The thought of traveling around the world and playing disc golf for a living is very appealing. If you enjoy the sport as much as I do, you’ve probably thought about this often. You may even be good enough to make it happen.
But how much do professional disc golf players actually make? Is it enough to quit your job and play full-time?
I was curious about these questions myself, so I started researching the player statistics on the Professional Disc Golf Association website (you can check that out here). What I found surprised me.
Professional Disc Golfers’ Income
The PDGA site provides statistics reaching all the way back to 1979. Part of these statistics are the cash earnings each player has made in any given year. These are just the earnings from winning PDGA sanctioned events.
If players were only living off of their total winnings as reported on the PDGA website, there are only a handful of people that could reasonably do this full-time. That would be the top 0.0001% of all professional disc golfers in the world. If you’re looking to go pro full-time, you can’t just be good. You need to be the best.
Luckily, players have other streams of income outside of their tournament winnings. Sponsorship. There isn’t much data out there about how much players make from sponsorship or other sources.
There is only one significant contract that I know of which was made public at the end of 2018. This was a $1 million, 4 year deal between Discraft and Paul McBeth. The contract was confirmed by Paul in an interview with PDGA radio (you can listen to that here). Obviously, there is one pro player out there making a very good living playing disc golf. What about the average pro?
Average Professional Disc Golfers’ Income
Not every disc golf player out there is going to be able to get a sponsorship. At least not as big as McBeth. So, on average could you reasonably tour the world playing disc golf and making a living wage from tournament winnings and smaller sponsorship?
There are so many factors that go into that question, which make it impossible for anyone to determine what other pros disc golfers get in sponsorship. Short of getting every pro disc golfers’ tax returns, we can’t know for sure. However, we can draw some loose conclusions based on what we do know.
As previously mentioned, if we focus strictly on tournament winnings, virtually no one can play disc golf full-time outside of the top 0.0001% players in the world and still put food on the table.
We know exactly how much each pro player makes from tournament winnings. And we know the top player in the world, Paul McBeth, has a guaranteed $250,000 per year from 2019 – 2023. He also makes sales incentives from his signature discs, but I’ll exclude that factor from this equation. First, there is no way to determine what that number would be. And second, there aren’t many players out there that have signature discs.
With Paul making $57,880 during the 2018 season, this means he makes four times that in sponsorship from Discraft now. If every pro player received four times their tournament winnings in sponsorship, that would mean only the top 100 players in the world made over $30,000 in 2018. That’s right around minimum wage in the United States.
That’s an incredibly rough approximation, and probably a generous one. However, there were only around 100 pro disc golfers that made over $5,000 from tournament winnings and some portion of those players might not be sponsored at all.
I would estimate that with sponsorship and tournament winnings combined, you still have to be in the top 0.001% of disc golf players to go full-time. That’s an average professional rating of 1014.
So, you can definitely make a living playing professional disc golf, but you have to at least break into the top 100 players.
Disc Golf Earnings Trend
It’s not all bad news though. Since 1979, there has been a consistent upward trend of player winnings. In fact, player winnings have skyrocketed so much in the last 10 years that I believe we’ll see many, many more players being able to go full-time by 2030.
Check out the below video that shows the top 20 PDGA player career accumulated winnings from 1979 to 2019. Pay attention to the bottom right of the screen where there is a running total for total player winnings:
I think this trend is very exciting for the sport of disc golf. The sport has definitely developed over the last ten years. When you attend a professional event in 2019, it definitely has the feel of a main stream sporting event. Opposed to maybe 20 or 30 years ago it felt more like a family reunion.
Let’s take a look at the top five players’ accumulated earnings over the last 40 years since 1979 to 2019 to really get a feel for how far along the sport has come. And possibly make some predictions for where it will go in the future.
The data from the PDGA statistic website only included info for active PDGA members, so there are some missing people. I’ve done my best to fill in the blanks from other sources for the earlier years.
1979 PDGA Career Accumulated Earnings
| Name & PDGA # | Home State | Accumulated Earnings |
| T. Kennedy – #87 | California | $10,000 |
| J. Connelly – #992 | Illinois | $5,000 |
| S. Pierson – #691 | California | $2,300 |
| M. Conger – #60 | Hawaii | $2,300 |
| R. Snyder – #65 | North Carolina | $1,000 |
The first tournament of modern day disc golf was the WHAM-O $50k Frisbee Disc Golf Invitational. It was put on by Steady Ed Headrick in Huntington Beach, California with 70 total participants. This was a tournament put on to showcase disc golf in all its glory. It was also the only tournament put on in 1979 that had money involved.
It was a close race between Tom Kennedy and John Connelly, with Kennedy eventually edging out Connelly in a playoff.
For the time, the total prize was quite generous with $10,000 going to the winner. An amount that wouldn’t been seen again for many years.
Total earnings for all professionals during the year totaled $50k.
Accumulated earnings for all professionals since 1979 totaled $50k.
1980 PDGA Career Accumulated Earnings
| Name & PDGA # | Home State | Accumulated Earnings |
| T. Kennedy – #87 | California | $10,000 |
| J. Connelly – #992 | Illinois | $5,000 |
| S. Pierson – #691 | California | $2,300 |
| M. Conger – #60 | Hawaii | $2,300 |
| R. Snyder – #65 | North Carolina | $1,000 |
This was a year of participant growth, but not of earnings. There are a few State Championships that occurred in the official PDGA records, but no money to speak of.
