The Business of Golf

These days, golf tournaments are multi-million dollar creations. Professionals play for a total prize fund in excess of $3million. The size of these modern day prize funds dwarf those of two decades ago, when players would play for anything in the region of $500,000. However, the majority of a player's money is made away from the golf course. Tiger Woods, for instance, makes around $10million a year in winnings. That is a tiny amount compared to the $100million he reportedley makes from companies such as Nike, AMEX and Buick. These huge endorsement contracts are fairly common these days, with collegeiate golfers being offered millions of dollars to cut their college careers short and move into the pro ranks. The main complaint many people have around the world is that modern players are more concerned about their pay check than actually winning tournaments, which may be the case with some professionals. However, the majority would still play golf whether they earn't money for it or not. The game of golf is not just a money making business in the USA. Professional golf is spreading at astounding rates all around the globe with prize funds raising by the year in China, Australia and Europe. The driving force for such an astounding increase in money is largely down to one man; Tiger Woods, he has changed the face of the modern game. He has made it "cool" to play golf. Some say he isn't just an ambassador for golf but can touch people much further a field than on the golf course.