August 27, 2025
Over the weekend Teresa and I were watching the PGA FedEx Tour Championship when curiosity got the better of me.
What do the top ten golfers in the world really earn?
I knew it was a lot. I didn't know Scottie Scheffler, number one last year, pulled in more than sixty million dollars. Sixty million, just for swinging a stick at a little white ball.
Even golfers ranked around 50th average three million a year. That's more than most CEOs who spend their days chained to Zoom calls and living in airports. A golfer, by contrast, does his "work" on some of the most beautiful courses in the world, surrounded by polite fans who clap instead of boo, and often heads home in a private jet.
Golf vs. Other Sports
How does golf compare?
The average NFL player makes $2.7 million a year. Nice, but the average career lasts just three years.
Baseball players average a bit over $4 million. Basketball stars do the best at $10 million, though there are only 450 roster spots in the entire NBA.
Golf? Hundreds of pros make a living, and new faces break through every season. Nobody's going to tackle you, foul you, or leave you concussed.
The Endorsement Jackpot
Then there's endorsement money.
Tiger Woods earned over a billion in his career, most of it off the course. Rory McIlroy makes $30 million a year just from sponsors.
Even mid-tier players add millions for the right logo on a hat or bag.
And the women are cashing in too. Nelly Korda pulled in over $6 million last year including endorsements. Lydia Ko has career winnings north of $17 million, plus sponsor deals. That's a healthy living in any household.
Longevity and Lifestyle
Another edge: golf careers can last decades. Phil Mickelson was the PGA Champion at 50. Bernhard Langer is still winning tournaments in his 60s. Few sports let you earn that long.
And then there's the travel. One week Scotland, the next Pebble Beach, then on to Japan or Dubai. For the top players, it's private jets and five-star hotels.
For the rest, it's still a chance to see the world doing what you love.
Why Kids Should Give It a Try
So, if you're encouraging your kids to dream big, why not point them toward a game that pays millions, lasts a lifetime, and teaches patience, focus, and discipline?
Worst case, they gain a sport they can play forever. Best case, they discover a swing that takes them to Augusta and beyond.
Which brings me back to the question: Why should kids swing golf clubs?
Because if they can figure out how to swing it the fewest number of times in 18 holes, they'll have the chance at a life of travel, money, and fame... not to mention the satisfaction of avoiding the fate I face every weekend: getting outplayed by my wife, Teresa, whose handicap is 10.