Total earnings for all professionals during the year totaled $0.
Accumulated earnings for all professionals since 1979 totaled $50k.
1981 PDGA Career Accumulated Earnings
| Name & PDGA # | Home State | Accumulated Earnings |
| T. Kennedy – #87 | California | $10,000 |
| J. Connelly – #992 | Illinois | $5,000 |
| S. Pierson – #691 | California | $2,300 |
| M. Conger – #60 | Hawaii | $2,300 |
| R. Snyder – #65 | North Carolina | $1,000 |
1981 was more of the same from the previous year. A few tournaments happening here and there, but no one was making any money doing it. They were playing because they loved the game.
Total earnings for all professionals during the year totaled $0.
Accumulated earnings for all professionals since 1979 totaled $50k.
1982 PDGA Career Accumulated Earnings
| Name & PDGA # | Home State | Accumulated Earnings |
| T. Kennedy – #87 | California | $10,000 |
| J. Connelly – #992 | Illinois | $5,000 |
| S. Pierson – #691 | California | $2,300 |
| M. Conger – #60 | Hawaii | $2,300 |
| R. Snyder – #65 | North Carolina | $1,000 |
There was a very small tournament call the Lucky 8 Open in West Virginia that had a $50 cash purse. The tournament was also held the prior year, but without any money involved. Nothing to move the accumulated earnings leader board. The players from the 1979 WHAM-O tournament still hold the total accumulated earnings even after 3 years.
The actual 1982 PDGA Disc Golf World Championship had a good turnout of 76 players considering there wasn’t any money involved. New players continue to join the PDGA.
Total earnings for all professionals during the year totaled $0.
Accumulated earnings for all professionals since 1979 totaled $50k.
1983 PDGA Career Accumulated Earnings
| Name & PDGA # | Home State | Accumulated Earnings |
| T. Kennedy – #87 | California | $10,000 |
| J. Connelly – #992 | Illinois | $5,000 |
| S. Pierson – #691 | California | $2,390 |
| M. Conger – #60 | Hawaii | $2,300 |
| R. Snyder – #65 | North Carolina | $1,000 |
This is the first year since 1979 where there was a tournament with a real amount of money. The Coors La Mirada Open was held in La Mirada, California by tournament director Dan Mangone. Total purse of $5,122. The 1st place finisher was awarded $1,000. Still not quite enough to break the top 5 of the accumulated earnings leader board.
Total earnings for all professionals during the year totaled $1k.
Accumulated earnings for all professionals since 1979 totaled $51k.
1984 PDGA Career Accumulated Earnings
| Name & PDGA # | Home State | Accumulated Earnings |
| T. Kennedy – #87 | California | $10,000 |
| J. Connelly – #992 | Illinois | $5,000 |
| S. Pierson – #691 | California | $2,510 |
| M. Conger – #60 | Hawaii | $2,300 |
| H. Duvall #2018 | South Carolina | $2,000 |
The Coors La Mirada Open was back again this year, but with a $7,000 total purse. Harold Duvall put on a great performance, taking 1st place for a total prize of $1,500. That, plus his $500 from the 1983 Coors La Mirada Open earns him a spot on the leader board.
Total earnings for all professionals during the year totaled $5k.
Accumulated earnings for all professionals since 1979 totaled $56k.
1985 PDGA Career Accumulated Earnings
| Name & PDGA # | Home State | Accumulated Earnings |
| T. Kennedy – #87 | California | $10,043 |
| S. Pierson – #691 | California | $5,410 |
| S. Ferrans #2872 | Hawaii | $5,308 |
| H. Duvall #2018 | South Carolina | $5,215 |
| J. Connelly – #992 | Illinois | $5,000 |
1985 starts to see multiple tournaments putting put cash prizes.
The 1985 PDGA Disc Golf World Championships had a total purse of $12,448. Harold Duvall continues to put together an impressive string of wins, taking 1st in the world championships. Total prize of $2,000
Sam Ferrans makes his appearance on the leader board with a win at the 1985 WFDF World Championships, earning him $4,000, plus minor earnings from previous tournaments.
Snapper Pierson took 2nd place at the 1985 WFDF World Championships, moving him up to 2nd place.
Total earnings for all professionals during the year totaled $15k.
Accumulated earnings for all professionals since 1979 totaled $71k.
1986 PDGA Career Accumulated Earnings
| Name & PDGA # | Home State | Accumulated Earnings |
| T. Kennedy – #87 | California | $10,043 |
| S. Ferrans #2872 | Hawaii | $5,948 |
| S. Pierson – #691 | California | $5,924 |
| H. Duvall #2018 | South Carolina | $5,496 |
| J. Connelly – #992 | Illinois | $5,000 |
In 1986 we begin to see many more tournaments popping up around the United States. Players are starting to play in upwards of 20 tournaments during the season and starting to rack up much more earnings.
A little movement in the leader board, but nothing major. There are many players starting to move up quickly as they attend more tournaments year after year.
No one is close to making a career out of disc golf, but they are all having fun doing it.
Total earnings for all professionals during the year totaled $18k.
Accumulated earnings for all professionals since 1979 totaled $89k.
