This paper improves upon the methods for modelling the determinants of PGA TOUR golfers’ performance-based earnings by incorporating the most recent and accurate PGA TOUR statistics while controlling for year and individual fixed effects. Using a panel of golfers from the 2004 through 2011 PGA TOUR seasons, I find that a one standard deviation improvement in putting renders the average golfer 27 percent additional earnings; meanwhile, the same degree of improvement in driving distance offers only 14 percent more earnings. Even as PGA TOUR golf course yardages and driving distances continue to grow, this study shows that improved driving distance yields are no greater than those to scrambling, greens in regulation, or strokes gained-putting.

Each year the top 125 players on the PGA TOUR money list receive fully exempt status for the upcoming season. Past literature looks at the determinants that led to success for the top professionals on the PGA TOUR. Instead, I look at the determinants of finishing inside the top 125 on the PGA TOUR money list and retaining one’s TOUR card. I analyze the difference both statistically and in future earnings between finishing 100-125th on the money list and 126-150th. This paper finds that greens and regulation and putting have the largest effect on retaining a TOUR card while driving distance and accuracy are significant but at a much lower level. Future studies should look into the tradeoff between playing on the PGA TOUR and less marque tours like the Web.com as it can affect one’s earnings greatly.

This study compares the predictive ability of newly introduced strokes gained measures on PGA Tour earnings performance with that of more conventional golf statistics. It is found that the strokes gained measures explain slightly more of the variability in the distribution of earnings. Strokes gained on the approach shot are determined to be the most valuable relative to the other strokes gained metrics.

The productivity of individuals can be altered by cognitive environmental factors such as those that induce psychological pressure. The goal of this analysis is to determine the extent to which a selection of variables influences an individual’s perception of pressure and its subsequent effect on productivity. To do so, the performance of golfers under pressure on the PGA TOUR was proxied using the scrambling percentage statistic. Two regressions, one using data from players who were cut at the end of the second round and the other using data from players who were not cut at the end of the second round, were used to study how golfers’ scrambling percentage for a given round was influenced by changes in experience, time, rank, tournament prestige, and their expected future performance. An increase in variables representing tournament prestige, tournament round number, and player position on the leader board lead to an increase in pressure which in turn leads to poorer subsequent performance. On the other hand, an increase in player experience and the knowledge that a player would be cut at the end of the second round tend to decrease pressure and increase player performance.