Number of PGA Tour Events Annually
← Major Golf Events & Tournaments | Professional Tour Championships
BLOCKQUOTE_0
Quick Answer
- The PGA Tour typically rolls out about 40 to 50 official tournaments each year.
- This count includes the regular season grind, the four majors, and the thrilling FedExCup Playoffs.
- Don’t expect the exact same number every single year; it can flex a bit.
Who This Is For
- Die-hard golf fans who like to keep track of the whole season’s schedule.
- Anyone looking to understand the professional golf landscape, from aspiring pros to bettors.
What to Check First
- Official PGA Tour Schedule: Your first stop needs to be PGATour.com. That’s the gospel truth for event dates and locations.
- The Four Majors: Pencil in The Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open, and The Open Championship. These are the big dogs, always part of the year.
- FedExCup Playoffs Structure: Know that these final, high-stakes events are indeed part of the official PGA Tour count. They crown the champ.
- Tour Specificity: Make sure you’re looking at PGA Tour events, not other tours like the Korn Ferry or DP World Tour. Different circuits, different numbers.
How Many PGA Events in a Year: The Full Picture
Figuring out how many PGA events happen in a year is pretty straightforward, but you gotta know where to look. It’s not just a static number; it’s a dynamic schedule that keeps golf fans hooked from February through September, and sometimes even a bit beyond. I mean, who doesn’t love a full year of golf?
Step-by-Step Plan to Determine How Many PGA Events in a Year
1. Navigate to the Source: Head straight to the official PGA Tour website, PGATour.com. Look for a section clearly labeled “Schedule” or “Tournaments.” Mistake to avoid: Don’t waste your time on unofficial fan sites or old forums. They can be outdated and lead you astray.
2. Scope the Entire Season: Once you’re in the schedule section, make sure you’re viewing the entire current season. Don’t just glance at the next month or two; you need the full picture from start to finish. Mistake to avoid: Thinking you can just eyeball a few months and get the total. The whole year counts.
3. Count All Official Tournaments: Systematically go through the listed events and tally them up. This includes all the regular-season stroke play events, invitationals, and any special format tournaments that are officially sanctioned. Mistake to avoid: Missing events that might seem less prominent. Every official event counts towards the total.
4. Factor in the Major Championships: The four majors – The Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open, and The Open Championship – are always part of the PGA Tour schedule. Ensure they are included in your count. They’re the pillars of the golf season. Mistake to avoid: Assuming majors are separate from the tour schedule. They are absolutely integral.
5. Include the FedExCup Playoffs: Don’t forget the FedExCup Playoffs. This crucial series of three events (The Northern Trust, BMW Championship, and the TOUR Championship) culminates the PGA Tour season and is absolutely counted in the annual total. Mistake to avoid: Overlooking the playoffs. These are some of the most important events of the year.
6. Verify the Total: If the PGA Tour website provides a summary count for the season, cross-reference your tally with theirs. This helps catch any missed events or miscounts. Mistake to avoid: Rushing the count. A quick double-check ensures accuracy.
7. Note Any Changes: Keep an eye out for any last-minute additions or cancellations. While rare, schedules can sometimes be adjusted. The official site will always have the latest info. Mistake to avoid: Relying on a count you did weeks ago without checking for updates.
The Factors Behind the Number of PGA Tour Tournaments Annually
Understanding how many PGA Tour tournaments annually are on the docket involves looking at a few key elements that shape the professional golf calendar. It’s a well-orchestrated dance of tradition, player development, and season-ending drama.
Common Mistakes
- Mistake: Assuming the number of PGA Tour events is fixed year after year.
- Why it matters: The PGA Tour schedule is a living document. Courses change, international commitments shift, and sometimes new events are added or old ones are retired. Relying on a past number is a recipe for being out of the loop.
- Fix: Always, and I mean always, check the official PGA Tour website for the current year’s schedule. It’s the only way to get the definitive answer.
- Mistake: Confusing PGA Tour events with those on other professional golf tours.
- Why it matters: The PGA Tour is just one piece of the professional golf puzzle. There are other major tours like the DP World Tour (formerly European Tour), the LPGA Tour, and developmental tours like the Korn Ferry Tour. Each has its own distinct schedule and number of events.