1987 PDGA Career Accumulated Earnings
| Name & PDGA # | Home State | Accumulated Earnings |
| D. Greenwell – #962 | Kentucky | $10,219 |
| T. Kennedy – #87 | California | $10,043 |
| S. Ferrans – #2872 | California | $8,810 |
| C. Brooks – #2022 | Missouri | $7,450 |
| S. Wisecup – #1467 | California | $6,694 |
There are now hundreds of players making money all across the United States, and some of Canada. The top three earners are all around $5,000 or above.
Crazy John Brooks comes out strong at the 1987 Japan Open with a 1st place finish earning him $6,950 and a spot on the leader board.
David Greenwell went on the grind in 1986 & 1987 playing in over 40 events with many top 3 finishes. Including a 2nd place finish at the 1987 Japan Open.
It took 8 years, but Tom Kennedy was finally overtaken as the top earner in professional disc golf.
Total earnings for all professionals during the year totaled $79k.
Accumulated earnings for all professionals since 1979 totaled $167M.
1988 PDGA Career Accumulated Earnings
| Name & PDGA # | Home State | Accumulated Earnings |
| D. Greenwell – #962 | Kentucky | $15,382 |
| S. Ferrans – #2872 | California | $11,636 |
| S. Wisecup – #1467 | California | $10,817 |
| T. Kennedy – #87 | California | $10,043 |
| J. Ahart – #3455 | California | $8,569 |
John Ahart ended 1988 as the top earner at $5,677, with David Greenwell in 2nd with $5,163. The top players are starting to play in over 20 tournaments each year.
The 1988 PDGA Disc Golf World Championships in Cincinnati, Ohio offered the largest prize of the year with a purse of $26,657. The 1st place finish went to John Ahart. It was a close match between him and Sam Ferrans with only two throws separating them over 6 rounds.
Total earnings for all professionals during the year totaled $102k.
Accumulated earnings for all professionals since 1979 totaled $270k.
1989 PDGA Career Accumulated Earnings
| Name & PDGA # | Home State | Accumulated Earnings |
| D. Greenwell – #962 | Kentucky | $22,758 |
| S. Wisecup – #1467 | California | $18,369 |
| S. Ferrans – #2872 | California | $15,339 |
| J. Ahart – #3455 | California | $14,349 |
| R. Amann – #2044 | California | $10,955 |
Steve Cup Wisecup comes out strong in 1989 with 21 events and total earnings of $7,551.50. His 1st place finish at the 1989 PDGA Disc Golf World Championships propelled him toward the top, earning him $2,000.
However, David Greenwell did one better. In the 2nd Japan Open he took a 1st place finish for a total of $4,800. John Ahart was close behind in that tournament. After 4 rounds, the two players were tied. Headed into the 5th and final round, the players were still tied. Greenwell took the win in a playoff.
Total earnings for all professionals during the year totaled $138k.
Accumulated earnings for all professionals since 1979 totaled $408k.
1990 PDGA Career Accumulated Earnings
| Name & PDGA # | Home State | Accumulated Earnings |
| D. Greenwell – #962 | Kentucky | $29,266 |
| S. Wisecup – #1467 | California | $22,869 |
| J. Ahart – #3455 | California | $18,720 |
| S. Ferrans – #2872 | California | $18,372 |
| S. Paul – #2853 | Ohio | $14,018 |
David Greenwell continued to top the accumulated earnings leader board. Once again, he took 1st place at the Japan Open. Incredibly the 1990 Japan Open had almost the same story line as 1989. Greenwell barley edged out John Ahart by one throw. Even after Greenwell dropped 5 throws in the 5th and final round, he still had enough to take the tournament by 1 throw, securing him $3,968.
However, 1990 was all about another rising star, Ken Climo
Climo started playing profession disc golf in 1988 when he was 20 years old, and was playing before that as an amateur in 1987. He was within the top 20 players in 1989, but really came to form in 1990 when he won his first PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championship. He took home $2,042 from worlds that year.
Total earnings for all professionals during the year totaled $130k.
Accumulated earnings for all professionals since 1979 totaled $540k.
1991 PDGA Career Accumulated Earnings
| Name & PDGA # | Home State | Accumulated Earnings |
| D. Greenwell – #962 | Kentucky | $34,812 |
| S. Wisecup – #1467 | California | $29,118 |
| J. Ahart – #3455 | California | $23,426 |
| S. Ferrans – #2872 | California | $21,740 |
| S. Valencia – #4256 | California | $17,448 |
While 1990 was a big year for Climo, 1991 was an even bigger year for Steve Valencia. Steve was the first player to break $10,000 in tournament winnings in one year. He earned $11,450 during 1991. Considering inflation, this equates to $21,000 in today’s dollars. Not bad, but still not enough to live off of.
Climo still won the 1991 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships. However, Valencia attended more events that anyone during the year with high placement, solidifying his position on the top of the leader board.
Greenwell continues to be the king of the disc golf hill, with a 3rd place finish at the 1991 Japan Open. The Japan Open continue to be one of the largest pro purse tournaments. John Ahart took 1st place at the Japan Open, but otherwise only played in five tournaments the entire year.
While earnings are on the incline, it is still out of reach for virtually all professional players to move to full-time disc golf.
