Going to a PGA Tour event isn’t like going to a regular sporting event. You’re not sitting in one seat for hours. You’re walking, exploring, and choosing your adventure. So, picking the right kind of ticket matters.
There are various types of tickets available, depending on the type of experience you desire. Grounds passes are the most basic and affordable. These give you access to the course and let you roam freely. You can follow your favorite golfers, find a good spot near a hole, or explore the vendors and food tents.
If you’re looking for added comfort, consider upgrading to tickets that include clubhouse access, shaded hospitality tents, or VIP skyboxes. These cost more but offer extras like food, drinks, and a place to relax.
Before buying, think about how much time you want to spend walking and whether you want to be out in the sun all day. You can always start with a grounds pass and upgrade for another day if you want a different vibe.
Top PGA Tour Events to Watch in 2026
As we head into 2026, there are several must-see events on the 2026 PGA Tour schedule. Here are a few to look out for:
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The Masters at Augusta National: Always a fan favorite and one of the hardest tickets to get.
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The U.S. Open: Moves to a new course each year and brings in huge crowds.
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The PGA Championship: Known for competitive play and beautiful course settings.
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The Players Championship: Held at TPC Sawgrass, home to the iconic 17th hole island green.
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FedEx Cup Playoffs: Late-season events with high stakes and the top players in the world.
If you’re going to a PGA Tour event in 2026, these are great ones to plan a trip around. Some cities even host more than one event during the season, giving you multiple chances to go.
Book Travel Early to Get the Best Deals
Once you know which event you want to attend, book your hotel or Airbnb as soon as possible. Hotels near the golf course fill up fast, especially if you’re going to a PGA Tour event.
Many people don’t realize that going to a PGA Tour event means joining tens of thousands of fans, which causes local lodging to disappear months in advance. Booking early can also save you money.
Flights are another thing to plan early. Some tournaments are in smaller cities, which means fewer flight options. If you wait too long, you could end up paying more or flying at less convenient times.
Look at maps to see how far your hotel or Airbnb is from the course. A place that looks cheap may end up being far away, costing you more in gas or rideshare fees.
What Does Food Cost at a PGA Event?
Food and drinks can add up quickly. At most PGA Tour events, expect to pay around $12 to $18 for a meal and about $6 to $10 for drinks. Alcoholic drinks, especially cocktails or specialty beers, can cost $10 to $15 each.
Most courses have multiple food tents and beer gardens. Some even feature local restaurants or chefs. If you’re planning to be on the course all day, budget at least $30 to $50 per person for meals and drinks.
You can also bring your own snacks and refillable water bottles to save money. Just be sure to check the rules first, as each tournament has its own list of what’s allowed inside.
When to Go: First Days vs Final Rounds
Going on Thursday or Friday has a completely different feel than going on Saturday or Sunday.
Early Days (Thursday & Friday):
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Smaller crowds
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Easier to move around
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Cheaper tickets
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You get to see all the players before anyone misses the cut
Weekend Rounds (Saturday & Sunday):
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Bigger crowds and louder energy
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Players are more competitive and focused
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Good for watching leaders under pressure
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Easier to follow the final group and see the winner
If you’re looking for more access and fewer people, go early in the week. If you want the full high-stakes atmosphere, the final round on Sunday is a great time to go.
Explore the City Too
Don’t just go to the tournament. Take time to explore the city you’re visiting. Many PGA Tour stops are in great travel destinations.
Going to a tournament in San Diego? Spend time at the beach. Attending the Waste Management Phoenix Open? Stick around for the nightlife and desert hiking. Visiting The Players in Florida? You’re just a short drive from Jacksonville or St. Augustine.
Golf may be the main event, but these cities have a lot to offer. Local restaurants, shops, and attractions can make the trip more fun for non-golfers too.
What It Takes to Run a PGA Tour Event
Hosting a PGA Tour event is a massive operation. It takes months of planning and hundreds of staff and volunteers. The course is closed for days before the tournament for setup. Temporary buildings go up, media crews move in, and vendors prepare food and drinks for thousands of people.
There’s a crew for parking, one for media, one for ticketing, and one for player services. Many of the people working the event are volunteers. They help with everything from crowd control to scoring to running shuttles.
