Cost of Being A Tour Player

[golfday]

I saw this fluff piece on golf.com earlier today, and I don't see how it can be accurate. I'm curious if anyone plugged in has more insight.

 

https://golf.com/lifestyle/how-much-top-tier-pga-tour-players-spend/

 

Article says a top 30 players golf related expenditures in a year (travel, coaches, etc.) is estimated to be between $1.88MM and $2.08MM. That seemed really high to me. That's more than 50% of of the tour earnings that guy in the 20 - 30 range on PGA tour will make in a season, and the guys in that range aren't getting huge endorsement deals anymore either.

[DFS PFD]

I'm sure there are ways to make expenditures get that high, these guys can deduct some of these travel business expenses from taxes. So minimum cost to actually be a Tour player versus what a top 30 perennial player may end up spending can be very very different numbers. Regardless, if you are playing almost every week, it's going to be extremely expensive. 

[Hawkeye77]

Kind of had the kitchen sink in there with the chef thing and who knows what trainers and masseuses get paid, but left out what it costs for an agent if they have one (so that’s a decent sum) and whomever they pay a lot to sort out all the income tax issues and review contracts if it’s not the agent. 
 

Definitely don’t take home what they win on the course, but income isn’t limited to that, either.

 

So what costs are wrong if they pay for the services? 
 

 

Edited October 1, 2021 by Hawkeye77

[bscinstnct]

[Ferguson]

Questions about the real cost of being a tour player?

 

 

 

https://www.millenniallifecounseling.com/meet-our-team

 

[Soloman1]

Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer and Sam Snead are rolling in their graves.

[MtlJeff]

I'm not really buying that. Sounds like maybe they are taking anecdotal stuff of like the highest price someone pays for 1 thing and then making it seem like everyone spends that on everything

 

I really doubt most guys have private chefs.

Someone who was on tour told me they get free massages on site, this was a few years ago

I'm pretty sure some venues and sponsors help with travel costs for top players

 

etc

 

 

[Ironman_32]

Definitely inflated.

 

They do say after paying expenses/taxes, whatever a tour player makes with a finish they take home ~40%. 

 

Based on the article, take Lee Westwood, finished 30th on the  money list last year at ~$3.4M. If he pays his caddy a base fee of $2,500 per week (or $10,000 a month, or $120k a year if he pays every week) and 10% of all winnings ($340,000), Lee would have to play every week every week ($340,000 + $120,000 = $460,000) and pay his caddy a $40k year end bonus to hit $500K. Makes you think which caddy gets a million. 

 

Even private chef, they said $3k-$5k a week, $25k all in, even if its at the low end, do you only bring out a chef for 8 weeks a year. If you do, do you notice that you play better, if you do, why the chef every week, if you don't, why need the chef? Its not like the food the tour gives the players is old ham sandwiches and there are restaurants in every city. 

 

I feel this article just takes the highest that each player pays but made it seem like everyone pays that. For example, Patrick cantlay has back issues, probably pays his physio guy more than say a Max homa does. 

 

But also, being on the PGA tour is just a broader game of when guys make the NBA and have to support their extended family of like 25 people. I'm sure theres some range guy at a tourney that Rahm played in that worked 1 day and only got a tip of $30 and thinks Rahm is pretty cheap, but they have to take care of every volunteer tear, at every tourney on every day. It adds up. Yea they make a lot of money, but its always faster to spend it than earn it. 

[Ferguson]

1 minute ago, MtlJeff said:

I'm not really buying that. Sounds like maybe they are taking anecdotal stuff of like the highest price someone pays for 1 thing and then making it seem like everyone spends that on everything

 

I really doubt most guys have private chefs.

Someone who was on tour told me they get free massages on site, this was a few years ago

I'm pretty sure some venues and sponsors help with travel costs for top players

 

etc

 

 

 

 

Frugality doesn't fit nicely with a successful tour player's lifestyle and demands. 

 

It's like going to a hard rock concert after-party.  What's the first thing you see?

