Determinants of Professional Golf Tournament Earnings

Abstract

This paper examines the structure of the three professional golf tours and the factors that are most important in determining the earnings of professional golfers. The results show that the greater level of competition on the men's tour, relative to the senior and women's tours indicate that a solid well-rounded game is necessary for success on the men's tour. In addition, the weaker level of competition on the women's and senior's tours, coupled with the shorter, less demanding golf courses played on these tours indicates that the seniors and the women can succeed by attaining sound iron games and becoming good putters.