Does substantial prize money lure players in the game of golf?
Current world number one Rory McIlroy every one last year by winning the money list titles on both the PGA Tour and the European Tour. However, winning the titles is not the only thing that put McIlroy in the limelight, massive prize money also highlights
how players make a living by staying in the sport.
Golf is best known for its complex rules and regulations, but there are a number of factor that make it stand out among all the other sports. Prize money is a factor that has always drawn attention, as players who win events, walk away with eye-popping sums
of money.
In addition to prize money that lures most of the players, sponsor money also plays it role in making golf one of the most lucrative sports. However, there is a difference in the earnings of an amateur golfer and a professional one. Professional golfers
relatively make more money than amateurs, who often earn money by winning tournaments.
As for professional golfers, they usually make their living by playing events. For instance, players aligned with Professional Golf Association (PGA) get prize money out of a set amount, which is usually $5 million to $8 million.
The Tour maintains its own system to offer prize money. For regular tournaments, players who win events normally get from $1.5 million to $2 million. Moreover, players who fail to make the cut in an event are not entitled to receive prize money.
In addition to prize money for events, players also earn through sponsorships. Sponsor money varies according to players' credibility and fame. Moreover, the size of the entity offering sponsorship to players also decides the amount of the money.
For instance, Tiger Woods, who won 14 major championships, managed to get a sponsor from a well-known brand Rolex. The company struck a million-dollar deal with the former world number one.
Despite all the attraction attached to the sport, it is not easy for golfers to become professional players, as there is a complex process through which one can rise to the position where he or she can start making money.
Becoming a pro player to make money takes years of practice and consistency. Most players start their journey to reach the PGA qualifying stage, but few manage to move ahead.
Besides PGA Tour, which most of the players want to align themselves with, there are other tours that offer plenty of opportunity to players to make a living. Web.com Tour is also a good platform to start pro career. In addition to it, some players affiliate
themselves with professional clubs.
There are simple yet effective ways for players wishing to play golf to make a living. First off, improvement is key. Players cannot make headway unless they improve their game.
Since there is intense competitions on a bigger stage, player who lack necessary skills to compete, keep faltering and end up quitting the sport. Joining a professional coach can help a lot. The next step could be joining club professional, which is a quick
way to earn expertise such as swing, putts, etc.
Another factor that helps players to excel in their game is participation in amateur golf. Since amateur golf features a number of events in which players can gain necessary skills to reach professional golf arena.
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