By the time the gates open to the public, the course has been transformed into a small city. Watching how smoothly it runs is part of the experience. It makes you appreciate the work that goes into making your day stress-free.
Parking and Getting There
Parking depends on the event. Some tournaments have on-site parking, but many use shuttle lots. These are large lots away from the course where you park and take a free shuttle in.
It’s smart to check the event’s website before you go. They’ll tell you where to park and what time the shuttles start. Give yourself extra time, especially in the mornings when everyone is arriving at once.
Rideshares like Uber or Lyft may be available, but they often have specific drop-off zones. Traffic can get backed up near the entrance, so plan ahead.
If you’re staying close to the course, walking or biking might be the easiest option. Some events even have bike parking areas.
The Atmosphere on the Course
The vibe at a PGA Tour event is unlike any other sport. It’s peaceful one moment and full of energy the next. Some holes are almost silent as a player lines up a clutch putt. Others, like the famous stadium hole at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, feel more like a concert. It’s this mix that makes going to a PGA Tour event such a unique and unforgettable experience.
From the moment you walk through the gates, there’s excitement in the air. Some tournaments have full fan villages with interactive games, food trucks, golf simulators, and even putting contests. If you’re bringing kids, there’s usually a family zone with mini golf, bounce houses, and shaded areas to take breaks. It’s designed so everyone has something to enjoy, even when they’re not watching golf.
One of the first stops for many fans is the official PGA Tour fan shop. It’s hard to miss. These are giant, pop-up stores filled wall to wall with high-end polos, hats, ball markers, golf towels, drinkware, and even limited-edition gear for that specific event. Everything is organized by brand or player. You might see fans crowding around racks of Tiger Woods gear or grabbing the latest Titleist hats. It’s easy to get caught up and walk out with a bag full of merch.
If you head to hole 1 early in the day, you’ll see the beginning of a player’s round. Watching a PGA Tour pro get announced on the tee box is something special. The starter announces their name, and then the entire crowd goes quiet. You can feel the tension. Then—boom—the swing. Clean, fast, and perfect. The ball launches off the clubface in a way most weekend golfers only dream of. The sound is crisp and pure. It’s not like anything you hear at your local course.
You can also catch players warming up at the driving range. Most tournaments have bleachers or standing areas where fans can quietly watch the best in the world go through their routines. You’ll see players working through every club in the bag, shaping shots, and checking distance control. Nearby, at the putting green, they’re grinding on all kinds of drills—short putts, long lags, tricky breaks. It’s a rare chance to see just how much work goes into being great.
And the course? It’s pristine. PGA Tour setups are different from what everyday golfers experience. The fairways are tighter. The greens are lightning fast. The rough is deep and sticky. Every blade of grass looks like it’s been trimmed with scissors. Even the sand in the bunkers is smoother than what you’d see at a regular course. Everything is done to make the tournament feel like a major event.
But what really brings it all together is the crowd. Even if you’ve never played golf, being around thousands of people who love the sport is exciting. You’ll hear cheers from other holes echoing across the course. You’ll overhear fans debating who hits the longest drives or who has the best putting stroke. There’s a sense of respect, focus, and community that makes the entire day feel bigger than just a game.
Whether you’re standing behind the ropes watching your favorite player or sitting in a grandstand with a cold drink in hand, you’ll feel it. The atmosphere at a PGA Tour event is special. It’s something every sports fan should experience at least once.
Expert Tips to Make the Most of Your Day
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Arrive early: You’ll beat the crowds and have the best choice of where to watch.
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Choose a hole: Instead of walking the whole time, pick a scenic or action-packed hole and stay there. Par 3 holes are great for excitement.
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Check the rules: Each event has its own rules about what you can bring. Common banned items include coolers, large bags, and outside alcohol.
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Bring binoculars: If you’re sitting far back or watching from a hill, they help a lot.
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Use the app: Most tournaments have an official app that shows tee times, leaderboards, maps, and restroom locations.
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Hydrate and pace yourself: It’s easy to get caught up in the fun and forget to drink water, especially in hot weather.
Going to a PGA Tour event is more than just watching golf. It’s a full-day adventure filled with sights, sounds, and memories. With the right plan, the right gear, and a little bit of local flavor, it might just become one of your favorite trips of the year.
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