Total earnings for all professionals during the year totaled $120k.
Accumulated earnings for all professionals since 1979 totaled $660k.
1992 PDGA Career Accumulated Earnings
| Name & PDGA # | Home State | Accumulated Earnings |
| D. Greenwell – #962 | Kentucky | $39,997 |
| S. Wisecup – #1467 | California | $34,440 |
| J. Ahart – #3455 | California | $29,513 |
| S. Valencia – #4256 | California | $27,972 |
| S. Ferrans – #2872 | California | $26,689 |
Climo once again tops the 1992 with the top yearly earnings of $10,668, but it isn’t quite enough to break into the top five.
John Ahart, Sam Ferrans & David Greenwell continue to attend the Japan Open in 1992, which continues to carry 2nd largest purse of the year at $22,893. Only behind the 1992 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships at $33,869. Their dominance in that tournament solidifies their 1992 positions.
Climo’s absence from the Japan Open has been the main factor of him not breaking the top 5 accumulated earnings leader board. In spite of this, he once again takes 1st place at worlds for $3,500. The largest and most coveted purse of the year.
Total earnings for all professionals during the year totaled $210k.
Accumulated earnings for all professionals since 1979 totaled $868k.
1993 PDGA Career Accumulated Earnings
| Name & PDGA # | Home State | Accumulated Earnings |
| D. Greenwell – #962 | Kentucky | $47,009 |
| K. Climo – #4297 | Florida | $39,115 |
| S. Wisecup – #1467 | California | $36,174 |
| J. Ahart – #3455 | California | $33,203 |
| S. Valencia – #4256 | California | $30,868 |
The 1993 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships continues to expand the divisions. Climo takes 1st place in the Open and Greenwell takes 1st place in the Masters.
Of the 15 events Climo attended he placed 1st in 12 of them. Of the 15 events that Greenwell attended he placed 1st in 15 of them. Greenwell is now playing primarily in the Masters divisions, while Climo devours the Open division where most of the money resides.
Climo is finally able to attend the Japan Open in 1993. And it was the perfect year to do it. The Japan Open upped the purse to $35,000, with $4,350 going to Climo for 1st place. This, plus his 1st place finish at worlds allowed him to break into the top earners club.
Naturally, Climo and Greenwell played together in the PDGA National Doubles Championships – Pros that same year also taking 1st place. A very fitting duo considering their separate dominance in the Masters and Open divisions.
Total earnings for all professionals during the year totaled $180k.
Accumulated earnings for all professionals since 1979 totaled $1M.
1994 PDGA Career Accumulated Earnings
| Name & PDGA # | Home State | Accumulated Earnings |
| D. Greenwell – #962 | Kentucky | $52,474 |
| K. Climo – #4297 | Florida | $50,955 |
| J. Ahart – #3455 | California | $36,579 |
| S. Wisecup – #1467 | California | $36,174 |
| S. Valencia – #4256 | California | $33,010 |
Climo takes the largest prizes of the year once again from the 1994 Japan Open and 1994 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships. He stacks up another $12k from 1994, almost doubling and tripling the rest of the professional players.
However, Greenwell is not going away quietly. He holds on to the top of the leader board for 1994, but slips in some of the larger events.
The Climo and Greenwell duo is back for the 1994 PDGA Pro National Doubles. But this year Steve Valencia and Scott Stokley take the win. Going into the 4th and final round, Climo and Greenwell held a 3 throw lead. Valencia and Stokely played strong in Round Rock, TX bringing the final round to a tie and playoff scenario where they won.
Valencia has be low key over the past few years. Although he continue to place well and earn money to stay within the top 5 earners of all time.
As sponsorship’s start to roll in for our top players, we are starting to see them going full-time into professional disc golf.
Total earnings for all professionals during the year totaled $180k.
Accumulated earnings for all professionals since 1979 totaled $1.2M.
1995 PDGA Career Accumulated Earnings
| Name & PDGA # | Home State | Accumulated Earnings |
| K. Climo – #4297 | Florida | $70,062 |
| D. Greenwell – #962 | Kentucky | $57,634 |
| J. Ahart – #3455 | California | $41,164 |
| S. Wisecup – #1467 | California | $36,174 |
| C. Brooks – #2022 | Missouri | $35,642 |
Crazy John Brooks reappears on our top 5 list after being absent since 1987. His strong showing in 1994 and 1995 earn him the bottom spot.
No one can argue that 1995 was the Climo show. He finally knocks Greenwell out of the top position.
He attended 26 events and placed 1st in 23 of them. He took home a total of $19,107. Adjusting for inflation, that is $32,166 in today’s dollars. This is the first year where a person was truly making a living wage off of only their disc golf winnings. Albeit, only one person in the world at the time could do it.
His next closest competitor for 1995 was Mike Randolph, who racked up $7,160 from 21 events. He also placed 2nd at the 1995 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships behind Climo.
Total earnings for all professionals during the year totaled $235k.
Accumulated earnings for all professionals since 1979 totaled $1.5M.
