Ownership of Private Jets Among PGA Tour Professionals?

In the world of professional golf, private jets have become as much a part of the game as clubs and balls. This article takes a look at the aviation exploits of some of the sport's biggest names.

Tiger Woods, one of the sport's most iconic figures, owns a Gulfstream G550 jet, a luxurious aircraft with its own bedroom and en suite shower. Woods purchased the jet for £48m in 2008, giving him the freedom to travel in style and comfort.

The Gulfstream G550 has a normal range of 6,580 nautical miles and a maximum speed of 488 knots per hour, making it an ideal choice for long-haul travel. Other top golfers, such as Phil Mickelson and Rory McIlroy, have also opted for Gulfstream jets.

Mickelson, whose father was a naval aviator, owned a Gulfstream V but later sold it due to logistical issues. McIlroy, on the other hand, now owns a second-hand Gulfstream G650ER. This model boasts a cabin height of 6ft 5in, width of 8ft 6in, and length of 46ft 10in, providing ample space for the golfer and his team.

McIlroy, conscious of his carbon footprint, now invests in schemes to offset the emissions from his jet travel. In contrast, Woods has not been as vocal about his environmental practices, but his jet allows him to maintain a busy tournament schedule.

The flight schedules for these tournaments are carefully managed by tournament transport managers, who work out the best times for golfers to travel based on their exit times and destinations. This ensures that all golfers can arrive at tournaments fresh and ready to play.

Arnold Palmer, a seven-time Major winner and a pilot with nearly 20,000 flight hours, was one of the first golfers to embrace aviation. In 1976, he, Jim Bir, and Bill Purkey circumnavigated the globe in a business jet, breaking a previous record. Palmer was described as a very good pilot, and his love for flying was evident in his numerous aviation ventures.

Some golfers, such as Ernie Els and Steve Marino, have formed strong friendships through shared jet travel. Els, who also owns a private jet, became good friends with Marino after they spent 15 hours together on a flight. However, their camaraderie was tested during the flight when they had a physical altercation.

NetJets, the 'Official Private Jet Provider of the PGA Tour', partners with 50 tour golfers, providing them with the convenience of private jet travel. Other golfers, such as Jon Rahm and some others, use VistaJet for their private jet needs.

Many PGA Tour golfers are based in Orlando, Florida, which helps with flight logistics. This central location means that golfers can easily travel to and from tournaments, ensuring that they can maintain their busy tournament schedules.

While some golfers own their own private jets, others prefer to use private jet providers like NetJets and VistaJet. Regardless of their preferred mode of travel, one thing is certain: private jets have become an essential part of the golfing world.