- Fix: Be precise in your search and your questions. Specify “PGA Tour” if that’s the tour you’re interested in. This avoids confusion and ensures you’re looking at the right data.
- Mistake: Forgetting to count the FedExCup Playoffs as official PGA Tour events.
- Why it matters: The FedExCup Playoffs are the climax of the PGA Tour season. These three high-stakes tournaments are where the FedExCup champion is crowned, and they represent a significant portion of the tour’s competitive calendar and prestige.
- Fix: Make sure to add the three playoff events to your total count. They are integral to the PGA Tour’s annual structure and are always included in the official event tally.
- Mistake: Relying on old news articles or outdated fan wikis for the schedule.
- Why it matters: Golf schedules are not set in stone for eternity. Events can be added, moved, or dropped. An article from five years ago might be wildly inaccurate for today’s schedule.
- Fix: Prioritize official sources. PGATour.com is your best friend. If you see a number elsewhere, cross-reference it immediately with the official site.
- Mistake: Only counting the “regular season” events and ignoring the majors and playoffs.
- Why it matters: The four major championships are the most prestigious events in golf and are considered official PGA Tour events. Similarly, the FedExCup Playoffs are the culmination of the season and are vital to the tour’s narrative. Ignoring them gives you an incomplete picture.
- Fix: When asked about the number of PGA Tour events, always include the majors and the playoff tournaments in your calculation. They are core components of the tour’s annual offering.
- Mistake: Not differentiating between PGA Tour co-sanctioned events and events from other tours that PGA Tour players might compete in.
- Why it matters: Sometimes PGA Tour players compete in events sanctioned by other tours (like the DP World Tour). While they might earn world ranking points or even FedExCup points in some cases, the event itself might not be counted as a primary PGA Tour event for the annual tally.
- Fix: Stick to the official PGA Tour schedule on PGATour.com. This lists only the events that are part of the tour’s primary calendar.
FAQ
- How many official PGA Tour events are there usually?
Typically, the PGA Tour hosts between 40 and 50 official events each year. This number includes regular season tournaments, the four major championships, and the three FedExCup Playoff events.
- Does the number of PGA Tour events change each year?
Yes, the exact number of events can fluctuate slightly from one season to the next. This variation is due to factors like course availability, scheduling adjustments, and the addition or removal of specific tournaments.
- Are the major championships included in the total count of PGA Tour events?
Absolutely. The four major championships – The Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open, and The Open Championship – are considered official PGA Tour events and are always part of the annual schedule and total count.
- What are the FedExCup Playoffs, and are they counted?
The FedExCup Playoffs are a series of three high-stakes tournaments held at the end of the PGA Tour season. They are designed to determine the FedExCup champion and are definitely counted as official PGA Tour events.
- Where is the most reliable place to find the current PGA Tour schedule?
The most accurate and up-to-date source for the PGA Tour schedule is always the official PGA Tour website, PGATour.com. It’s updated regularly with all the latest information.
- Do events on other professional golf tours count towards the PGA Tour total?
No, events on other professional tours, such as the DP World Tour or the Korn Ferry Tour, do not count towards the official number of PGA Tour events annually. You need to look specifically at the PGA Tour’s schedule.
Sources:
Michael Reeves is a PGA Professional with over 20 years of experience in competitive golf and instruction. A former Division I collegiate player at the University of Texas, he competed on the mini-tours before transitioning to full-time coaching and golf journalism. He has been a certified PGA teaching professional since 2005 and has worked with players at every level, from absolute beginners to collegiate champions.
His writing has appeared in Golf Digest, Golf Magazine, and The Left Rough. At GolfHubz, Michael leads the editorial team, overseeing fact-checking and ensuring every answer meets the same standard he demands on the lesson tee: clear, evidence-based, and immediately useful.
When he’s not writing or teaching, Michael plays to a +1.4 handicap at his home club in Austin, Texas. He has attended over 40 major championships as a journalist and fan, and has played more than 200 courses across 15 countries.
You can reach Michael at [email protected] or follow his occasional swing analysis posts on the site.