The business of golf is routinely one of the most talked-about aspects of the game. How many people are playing each year, how often and how much are they spending? Is golf dying, why or why not? These questions are the topic of debate and articles on a daily basis all over the world, but one that routinely flies under the radar is the cost of working in the industry.
According to a recently released Golf Digest report, golf in the United States is nearly a $70 billion per year industry with over $55 billion paid out in annual wages. From some of the top executives at global organizations such as the PGA Tour, PGA of America and USGA, to the average salary for a club pro, a superintendent and even the guys in the bag room, here are some highlights of what their reporting showed about who gets paid what in golf.
Compensation figures are a mix of 2014 and 2015 and in some cases include bonuses and benefits. Compiled using the latest organizational tax returns available, salary surveys conducted by the PGA of America and Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and interviews.
Tim Finchem
Outgoing Commissioner, PGA Tour
$5,655,352
Wally Uihlein
President and CEO, Acushnet (owner of Titleist and FootJoy)
$4,978,638 (includes base salary of $995,200, plus bonus and other incentive pay)
Oliver (Chip) Brewer III
President and CEO, Callaway Golf
$4,305,268 (includes base salary of $750,000, plus stock awards and other incentive pay)
Jay Monahan
Incoming Commissioner, PGA Tour
$2,116,875
Pete Bevacqua
CEO, PGA of America
$1,444,331
Ty Votaw
Chief Marketing Officer, PGA Tour
$1,252,536
Michael Whan
Commissioner, LPGA Tour
$966,742
Mike Davis
Executive Director, USGA
$854,803
Kerry Haigh
Chief Championships Officer, PGA of America
$744,260
Tournament director
Mid-level PGA Tour event
$200,000
PGA Tour caddie
What you might expect to make if your player finished 40th on the money list
$161,332
Superintendent
National average, private course
$103,359
Maintenance staff up early prepping for another busy day here at Troon North Golf Club! #golf #sunrise #troonnorth pic.twitter.com/ntUix9GOzh
— Troon North GC (@TroonNorthGC) January 23, 2016
Director of instruction
National average, private course
$82,841
Head golf professional
National average, private course
$73,488
Teaching professional
National average
$53,717
LPGA Tour caddie
What you might expect to make if your player finished 40th on the money list
$53,000
Mower
Midwest public course
$18,000 (works four days a week and may play golf for free weekdays after 1 p.m.)
Groundskeeper
National average
$10.41 per hour
Golf-club cleaner
Private club
Minimum wage, plus tips
Tournament volunteer
PGA Tour
$0 (Typically free admission, food and sometimes a free round after the tournament.)
———
Be sure to follow us on Twitter @SwingbySwing and Like Us on Facebook.
