Poll Results Reveal Travel Activity of Golf Pros

From professional golfers to caddies to Tournament staffers, the golf community is comprised of seasoned business travelers.

Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts has released the results of a poll which reveal that PGA Tour golfers travel on average more than 44,000 miles per year for Tournament activity, equating to almost two round the world trips.

Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, in partnership with the PGA Tour, investigated player travel activity and polled more than 70 golfers across the PGA Tour, Champions Tour and Web.com Tour to uncover their travel-related habits and preferences.

Results revealed that more than half (56%) of golfers across the PGA Tour, Champions Tour or Web.com Tour are on the road for work – either for tournament play or sponsor obligations – at least 150 nights per year, with 22% amassing more than 200 nights on the road.

The poll also revealed that staying connected while on the road for work was important for players. Complimentary Wi-Fi, now standard at all Crowne Plaza hotels, was a key priority with 86% of players polled marking this as one of the most important things a hotel can offer them.

PGA Tour professional golfer and Crowne Plaza brand ambassador Rickie Fowler is one of the sport’s most avid business travelers, having competed in 24 tournaments last year and racking up more than 72,000 miles in 2013 (PGA Tour events and sponsor obligations).

“I’m really not much different from the average business traveler. I just happen to do my work on a golf course,” said Fowler. “With limited opportunities during the day, I like to check my email, stay up to date with the latest news and connect with fans on social media when I get back to my hotel, and the free Wi-Fi at Crowne Plaza hotels makes it easy for me to connect quickly on the road.”

Other notable findings from the player poll reveal:

- 92% of respondents travel with a smart phone; 73% travel with a tablet and 58% with a laptop while on the road for work

- 97% of respondents use hotel Wi-Fi multiple times per day while 100% said they use it at least once a day

- Being professional athletes, 58% of respondents stated that the ability to continue their fitness routine is most essential in helping maintain a health and fitness regimen while on the road.

IHG, InterContinental Hotels Group,