An endless table with all the drugs you can do. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[BIG STU]

1 minute ago, MtlJeff said:

I'm not really buying that. Sounds like maybe they are taking anecdotal stuff of like the highest price someone pays for 1 thing and then making it seem like everyone spends that on everything

 

I really doubt most guys have private chefs.

Someone who was on tour told me they get free massages on site, this was a few years ago

I'm pretty sure some venues and sponsors help with travel costs for top players

 

etc

 

 

I will also say it depends on what services their sponsors provide. Good example if say someone has Hilton or even Net Jets for a sponsor more than likely free Lodging or Air Travel. Say someone does not have those two big guns for sponsors a smaller company may pay for lodging etc and that company may have a corporate deal with say like Windham resorts. Me if I could play good enough Waffle House and Motel 6 and I would be happy

 

[Go Cougs]

23 minutes ago, Ferguson said:

Questions about the real cost of being a tour player?

 

 

 

https://www.millenniallifecounseling.com/meet-our-team

 

Liz and the team don't come cheap.  But then again, how can you measure the value of reaching one's true potential?

[NJBigFish22]

I would guess that travel and lodging are picked up on the sponsors dime, what I mean is that if you are sponsored by TaylorMade, besides clubs and clothing you may get $500K a year, which should cover those expenses.  If your sponsored by a hotel or a Netjets, you may get free lodging and reduce flight costs.

[dropkicked]

The Tour players get fed at the tournament.. literally getting 5 star meals no? I was at the Canadian Open one year as a corporate guest and I couldn't believe the spread they laid out in buffet style.. it was quite impressive and I was told this is a regular thing at most tour stops.

[Krt22]

1 hour ago, MtlJeff said:

I'm not really buying that. Sounds like maybe they are taking anecdotal stuff of like the highest price someone pays for 1 thing and then making it seem like everyone spends that on everything

 

I really doubt most guys have private chefs.

Someone who was on tour told me they get free massages on site, this was a few years ago

I'm pretty sure some venues and sponsors help with travel costs for top players

 

etc

 

 

Agreed. I doubt the top guys all have dedicated physio/trainers/coaches as well. All of those folks have multiple clients and I doubt they are getting hefty 6 figure sums from each of them, otherwise they would be out earning the players themselves. The only guys I can really see having that level of staffing is Tiger and maybe Rory just because their endorsement deals are massive. 

 

Im sure there are plenty in the top 30 that have significantly lower burn rates. The only consistent cost across the board is the caddy

[farmer]

The real question is whether a 4 hdcp can afford to be on tour.

[vandyfan]

$100k for a trainer??? SHEEEEEEESH!

[NJBigFish22]

1 minute ago, blackbdmillsaps said:

$100k for a trainer??? SHEEEEEEESH!

If your a professional athlete, and that person is solely working for you, traveling with you, $100K may actually be lower end.  Tom Brady, LeBron that spend a couple million on their bodies a year, there trainer is making a very good living.

[tiderider]

there ain't but a handful spending that kind of money on chefs and trainers ... top 30 includes a bunch of guys that are somewhat fit, at best ... if they're spending that kind of money, seems to me they're throwing it down the drain ... 

 

guarandamntee you this guy ain't spending $$$$ on trainers and chefs, and he's made $3 million the last two years ... 

Edited October 1, 2021 by tiderider

[isaacbm]

20 years ago I did it on about 40 to 50,000 a year. This is how I would break down today’s spending at an absolute Max. If you’re spending more than this you’re a maniac.

 

30 weeks of travel. 
$2000 per week condo

$3000 per week flights. (First class)

Maybe 10-15 grand per week if you’re flying NetJets

$1000 per week food. 
$500 per week car (but often zero if courtesy cars are provided)

$2000 per week caddy 

 

so that’s about $250,000

 

and that is living it up!

 

of course you could have a trainer but that to me is at home cost not travel cost. I suppose you could have a golf coach but again that doesn’t count as travel costs.

 

The guys on the corn ferry tour could easily travel 30 weeks for a grand total of $50,000.

