Considering the number of miles that professional golfers travel over the course of a year, is it any surprise they fly in private jets?
Think about the PGA Tour schedule, for example. The year begins in Hawaii, and events have been held all over the United States. They go to Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Japan, Bermuda and the Bahamas too.
Throw in the Genesis Scottish Open and the Open Championship, which are both sometimes in Scotland, as well as the Olympic Games every so often, and that’s a lot of travel!
Some players play for weeks on end as well, without taking breaks. There isn’t any time for going through the rigmarole of commercial flights. Private jets are like buses, and private airfields are like bus stops to these guys. They can be among the clouds minutes after holing their final putt on the 18th green.
You will probably see NetJets pasted on the sleeve of PGA Tour players when you watch the action on television. It is the largest private aviation company in the world and will be the official jet provider for the PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions at least until 2028.
So without further delay, let’s dive into which of the most famous figures in the game use a private jet.
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Which current golfers fly on private jets?
Those at the very top of the game, and therefore earning the most money through both results and sponsorships, are the ones who tend to own the nicest private jets.
We have taken a look at some of the best-known golfers who own private jets…
Tiger Woods
Arguably the most dominant golfer of all time, with 15 majors to his name, Tiger Woods is the owner of a Gulfstream 550.
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The American spent more than $50 million on the jet, one that can fly close to 8,000 miles and carry up to 20 people at a time. Just make friends with Tiger instead of buying your own, right?
Phil Mickelson
Now in his 50s, Phil Mickelson is a six-time major champion, with wins at the PGA Championship, Open Championship and Masters Tournament.
He made golfing history at the former in 2021, when he took victory at Kiawah Island. He became the oldest men’s major champion in history, winning the PGA Championship at the age of 50.
‘Lefty’ is another member of the golfing fraternity to own a Gulfstream jet. Mickelson, who now plays in the LIV Golf League, has a Gulfstream V, which can travel around 7,500 miles.
Rory McIlroy
A four-time major champion and one of his generation’s best, it is no surprise that Rory McIlroy – who plays golf on both the PGA Tour and DP World Tour each year – has a private jet.
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He is the only multiple winner of the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai and the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup, showing he travels a lot to different parts of the world to be successful.
The Northern Irishman owns a Bombardier Challenger, which costs in the region of $30 million.
Jack Nicklaus
The only man to have won more major championships than Woods is the great Jack Nicklaus, and he is someone that has owned a number of private jets throughout his life.
According to jetfinder.com, Nicklaus has owned jets from a number of different companies – including Gulfstream, Cessna, JetStar and Lears.
The American, now well into his 80s, has not just relaxed on these jets. He also has both a pilots and a helicopter licence, allowing him to fly a number of different planes, jets and choppers.
Greg Norman
Australian Greg Norman was one of the first golfers to move into flying on private jets. His first was a Lockheed JetStar, which was one of the first private jets to ever be produced.
The Aussie, who has won two majors and gone on to become the CEO of the LIV Golf League, and he has now owned at least seven private jets in his lifetime.
Jordan Spieth
Jordan Spieth, a three-time major champion, reportedly owns a Cessna Citation X. The Model 750 made its maiden flight in 1993, and its primary users are NetJets, XOJET, AirX Charter and Wheels Up.
Spieth won his first major title at the 2015 Masters, and he won the US Open later that year. He won The Open at Royal Birkdale two years later, and since he has risen to stardom, he has no doubt used this jet to get him from many different points A’s to many different points B’s.
Sergio Garcia
The 2017 Masters champion is said to have purchased a Hawker 4000 business jet, which burned a $22.9 million-shaped hole in his wallet, in 2012. The jet reportedly has four flat beds, which are seven feet long.
Garcia reportedly entered the private aviation world in 1999.
“We could have bought any plane we wanted, but with the 4000, we’re buying a midsize jet with the capability and systems and electronics that you get on a bigger plane and a range that [lets us] get anywhere in the U.S. from Spain with one stop. And it was a lot more affordable. We’re thrilled that we took that decision, because it’s been great. It’s an awesome plane,” he added in an interview.
Arnold Palmer
The King, who won seven majors during his iconic career, began his passion for flying with lessons in a single-engine Cessna 172. In 1961, he allegedly bought an Aero Commander 500 to use for circulating the tour.
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He then purchased the Aero Commander 560F in 1963 and the Rockwell Jet Commander in 1966.
Scottie Scheffler
Some of the world’s top golfers opt to charter flights instead of owning a private jet. This simply means that golfers may rent a whole plane for a specific trip, enabling increased flexibility, without the constraints of outright owning a jet.
Four-time major champion Scottie Scheffler is partnered with NetJets, who tend to many tour pros. Scheffler was able to make a quick getaway following his 2024 Masters victory, as his wife, Meredith, was due to give birth to their son, Bennett.
This highlights the benefit of chartering flights, and the American’s partnership with NetJets makes it a seamless process. It also enables golfers to potentially share journeys, depending on where they reside during non-tournament weeks. The volume of air miles required to play in competitions all over America alone is extraordinary, making air travel a significant component of the logistical routine of professional golfers.
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Are you surprised that golfers travel on private jets these days? Or does it surprise you that more golfers do not? Let us know your thoughts with a post on X, formerly Twitter!
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