Including endorsement income, pro golfer Tiger Woods was the highest earning sportsman for much of the first decade of the 21st century, according to Forbes magazine.
Tournaments have entry fees and the associated costs of travel and lodging, plus the hire of a caddie.
Only those who make the cut receive any prize money, and only the top players take home significant winnings.
Bob Harlow was named manager of the PGA Tournament Bureau in 1930, the first "playing pros" organisation was formed in 1932, and money lists are available from 1934.
A golfer can become a member of a leading tour by succeeding in an entry tournament, usually called a Qualifying School ("Q-School"); or, by achieving a designated level of success in its tournaments when competing as an invited non-member; or, much rarer, by having enough notable achievements on other tours to make them a desirable member.
The (U.S.) LPGA saw a substantial decline in financial rewards in the late 2000s; when its commissioner Carolyn Bivens was forced to resign by a player revolt in 2009, it had only 14 events locked in for 2010.
The South and Central America based Tour de las Américas became the federation's second associate member in 2007.
At this level the prize money is partly funded by entrance fees and only the most successful players will win enough to do more than cover their expenses: the emphasis is very much on moving up to a higher tour.
Below this level there are various minor professional tournaments, some of which are organised into series by national golf associations.
Either way, below Korn Ferry Tour level there is little possibility of earning a living from the prize money alone and players compete to gain competitive experience.
Some are employed as club or teaching professionals and play tournaments part-time, while some may have sponsors or family backing.
Golf is unique among sports in having high profile and lucrative competitions for players of this age group.
Nearly all of the famous golfers who are eligible to compete in these events choose to do so, unless they are unable to for health reasons.
A number of players win more than a million dollars in prize money each season, and once endorsements and other business activities are taken into account, a few of the "legends of golf" in this age group earn as much as any of the younger PGA Tour pros.
Leading female golfers make incomes well over US$1 million per year, more than most other women athletes other than top tennis players.
It also has tournaments in Canada, Mexico, France, England, Australia, China, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and other Asian countries.
It expanded to hold 38 events in 2020, while the LPGA and Epson suspended play from April to August.
The Moonlightgolf.com Tour in central Florida since 1992, offers women the opportunity to develop through frequent low cost pro/scratch events.