Trying to figure out why your work productivity suddenly dips on a random Thursday afternoon? It’s probably because PGA TOUR golf is on. Understanding the rhythm of the professional golf season can feel a bit tricky, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll never be left wondering when to catch your favorite players. This guide will break down the standard PGA TOUR schedule, explain why a tournament might be on today, and show you exactly where to find the action.
For decades, the foundation of a professional golf tournament has been built on a simple, consistent four-day format. This structure is designed to narrow a large field of competitors down to a single champion.
Nearly every standard PGA TOUR event runs from Thursday to Sunday. Here’s how it typically unfolds:
If you tune in on a Thursday or Friday, you might hear the announcers talk about playing waves. Since you can’t have 156 golfers on the course at once, the field is split into two groups. The "morning wave" tees off early in the day, while the "afternoon wave" tees off after the first group has finished. On Friday, they swap. Those who played in the morning on Thursday will play in the afternoon on Friday, and vice versa. This is done to ensure fairness, as course conditions (like wind or soft greens) can change dramatically throughout the day.
Every week presents a different tournament with its own history, course, and prestige. While checking the PGA TOUR’s official website or app is the quickest way to see the exact tournament name and location, it's helpful to understand the different levels of events you’ll be watching throughout the season.
These are the four tournaments that every pro wants to win. They define careers and create legends. They are the most-watched, most-discussed, and most prestigious events in all of golf.
This is a relatively new but vital part of the schedule. Signature Events are a series of eight tournaments with huge prize money, smaller fields of elite players, and often no 36-hole cut. If you want to see all the big-name players like Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and Jon Rahm compete against each other, these are the weeks to tune in. Events like The Genesis Invitational, the Arnold Palmer Invitational, and the Memorial Tournament fall into this category.
At the end of the regular season in August, the top players in the FedExCup standings qualify for a three-event playoff series to determine the season-long champion.
Sometimes you’ll flip on the TV and find live golf being played on a Monday morning or discover a tournament that ends on a Saturday. This is rare, but it happens for a few specific reasons.
The most common reason for a tournament to extend beyond Sunday is weather. Golf is played at the mercy of Mother Nature. Thunderstorms, thick fog, or dangerously high winds can all force a suspension of play. If a long delay occurs on Saturday or Sunday, there might not be enough daylight left for all the players to complete their 72 holes. When this happens, the remaining players have to come back on Monday morning to finish. So, if you see live tournament play on a Monday, it's almost certainly because of a weather issue.
A few tournaments intentionally break the Thursday-Sunday mold to attract more viewers. The Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, for example, often runs from Wednesday to Saturday. This schedule change is made to avoid competing for eyeballs with the NFL's Conference Championship games, which dominate American television on that particular Sunday.
Every so often, you might encounter unique, Ryder Cup. These events have their own formats (team play, match play) and schedules that don't follow the typical stroke-play model. The Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup, for an exhibition event that falls outside the official season. Watch out for one-off exhibitions like "The Match" or team competitions like the example, run from Friday to Sunday but feature multiple matches happening simultaneously throughout the day, creating a very different viewing experience.
Knowing when golf is on is only half the battle. Knowing where to watch is the other. You have more options now than ever before.
In the United States, two main media partners cover the PGA TOUR:
For die-hard fans who don't want to miss a shot, streaming is the way to go.
By understanding this basic structure, you can stay on top of the golf world and be ready to enjoy the action, whether it's a routine Thursday opening round or a weather-delayed Monday battle for a major championship.
Knowing the PGA TOUR's schedule, from its standard Thursday-Sunday format to weather-delayed Monday finishes, helps you follow your favorite players all season long. With a little understanding of a tournament's status - be it a Major, a Signature Event, or a Playoff battle - you can always be ready for the day's action.
Watching the best players in the world can inspire you to improve your own game, but it often brings up questions about strategy and decision-making. That's where we wanted to help. With Caddie AI, you can get instant advice on your own course management, just like a pro would. If you're wondering how to play that tricky dogleg on your home course, or you've found yourself in a tough lie and need a smart play, our app can analyze the situation - even with a photo - and give you clear guidance so you can play with more confidence.
Thinking about hosting a golf tournament fundraiser is the first swing, executing it successfully is what gets the ball in the hole. This guide will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, from laying the initial groundwork months in advance to watching your happy golfers tee off. We’ll cover everything from securing sponsors and setting your budget to planning the on-course fun that makes an event unforgettable.
A golf handicap does more than just give you bragging rights (or a reason to demand strokes from your friends) - it’s the game’s great equalizer and the single best way to track your improvement. This guide breaks down what a handicap is, how the supportive math behind a handicap index a is, and exactly how you can get one for yourself. We’ll look at everything from Course Rating to Adjusted Gross Score, helping you feel confident both on the course and in the clubhouse.
The compression of a Pinnacle Rush golf ball is one of its most defining features, engineered specifically to help a huge swath of golfers get more distance and enjoyment from their game. We'll break down exactly what its low compression means, who it's for, and how you can use that knowledge to shoot lower scores.
Figuring out which spikes go into your new (or old) pair of Puma golf shoes can feel like a puzzle, but it’s much simpler than you think. The key isn't the brand of the shoe, but the type of receptacle system they use. This guide will walk you through exactly how to identify your Puma's spike system, choose the perfect replacements for your game, and change them out like a pro.
The Golf Genius app is one of the best tools for managing and participating in competitive golf events, but figuring it out for the first time can feel like reading a new set of greens. This guide cuts through the confusion and shows you exactly how to use the app as a player. We’ll cover everything from logging into your tournament and entering scores to checking the live leaderboard so you can enjoy the competition without any tech headaches.
Walking onto the first tee with sweaty palms, worried you’ll be a good partner to paly wtih...or even asked back again ...We’ve all been there - trust me! The real trick of feeling confortable... is about how you handle you’re ready to plsy. THIS guide explains the simple rules of the rode to show you hnow t play golf while staying calm relaxed and focused... an having much morse fun while you,',re aat it? You'll also play with confidence a dn make fiendsa while you're at i
Just ask a question or share a photo and Caddie gives personalized guidance for every shot - anytime, anywhere.
