The life of a PGA Tour player can appear luxurious when they’re at the top of leaderboards week in and week out.
The vehicle of prize money has been oiled more than ever to attract players with LIV Golf and the PGA Tour proving the prime examples in the last 12 months.
But each week, the expenses add up and tour player Ben Griffin broke down the details of his expenses on his TikTok account.
Griffin earned his first PGA Tour card in 2022 after finishing 15th in the Korn Ferry Tour Eligibility Points List.
He reached the FedEx Cup Playoffs in his debut season but bowed out at the FedEx St. Jude Championship. A solid season nonetheless in which Griffin banked $2,008,294.
This level of earnings is alien to the vast majority of us, but on a weekly basis, this figure can be dwarfed by the extent of expenditure that a PGA Tour player must fork out.
Griffin describes his expense costs as “the lower end,” meaning players at the top end of the earnings list could spend a lot more.
If you click on the image below, the link will take you to Griffin’s full video – one of many he’s posted on his TikTok account.
Ben Griffin PGA Tour expenses
Clubs: Free
Golf balls and gloves: Free
Airfare: Two flights, $500-$1500
Hotels: 7 nights, $1200-$4000 (names Hawaii and Phoenix as particularly expensive places to stay)
Food: $500-$700 (doesn’t drink alcohol during tournament week)
Caddy: $2000 + a percentage of earnings with made cuts
Gas: $50-$100
Locker room: $50-$3000
Other tips: $100-$200
Total: $4000 a week + caddie expenses = approx. $6000
Additional expenses
Coaches fees
Trainer fees
Private jets
Paying for significant others/families to travel with them (flights, food, more hotel rooms/larger homes, childcare, etc.)
Are you surprised by Ben Griffin’s career earnings and expenses on the tour in 2023? Tell us on X, formerly Twitter!
Advertisement
NOW READ: What is a Signature event?
NOW READ: PGA Tour schedule 2024
Advertisement