From Tee to Tarmac: Golf Legends and Their Private Jets

Private aviation offers elite athletes the luxury and flexibility they need to stay competitive. In professional golf, many top players rely on private jets to reach tournaments efficiently and comfortably. This high-end mode of travel isn’t just about style—it’s about performance, privacy, and convenience.

At Chartright Air Group, we recognize the strong connection between private aviation and tournament preparation. We also understand why private jet travel—and even ownership—has become the go-to option for many of golf’s biggest names. In this article, we’ll highlight some of the private jets favoured by professional golfers and explore why these aircraft perfectly align with their fast-paced, travel-heavy lifestyle.

Reasons Pro Golfers Choose Private Jets

Many professional golfers need to optimize their intense travel schedules. For instance, PGA tour travel and travel to the LIV Golf tour can include long-distance journeys that can make these professionals tired.

Resting between tournaments or during journeys can help enhance their performance, and private jet travel ensures golfers can perform better and feel sharper following a luxury flight. This is possible because of the customized itineraries and less stressful flight conditions that such flights offer.

Professional golfers might additionally seek to boost their networking opportunities during their intense tours. For instance, they may want to attract additional sponsorship opportunities for their career. This goal can be easier with an improved brand image, which is reflected in the opulence of flying private.

Professional Golfers and their Private Jets

A range of private jet models is preferred by professional golfers. Chartright Air Group will here look at the top private jets that pro golfers use and explore the specifications that make them the number one choice.

Tiger Woods: Gulfstream G550

Tiger Woods has chosen the Gulfstream G550, an aircraft with a 6,750 NM, or 7,770-mile range and a maximum capacity of 19 passengers. This private jet also features advanced avionics, and uses the Honeywell Primus Epic suite, which features an enhanced guidance and vision system.

Woods used the Gulfstream G550 for more than 40 flights during 2024 and visited a range of airports that are close to major golf courses. Some examples of Woods frequently visited airports include Witham Field in Stuart, Florida, and Moore County Airport in North Carolina.

This specific private jet use reflects Woods’ commitment to professional golfing excellence. The jet conveniently takes the golfer directly to the locations where he can hone his skills.

Phil Mickelson: Gulfstream V

Phil Mickelson is a certified pilot who previously owned a Gulfstream V. This private aircraft has a 6,500 NM range and can easily accommodate a maximum of 18 passengers.

The Gulfstream V aligned well with this expert golfer’s career in other ways. It is a long-range jet capable of covering many miles. For instance, Mickelson once travelled from California to the Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pennsylvania. The cross-country flight took place overnight, leaving Mickelson on the golf course a few hours before starting the 2013 tournament.

Mickelson’s global tournament reach is significant, and significant travel is involved. Nonetheless, getting to other tournaments, such as the PGA Championship, the WGC-Mexico Championship, and the European Tour, is still easy for him. He now uses private charter jet flights for effortless travel.

Rory McIlroy Gulfstream G650ER

Rory McIlroy flies the Gulfstream G650ER, an aircraft with a range of 7,500 NM or 8,600 miles. Its cabin can be customized, meaning passengers can select specific interior options that align with their comfort needs. With various zones, such as a full kitchen and club seating, the G650ER takes luxury flight comfort to a new level.

The Gulfstream G650ER allows for long-distance travel, and McIlroy uses this model to fly to golf tournaments such as the Houston Open 2025. When taking trips in the G650ER to these courses before the events, his goal is to see whether any greens have been changed, which helps him spot any differences in hole positions. Quick private flights make it easy to prepare for these tournaments so that McIlroy is ready to perform his best.

Chartering vs. Owning: What Other Golfers Do

Owning a jet is not the only option for professional golfers who prefer luxury travel. Like Mickelson, other players like Jon Rahm, Scottie Scheffler, and new golfers choose air charter flights. There are multiple advantages to using charter flights, such as the following benefits:

Minimized travel fatigue – Since they can depart and arrive at times that match their body’s clock, golfers will experience less travel fatigue and jet lag on a charter service. Less disruptions to the circadian rhythm help new golfers feel more prepared for the tournament.

More preparation time – With direct routes to the golf course, travel time is minimized. New golfers can have more time to practice their skills instead of being in the air for long periods of time, such as during commercial flights.

Flexibility without maintenance costs – New golfers can gain storage and flexibility benefits with a charter flight and will not need to pay maintenance or storage costs.

Increased safety and security – Charter flights offer better safety and security protocols than commercial flights. This keeps expensive golf equipment, personnel, pro golfers, and teams safe, giving them peace of mind during the journey.

How Private Jet Charters Help Golfers Perform at their Peak Level

Mental focus is key for professional golfers. As mentioned, proper rest can offer them this advantage. But high-level golf players also perform at their peak level following a private jet journey because they can play more international events and practice more frequently.

Additional benefits include reducing delays between tournaments. Such delays often occur on commercial flights or on busy airlines. By choosing a private flight, professional golfers reduce distractions that may affect their performance.

Fly Like a Golf Professional with Chartright Air Group

The link between luxury flight and the golfing world is reflected in the success of a range of pro golfers. Such flights can enhance a golfer’s strategy, contribute to their brand image, help them network more easily, and contribute to an increased level of mental focus needed before a tournament.

If you are an aspiring golf professional, access to private aviation can make a difference to your game and elevate it to new heights. Fly like a golf pro. Experience the charter flight difference of champions – contact Chartright Air Group and book your next charter flight with us.