What is a Golf Season in the PGA and its significance?

[Chris223]

I consider myself a pretty big fan of the televised pga events.  But even still my interest does wane on the tournaments a week before and after majors and in October, November and December.

I'd prefer a shorter season.  There is value in a period of going without and the built up anticipation for the beginning of the next season.  It creates excitement.  I'd bet the same would be true for both the fans and the tour players.

Now this I am more curious about.  As typically the tournaments held the week before a major often have many of the top players going to major playing in them because they use it as a preparation week.  Often times the TOP players (like top 15-20 OWGR) do not play the week immediately after.  I think that makes tournaments the week before a major or big event better to watch than tournaments that are truly right in the middle of the gap between majors - these are often fields loaded with players anywhere from 100-1,000 in the OWGR

[MEfree]

Now that I think about it, I actually agree with you.  More tournaments gives more golfers the opportunity to compete, but this isn't a charity, its a professional sports league.  Shorten the season... Maybe in the range of 20 tournaments w/ the 4 majors.  Gives more umph to the non-majors.   But.... I feel like everyone involved in the PGA would take the opposite stance, especially sponsors who would be in jeopardy of losing a tournament.  $$$$$ talks.

The PGA Tour might not be a "charity" but it is registered as a non-profit with the following mission- Mission Statement THE PGA TOUR, INC.'S PRINCIPAL MISSION IS TO PROMOTE THE SPORT OF PROFESSIONAL GOLF THROUGH SANCTIONING AND ADMINISTERING GOLF TOURNAMENTS, AND PROMOTING THE COMMON INTERESTS OF TOURING GOLF PROFESSIONALS. THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED BY PROVIDING COMPETITIVE EARNINGS OPPORTUNITIES FOR PAST, CURRENT, AND FUTURE MEMBERS OF THE PGA TOUR, INC., CHAMPIONS TOUR, AND WEB.COM TOUR (FORMERLY KNOWN AS NATIONWIDE TOUR); PROTECTING THE INTEGRITY OF THE GAME; AND HELPING GROW THE REACH OF THE GAME IN THE U.S. AND AROUND THE WORLD. While you may have a bit more interest as a fan in any events that are left after shortening the season, shortening the season will definitely result in fewer competitive earning opportunities and will mean fewer communities will be able to host professional tournaments. While you might not care about the PR Open, Mayakoba, or the tournament in Jackson, MS, there are probably some locals who enjoy attending these events and maybe some kids who take up the game as a result. In communities that don't have major professional sports teams, these events get good billing on the local news, probably more than the major championships do. As was also mentioned, there are likely local charities who benefit as well. Edit- I'd like to add that Jordan Spieth's first top 10 came in the PR Open which was a large contributor to him getting special temporary membership on the PGA Tour. His win at the John Deere, the week before a major, got him regular membership and a place in the Fed Ex Cup playoffs. Fewer tournaments would mean fewer opportunities for up and coming players.

[Hatchman]

Simply put tax year to tax year - both players and sponsors.