$$$ Money $$$

Who thinks modern-day golfers make too much money?

Sometimes I just think $1-million odd is a rediculous amount of money to pick up for a win. $11-million in a year? In 2004 to keep your card on the US Tour, you needed to have made $575,000. That is SERIOUS money in anybody's language.

I remember how everyone buzzed when Curtis Strange won a million in a year ... now they can make that in a week.

I know not everyone makes that sort of money but even if you make the cut and finish last you make $10,000 or more. How I wish I had a PGA Tour card.

__________________
Golf is easy ... once you know how.
Graham Arnott, teaching professional
Kelrosa Golf Studios
www.kelrosagolf.com
Class 'A' PGA Member
Full Member: World Golf Teachers Federation (GB&I)

Graham,

I agree these large amounts of money make it hard for anyone else to get on the Tour because these guys have so much more on offer like, coaches,"experienced" caddies, guru's,training camps and of course unlimited sponsership, honestly I couldn't afford a ball a hole never mind anything else.

My hats off to any newcomer to any of the Tours, it takes bottle because until you get there your on the bread line like the rest of us.

I hear you moving to the UK, wait till you see what football players earn in the UK, Oh don't forget your umberella when you come. Reading is nice about 50 miles from me.


Ian.

I agree they deserve to earn lots of money for the effort put into their game alone, it's how much.

I have a question: Would a multi millionaire scratch golfer trying to break on to the tour find it easier than a average bloke off scratch who wife workes 60hrs a week to make ends meet.

Answer: the millionaire has less to worry about and can consentrate on golf alone, I would say this guy has more chance than the poor guy.

I just think that the tour is so rich that the average bods dream is getting further away because you can't afford the lifestyle untill you get there.



Ian.

Im with ricky and ian they put all the effort in and now they just getting back what they earned

It is too much money for the top players, but the rest of the field isn't making that type of cash. I think the best thing is that you have to win to get those paychecks. It creates even MORE motivation to work hard and be the best. Thankfully golf isn't like NFL/NBA/NHL where you only need a few good seasons and then sign a HUGE contract and then float until your next contract year.

Its just pretty much like the top football clubs like arsnal,chelsea etc!

I think the money is fair, these guys do work hard and they are idols for many. What I don't think fair is the amount of players who are good enough to go to the tour and will never have the chance. I have played golf with a guy who is 43 years old and has been a scratch golfer since he was 18, and has never had enough money to go into any competions around. just his normal saturday club ones.

A scratch golfer would never make it on tour. You would need a +5 or so handicap just to make the cut on tour. These guys on tour play courses with much more difficulty. Even if you played a tour course, it is MUCH more difficult on a PGA tourney weekend. The greens are twice as fast and the rough is twice as deep. You can bet Tiger and Vijay would shoot in the 50's if they played a regular municipal course.

yes they would have very low scores! because when a tournament is on a tour course every thing gets harder!

Its not too much all the effort they put in and money also not as many people would become golfers if they didnt get that money!

I agree and also the risks they put themselves through such as leaving school to take it up as a career deserves to be heavily rewarded

ABSOLUTELY they are making way too much money...don't even get me started on any sport and money, when teacher, military, firemen, EMT, etc..you know the backbone of our lifes are the most underpaid people in society. Pro golfers can come in dead last and make three times what the four groups I mentioned make in a year, and do it on a weekend, and these people worked at thier craft just as had as any golfer has worked. Which is one reason I admired Bobby Jones so much, for his time, he was rich, so he refused to turn pro, because he didn't want to take money from a tour pro trying to provide for his family. However having said that, I do think golfers in general give back more then any other sport to charities, which is good, but they really do need to start capping this stuff, and that apllies to all sports, because the bottom line, it's still just a GAME.

I read somewhere that a tour player break even point time he pays his caddies, couches and travel expenses (I am guessing first class )is around $200,000 a year.

I think that most of these guys deserve what they get, after all unlike other sports they only cash checks and garunteed a tour card when they earn such. It's not like baseball basketball where you sign a huge 10 yr contract and then get paid regardless. Then are able to milk a few extra yrs. out just based on your past glory.

Most of the borderline tour players have short careers and a lot of them have stories about risking everything in an attempt to get a tour card. There are also numerous stories of guys trying to attempt to get tour cards that have mortgaged homes, sleeping in cars, their families spending $100,000's to finance that chance so I do not begrudge the players who make it. Of course I do not feel sorry for those who do not as well. Sure Tiger,Phil and some other big names are over paid when you consider their endorsements etc. but they also are the players who bring in the money as well.

Bob

This is why there are so many mini tours or the nationwide tour. If they're good enough they should be able to win enough on these mini tours to finance their chance for a card. Plus it gets them some exposure to sponsors that are willing to take a chance on them.

I do think what they make for a single tournament is a lot. But if you win one tournament and finish outside the top 25 the rest of the year that money is probably only enough to finance you for the rest of the year and the next.

The other option is to play your way into some Open tournaments and do well there. That way you can get some exposure to sponsors as an amateur, and when your ready to turn pro you can get some sponsor money to finance you. If your good, a lot of sponsors will be willing to take a chance on you.

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A lot of people are making the point that they dont get to sign a major 10 year deal like in other sports, but you are forgetting about Sponsorship.
How much did Tiger get from Nike for the last deal?
$10mill?
That buys a few flights, especially when he doesnt have to pay for clothes or equipment.