1996 PDGA Career Accumulated Earnings
| Name & PDGA # | Home State | Accumulated Earnings |
| K. Climo – #4297 | Florida | $82,585 |
| D. Greenwell – #962 | Kentucky | $61,222 |
| J. Ahart – #3455 | California | $43,180 |
| C. Brooks – #2022 | Missouri | $38,236 |
| S. Wisecup – #1467 | California | $36,174 |
1996 was not as strong of a year for Climo for earnings. He takes home only $12,523 versus the $19,104. This is primarily due to the Japan Open not taking place, which was the 2nd largest event for many of the previous years.
Geoff Lissaman places 2nd at the 1996 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships behind Climo. This marks Climo’s 7th consecutive world championship win since 1990.
Mike Randolph gets the better of him at the 1996 Edgewood Electric Open, but Climo exacts his revenge is almost every other tournament.
Greenwell, Ahart, Brooks & Wisecup still hold places on the top, but their earners are starting to falter. There are plenty of hunger players on the rise ready to knock them down.
Total earnings for all professionals during the year totaled $240k.
Accumulated earnings for all professionals since 1979 totaled $1.7M.
1997 PDGA Career Accumulated Earnings
| Name & PDGA # | Home State | Accumulated Earnings |
| K. Climo – #4297 | Florida | $96,444 |
| D. Greenwell – #962 | Kentucky | $64,690 |
| J. Ahart – #3455 | California | $46,255 |
| G. Lissaman – #2007 | California | $40,535 |
| C. Brooks – #2022 | Missouri | $39,073 |
Wisecup gets knocked off our list by Lissaman. Lissaman’s strong performance in 1996 and 1997 earns him the 4th spot. There isn’t much activity for our career winnings leader board out side of Climo continuing to rack up huge amounts of money.
Although, Ahart shows that he still has what it takes. He takes a decisive win over Climo at the Bucci Master’s Cup in Santa Cruz. Its one of Climo’s only loses for the year. Lissaman as well comes out on top with 2nd place for that tournament.
For the year, we see Climo with $13,859, Ron Russell with $10,777 and Scott Stokely with $10,109 in total earnings. The only players over $10k for the year.
Total earnings for all professionals during the year totaled $280k.
Accumulated earnings for all professionals since 1979 totaled $2M.
1998 PDGA Career Accumulated Earnings
| Name & PDGA # | Home State | Accumulated Earnings |
| K. Climo – #4297 | Florida | $114,257 |
| D. Greenwell – #962 | Kentucky | $70,623 |
| G. Lissaman – #2007 | California | $50,762 |
| J. Ahart – #3455 | California | $46,255 |
| C. Brooks – #2022 | Missouri | $42,168 |
Its beginning to look like Climo is unstoppable. He takes the 1998 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships again, earning him $3,581.
While he is certainly on the top, his performance is not as dominate as in past years. Most of his events are 1st place finishes, but there are clearly other players starting to compete at a high level.
Lissaman brings in $10,226 for the year and rises another spot on the leader board. He has many 1st place finishes for the year out of 27 events, coming in 5th at worlds.
This is also the first year of the Discraft Great Lakes Open putting up a purse of $19,665. Climo takes 1st for $3,800 with Ron Russell in a close 2nd for $2,020.
Total earnings for all professionals during the year totaled $370k
Accumulated earnings for all professionals since 1979 totaled $2.4M.
1999 PDGA Career Accumulated Earnings
| Name & PDGA # | Home State | Accumulated Earnings |
| K. Climo – #4297 | Florida | $137,083 |
| D. Greenwell – #962 | Kentucky | $76,537 |
| G. Lissaman – #2007 | California | $59,785 |
| R. Russell – #9999 | Florida | $52,212 |
| M. Moser – #5557 | Delaware | $49,307 |
Ron Russell came out swinging in 1999. He earned a total of $22,673 after competing in 30 events for the season. The most shocking part is he snatched the the 1999 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships right from under Ken Climo. This broken is running steak of world championships.
Russell was down to Climo at the start of the start of the tournament, but slowly inched his way toward victory after 10 rounds. He took it with 4 less throws than Climo.
But don’t feel too bad for Climo. He still finished the year with the most earnings out of anyone with $22,827. And we are starting to see more and more players bring in over $10k a year.
Total earnings for all professionals during the year totaled $480k.
Accumulated earnings for all professionals since 1979 totaled $2.8M.
2000 PDGA Career Accumulated Earnings
| Name & PDGA # | Home State | Accumulated Earnings |
| K. Climo – #4297 | Florida | $159,319 |
| D. Greenwell – #962 | Kentucky | $83,897 |
| G. Lissaman – #2007 | California | $71,795 |
| R. Russell – #9999 | Florida | $68,794 |
| M. Moser – #5557 | Delaware | $49,307 |
Climo has now doubled the next closest competitor in accumulated earnings.
He’s back to form with a 1st place finish in the 2000 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships and United States Disc Golf Championship. And there is a player that is moving up the rankings fast.
Barry Schultz finished 2nd at worlds and 6th at the USDGC. He hasn’t quite broken the top 5 earners, but is not far behind.
Greenwell’s past performances in the Open division have been enough to keep him in 2nd place for a long time. But since his move the Masters he is no longer bringing in large purses for his top finishes. Soon players will start rise above.
Total earnings for all professionals during the year totaled $595k.
Accumulated earnings for all professionals since 1979 totaled $3.4M.
