Life on the LPGA and Ladies European Tours is filled with the glamorous side of professional golf, including adoring fans and endorsement deals, but also comes with challenges like canceled flights and jet lag. The tours take players across the globe, from China to Korea to Malaysia to Japan for the LPGA and from China to Taiwan to India to Saudi Arabia for the LET. The travel is not just physically demanding but also mentally and emotionally exhausting, leading to feelings of loneliness and exhaustion among the players.
The top female players accumulate more frequent-flier points and travel to more destinations than their male counterparts. The LPGA schedule takes players all over the map, with events in places like Singapore, Thailand, China, and various locations in the U.S. The demanding travel schedule can leave players feeling spent by the time the fall season rolls around. Players like Charley Hull, who can be selective about which events they play, try to balance their schedules to avoid burnout.
For players like fifth-year LPGA pro Patty Tavatanakit, the motivation to continue traveling and competing comes from a desire to be successful and achieve goals. Tavatanakit, who grew up playing in Thailand and now resides in Orlando, acknowledges the challenges of traveling frequently for golf but is determined to continue pursuing greatness in the sport. Other players, like Lydia Ko and Lexi Thompson, have also expressed intentions to retire from professional golf at relatively young ages.
Maintaining a routine and finding moments of relaxation and downtime while on the road is essential for players like Tavatanakit and Carlotta Ciganda, who have spent years competing on various tours. Despite the hardships of travel and the toll it can take on their bodies and minds, both Tavatanakit and Ciganda recognize the privilege of being able to compete professionally and the joy they find in playing the game. They acknowledge the sacrifices they make and the challenges they face but ultimately feel grateful for the opportunity to pursue their passion.
The experiences of LPGA and LET players shed light on the less glamorous aspects of life as a professional golfer, including the physical and emotional toll of frequent travel and the challenges of balancing competition with personal well-being. While the allure of the game and the rewards of success are strong motivators for these players, they also grapple with the sacrifices and difficulties that come with life on the tour. Despite the hardships, these athletes continue to push themselves to achieve their goals and find fulfillment in the pursuit of greatness on the course.