Of course if you have a whole entourage and you’re travelling with your family and you’re weak minded and you need a coach and a trainer at every range session then you could get probably over half $1 million a year. Then add in net Jets and maybe year at 700,000. Makes sense if a guy is making 10 million a year because all of that could be written off against your income. In order to keep your card on tour last year it was still just under $1 million. So there’s no way in hell that anybody that is about 120th on the money list is going to be spending more than 20% of their income on expenses.

Edited October 1, 2021 by isaacbm

[Hawkeye77]

Another take FWIW. 
 

https://www.google.com/amp/s/golf.com/travel/big-time-bucks-heres-how-much-money-is-made-and-paid-by-the-average-tour-pro/
 

No idea but at least some other income and cost categories are guesstimated.

Edited October 1, 2021 by Hawkeye77

[ChipStrokes]

i’d also be really surprised if most

of these guys didn’t have corporations or LLCs set up as a way to make a good chunk of those expenses deductible at the end of the year 

[manku]

$150K a year for massages?

 

When did Robert Kraft join the tour?

[LeoLeo99]

1 hour ago, NJBigFish22 said:

If your a professional athlete, and that person is solely working for you, traveling with you, $100K may actually be lower end.  Tom Brady, LeBron that spend a couple million on their bodies a year, there trainer is making a very good living.

 

I played with a Tour trainer who is friend's with a friend of mine but we didn't discuss his compensation.  I was more interested in who's cool and who's not on Tour.  But he didn't seem like he was hurting.  

[tacklingdummy]

Perhaps some of top guys making 8 digits+ a year in earnings plus endorsements are dropping that kind of money, but those numbers looks super high. I can't see a lot of the top 30 players paying that kind of money for expenses. 

[golfortennis]

4 hours ago, BIG STU said:

I will also say it depends on what services their sponsors provide. Good example if say someone has Hilton or even Net Jets for a sponsor more than likely free Lodging or Air Travel. Say someone does not have those two big guns for sponsors a smaller company may pay for lodging etc and that company may have a corporate deal with say like Windham resorts. Me if I could play good enough Waffle House and Motel 6 and I would be happy

 

 

I just received notifications from both of these asking that you cease and desist with attempting to associate yourself with them. 

 

They have an image to keep up.  

 

(Heard from a friend, of course....)

 

[Bye]

I’m 50/50 on this, they are not going to slum it, and money is no issue. But I am sure they get a lot for free.
 

https://www.sportico.com/personalities/athletes/2021/highest-paid-golfers-2021-sponsors-woods-mickelson-mcilroy-1234632139/

 

I heard a story that a former major winner gets over $1 million just from his hat sponsor.

 

They all have “teams” now, it’s not going to be cheap to do things properly.

[2bGood]

4 hours ago, Krt22 said:

The only consistent cost across the board is the caddy

 

Matt Kuchar disagrees. 

 

2 hours ago, isaacbm said:

 

The guys on the corn ferry tour could easily travel 30 weeks for a grand total of $50,000.

 

 I assume this is one of the Chinese knock off tours. 

Edited October 1, 2021 by 2bGood

[Go Cougs]

 

Yeah, it's a fledgling tour in SE Asia.  The travel accommodations are quite modest as you can see, but all the corn you can eat.  

 

I could easily see 30 weeks of travel for well under $50K.

 

[NJBigFish22]

2 hours ago, ChipStrokes said:

i’d also be really surprised if most

of these guys didn’t have corporations or LLCs set up as a way to make a good chunk of those expenses deductible at the end of the year 

I’m sure every single player has an LLC, when your dealing with taxes in multiple states, expenses and everything else it only makes sense.  

[Ghostwedge]

6 hours ago, Ferguson said:

 

 

Frugality doesn't fit nicely with a successful tour player's lifestyle and demands. 

 

It's like going to a hard rock concert after-party.  What's the first thing you see?

An endless table with all the drugs you can do. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I've actually been to a few of those, its small buffet and drinks.

The "skittles" are in the bathroom. 😎