2001 PDGA Career Accumulated Earnings
| Name & PDGA # | Home State | Accumulated Earnings |
| K. Climo – #4297 | Florida | $176,769 |
| D. Greenwell – #962 | Kentucky | $90,995 |
| G. Lissaman – #2007 | California | $82,703 |
| R. Russell – #9999 | Florida | $82,270 |
| B. Schultz – #6840 | North Carolina | $65,215 |
Cameron Todd, a player we haven’t seen before, made a huge push since going pro in 1999. Be 2001, he was the top player in the world with total earnings of $24,748 and a 1st place finish at the 2001 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships.
By all standards, Climo had a great year as well. But by his standards, it was lackluster. He finished 8th at worlds and 2nd at the USDGC. He was 4th overall for earnings in 2001 with $17,450.
Barry Schultz had his best year yet, propelling him to the top 5 players of all time and knocking Moser off the list. He was 2nd only to Cameron Tood in 2001.
Total earnings for all professionals during the year totaled $678k.
Accumulated earnings for all professionals since 1979 totaled $4.1M.
2002 PDGA Career Accumulated Earnings
| Name & PDGA # | Home State | Accumulated Earnings |
| K. Climo – #4297 | Florida | $207,349 |
| R. Russell – #9999 | Florida | $102,015 |
| G. Lissaman – #2007 | California | $95,276 |
| D. Greenwell – #962 | Kentucky | $95,039 |
| B. Schultz – #6840 | North Carolina | $89,518 |
Obviously 2001 didn’t sit well with Climo and he climbed back on top. As if there was any doubt. He gathered $30,580, mostly earned from winning United States Disc Golf Championship and 2002 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships, with a 2nd place finish in the 2002 Japan Open (150 Class).
Although Schultz was still 2nd in earnings with $24,304 during the year. In every event, Schultz was right on Climo’s tail, gathering 2nd place finishes at the USDGC and the PDGA worlds. Both were great events, but Climo utterly dominated the competition with huge margins of victory this year.
It is Climo’s biggest year yet with over $30k of earnings. There are now over 15 players making $10k or move in tournament winnings.
Total earnings for all professionals during the year totaled $781k.
Accumulated earnings for all professionals since 1979 totaled $4.9M.
2003 PDGA Career Accumulated Earnings
| Name & PDGA # | Home State | Accumulated Earnings |
| K. Climo – #4297 | Florida | $221,470 |
| B. Schultz – #6840 | North Carolina | $129,370 |
| R. Russell – #9999 | Florida | $124,119 |
| G. Lissaman – #2007 | California | $102,141 |
| D. Greenwell – #962 | Kentucky | $98,046 |
The epic battle between Schultz and Climo continued into 2003. This time with Schultz coming out on top with 1st place finishes in the United States Disc Golf Championship and 2003 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships.
The USDGC was a nail biter between the two. Schultz barely beat out Climo in the final round with a playoff. Worlds was a different story. Climo finished 9th and Schultz annihilated the competition by 6 throws.
Due to the USDGC and Worlds increasing the cash purse significantly in 2003, Schultz picked a great time to come out on top. He ended the year with $39,852, the largest earnings any professional disc golfer had made up to that point in time.
Total earnings for all professionals during the year totaled $845k.
Accumulated earnings for all professionals since 1979 totaled $5.7M.
2004 PDGA Career Accumulated Earnings
| Name & PDGA # | Home State | Accumulated Earnings |
| K. Climo – #4297 | Florida | $248,590 |
| B. Schultz – #6840 | North Carolina | $167,259 |
| R. Russell – #9999 | Florida | $138,642 |
| C. Todd – #12827 | South Carolina | $112,544 |
| G. Lissaman – #2007 | California | $106,803 |
Greenwell, who held a position on this list since 1987, is finally knocked down. He is replaced by Cameron Todd.
Schultz continued to exert his dominance over the competition in 2004. He takes 1st in the 2004 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships, with Climo of course in 2nd place. However, it is Climo who takes the United States Disc Golf Championship in 2004 with the largest single prize of the season with $10,000.
Schultz didn’t slow down. He ended the year with another $37,889. Climo was in 2nd with $27,121
Total earnings for all professionals during the year totaled $979k.
Accumulated earnings for all professionals since 1979 totaled $6.7M.
2005 PDGA Career Accumulated Earnings
| Name & PDGA # | Home State | Accumulated Earnings |
| K. Climo – #4297 | Florida | $266,070 |
| B. Schultz – #6840 | North Carolina | $194,539 |
| R. Russell – #9999 | Florida | $138,642 |
| B. Hammock – #5912 | Georgia | $114,594 |
| C. Todd – #12827 | South Carolina | $112,544 |
Out of nowhere, a youngster by the name of David Feldberg ran away with the 2005 season with top earnings of $29,608. His 1st place win at the United States Disc Golf Championship is what propelled his earns to the top of 2005. It remains the most lucrative tournament for players.
Another player, Nate Doss, explodes onto the scene with a surprise victory at the 2005 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships. Up to that point he was relatively unknown. After 2005, there was no question he was ready to play.
Climo and Schultz remain in the mix with great performances, but there are clearly younger players hungry for wins.
Total earnings for all professionals during the year totaled $1.1M.
Accumulated earnings for all professionals since 1979 totaled $7.8M.
