Scottie Scheffler, the world No. 1 golfer, had an extraordinary 2024 season, earning a staggering $29,228,357, including a $1 million win at the Hero World Challenge. While such numbers make headlines and paint a glamorous picture of professional golf, they obscure a harsh reality for many on the PGA Tour: survival on tour comes with eye-watering expenses that can drain even respectable earnings.
Michael Kim, a PGA Tour professional and world No. 151, provided a rare glimpse into the financial realities faced by most players. Despite career earnings of over $7 million, including $1.48 million in 2024, Kim’s profit margins tell a different story. The 31-year-old played 30 tournaments in 2024 and spent $92,698 on travel alone.
Unlike top stars flying private or business class, Kim revealed his travel expenses were almost entirely for economy-class tickets. “Zero dollars spent on private flights, and rarely business class,” he shared, emphasizing that his costs were likely modest compared to those of higher-ranked players.
Kim added humor to his revelation, joking, “At least I’m racking up some credit card points!” But the numbers are no laughing matter for many golfers who, like Kim, often hover on the cut line and miss out on the largest payouts.
Breaking Down the Costs
The expenses don’t stop at flights. Tour players are responsible for:
• Caddies: Often receiving 8-10% of winnings, top-level caddies can earn hundreds of thousands annually. Not to mention they receive a salary
• Hotels: Costs can skyrocket for multi-day tournaments, especially at prestigious venues.
• Meals and Nutrition: Staying competitive requires consistent, often costly, investments in health and wellness.
• Coaches and Support Staff: Many players hire swing coaches, trainers, and mental health professionals.
When combined, these costs can eat into earnings significantly, especially for players who don’t consistently make cuts or win big.
High Pressure, Thin Margins
Kim’s performance in 2024 highlights the razor-thin margins for most tour players. Despite making the cut in just over half of his events, his best finish was a tie for fifth at the Shriners Children’s Open. For many in his position, weeks of grinding without a paycheck are common, as missing the cut means no earnings—despite the fixed costs of showing up to compete.
While players like Scheffler dominate headlines with astronomical earnings, the average professional golfer is navigating a delicate balance between success and financial strain. Even a single missed cut can mean thousands lost on travel, caddie fees, and other expenses.
Is It All Worth It?
For fans, professional golf appears glamorous, but the stories of players like Michael Kim reveal a more sobering reality. While the sport can produce millionaires, it also demands a relentless commitment that can leave many teetering on the edge of profitability.
In Kim’s words, “Can’t imagine some of the top guys’ costs.” If $92,000 in travel expenses for economy flights seems steep, imagine what life is like for those flying private jets and juggling larger support teams.
Professional golf may offer dreamlike rewards for a select few, but for many, it’s a relentless grind—a high-stakes game where even success comes with a hefty price tag.