2006 PDGA Career Accumulated Earnings
| Name & PDGA # | Home State | Accumulated Earnings |
| K. Climo – #4297 | Florida | $289,558 |
| B. Schultz – #6840 | North Carolina | $233,096 |
| R. Russell – #9999 | Florida | $139,472 |
| B. Hammock – #5912 | Georgia | $132,804 |
| S. Rico – #4666 | California | $122,601 |
Steve Rico sneaks onto the top 5 list of all time earners. He has had many, many top 10 finishes is all the major tournaments. Not many 1st place finishes.
2006 sees Schultz back on top with earnings of $38,557 for the year. He takes the United States Disc Golf Championship, but it is Climo who claims the coveted world title at the 2006 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships.
While it is Climo who is taking home the big titles, its Schultz who is taking home the big paychecks. He brings the gap of career accumulated earnings within $56k.
Total earnings for all professionals during the year totaled $1.2M.
Accumulated earnings for all professionals since 1979 totaled $8.9M.
2007 PDGA Career Accumulated Earnings
| Name & PDGA # | Home State | Accumulated Earnings |
| K. Climo – #4297 | Florida | $329,768 |
| B. Schultz – #6840 | North Carolina | $243,912 |
| D. Feldberg – #12626 | Georgia | $145,835 |
| B. Hammock – #5912 | Georgia | $142,244 |
| R. Russell – #9999 | Florida | $139,472 |
David Feldberg’s work has paid off and he lands himself in 3rd place on the leader board. It would seem that he had the best season in 2007 with earnings of $37,030. But not so fast.
Climo has his biggest year yet. And largest earnings ever gained by a pro in disc golf during a single year. He pulls in $40,120 in 2007. And he did it all without winning the 2007 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships. That honor went to Nate Doss once again.
It was the United States Disc Golf Championship that truly gave him his biggest year yet. With a 1st place finish, he was awarded $15,000. The runner up was Avery Jenkins, another rising star in the sport.
Total earnings for all professionals during the year totaled $1.3M.
Accumulated earnings for all professionals since 1979 totaled $10.2M.
2008 PDGA Career Accumulated Earnings
| Name & PDGA # | Home State | Accumulated Earnings |
| K. Climo – #4297 | Florida | $343,620 |
| B. Schultz – #6840 | North Carolina | $266,698 |
| D. Feldberg – #12626 | Georgia | $184,764 |
| S. Rico – #4666 | California | $151,841 |
| B. Hammock – #5912 | Georgia | $147,642 |
Feldberg is back on top with yearly winnings of $38,929. He did with by winning the 2008 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships and 2008 Japan Open (150 Class).
Avery Jenkins put together an impressive year with $33,610 of earnings. Also as the runner up to the United States Disc Golf Championship, behind Nate Doss.
2008 marks the slow fall of Climo and Schultz. They remain on top, for now.
Total earnings for all professionals during the year totaled $1.5M.
Accumulated earnings for all professionals since 1979 totaled $11.8M.
2009 PDGA Career Accumulated Earnings
| Name & PDGA # | Home State | Accumulated Earnings |
| K. Climo – #4297 | Florida | $358,718 |
| B. Schultz – #6840 | North Carolina | $281,368 |
| D. Feldberg – #12626 | Georgia | $214,010 |
| A. Jenkins – #7495 | Oklahoma | $163,059 |
| S. Rico – #4666 | California | $161,119 |
There is no longer a single player towering over the rest of the field. The top earner of any given season is cycling between multiple players.
This time, it was Nikko Locastro on top with $46,926. Be played in a massive 45 competitions throughout the year, with a huge win at the United States Disc Golf Championship. Just barely beating out the favorite, David Feldberg.
Avery Jenkins makes it onto the top 5 list in 2009. He is the runner up to Locastro for total earnings in the season, but he is the one that walks away with 1st place in the 2009 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships.
Total earnings for all professionals during the year totaled $1.5M.
Accumulated earnings for all professionals since 1979 totaled $13.2M.
2010 PDGA Career Accumulated Earnings
| Name & PDGA # | Home State | Accumulated Earnings |
| K. Climo – #4297 | Florida | $379,928 |
| B. Schultz – #6840 | North Carolina | $290,513 |
| D. Feldberg – #12626 | Georgia | $249,358 |
| A. Jenkins – #7495 | Oklahoma | $175,611 |
| B. Hammock – #5912 | Georgia | $171,636 |
Brad Hammock makes his first and only appearances on the top 5 leader board. He has been a member since 1989, slowly accumulating his winnings. Slow and steady wins the race.
Nikko Locastro once again takes the season as the top earner with $46,757. A few other names start to creep up on the list: Paul Ulibarri, Will Schusterick, Josh Anthon, and Eric McCabe. It was Eric McCabe who took the 2010 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships right out from under David Feldberg.
Total earnings for all professionals during the year totaled $1.6M.
Accumulated earnings for all professionals since 1979 totaled $14.9M.
2011 PDGA Career Accumulated Earnings
| Name & PDGA # | Home State | Accumulated Earnings |
| K. Climo – #4297 | Florida | $385,508 |
| B. Schultz – #6840 | North Carolina | $301,355 |
| D. Feldberg – #12626 | Georgia | $272,987 |
| A. Jenkins – #7495 | Oklahoma | $190,610 |
| S. Rico – #4666 | California | $179,043 |
Schultz and Climo are holding on strong. They continue to pull in earnings each year, but nothing like these new players are earning.
Steve Rico bumps Brad Hammock back off the list. Nate Doss is still clawing his way up the leader board. He has continued to earn many titles, with another 1st place finish at the 2011 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships.
Doss is not playing in as many tournaments as his counter-parts, but his big wins more than make up for it.
Total earnings for all professionals during the year totaled $1.6M.
Accumulated earnings for all professionals since 1979 totaled $16.4M.
2012 PDGA Career Accumulated Earnings
| Name & PDGA # | Home State | Accumulated Earnings |
| K. Climo – #4297 | Florida | $398,098 |
| B. Schultz – #6840 | North Carolina | $312,016 |
| D. Feldberg – #12626 | Georgia | $308,045 |
| A. Jenkins – #7495 | Oklahoma | $201,588 |
| S. Rico – #4666 | California | $192,609 |
Out with the old and in with the new. There
Will Schusterick, Ricky Wysocki and Paul McBeth have huge years, beating out all of the big names we’ve come to know.
Schusterick takes the win at the United States Disc Golf Championship – Open Flight over Wysocki. Finishing the year with $39,590. McBeth takes his first world champion title at the 2012 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships in North Carolina. Wysocki ends up being the runner up to both Schusterick and McBeth in both tournaments.
Total earnings for all professionals during the year totaled $1.7M.
Accumulated earnings for all professionals since 1979 totaled $18.1M.
2013 PDGA Career Accumulated Earnings
| Name & PDGA # | Home State | Accumulated Earnings |
| K. Climo – #4297 | Florida | $406,884 |
| D. Feldberg – #12626 | Georgia | $336,348 |
| B. Schultz – #6840 | North Carolina | $328,018 |
| A. Jenkins – #7495 | Oklahoma | $208,699 |
| S. Rico – #4666 | California | $207,972 |
Fledberg has not been sitting around quietly while all the new players steal the limelight. He moves up the 2nd place for overall accumulated earnings.
However, its the Paul McBeth show now. He wins his 2nd PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championship in 2013 just over Feldberg. This is beginning to become a trend for Feldberg at Worlds.
McBeth also claims the European Open title, finishing the season with $42,304. Schusterick and Wysocki remain on his tail.
Total earnings for all professionals during the year totaled $1.9M.
Accumulated earnings for all professionals since 1979 totaled $20M.
2014 PDGA Career Accumulated Earnings
| Name & PDGA # | Home State | Accumulated Earnings |
| K. Climo – #4297 | Florida | $416,531 |
| D. Feldberg – #12626 | Georgia | $351,388 |
| B. Schultz – #6840 | North Carolina | $338,178 |
| S. Rico – #4666 | California | $221,911 |
| N. Doss – #11794 | Oregon | $214,594 |
Nate Doss performs well enough to knock Avery Jenkins off the list. But the real spotlight is still on McBeth. He takes his 3rd Worlds title at the 2014 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships, with many other impressive wins in just 19 events.
He ends the year with $40,907. Wysocki is no slouch either. He is the runner up to McBeth at Worlds, but is the 1st place earner with $42,907. McBeth and Wysocki begin to go back and forth like Climo and Schultz.
Total earnings for all professionals during the year totaled $2.1M.
Accumulated earnings for all professionals since 1979 totaled $22M.
2015 PDGA Career Accumulated Earnings
| Name & PDGA # | Home State | Accumulated Earnings |
| K. Climo – #4297 | Florida | $427,176 |
| D. Feldberg – #12626 | Georgia | $377,265 |
| B. Schultz – #6840 | North Carolina | $351,773 |
| P. McBeth – #27523 | California | $249,335 |
| N. Doss – #11794 | Oregon | $237,378 |
McBeth’s work pays off. In just a few short years he tops the leader board, knock Rico off.
McBeth had his best season yet with $72,045. In fact, this is the best season any single player has ever had in professional disc golf. He took first at the United States Disc Golf Championship – Open Flight, 2015 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships, and the European Open. This marks McBeth’s 4th World Champion title.
Amazingly, Ricky Wysocki is the runner up to McBeth is all three of the major events for the 2015 season. Wysocki is on the cusp, but not quite there yet.
There are now almost 40 players making over $10k during the season.
Total earnings for all professionals during the year totaled $2.7M.
Accumulated earnings for all professionals since 1979 totaled $24.7M.
2016 PDGA Career Accumulated Earnings
| Name & PDGA # | Home State | Accumulated Earnings |
| K. Climo – #4297 | Florida | $432,486 |
| D. Feldberg – #12626 | Georgia | $379,745 |
| B. Schultz – #6840 | North Carolina | $361,768 |
| P. McBeth – #27523 | California | $293,387 |
| N. Locastro – #11534 | Missouri | $260,090 |
This season its Wysoki’s turn. He takes his first title at the 2016 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships, only this time it is McBeth who is the runner up.
Nikko Locastro makes his first and only appearance on the top 5 all time earners list. This season marks the start of a slump for his career.
Climo is still the king of the hill with Feldberg and Schultz holding on as well.
Total earnings for all professionals during the year totaled $3M.
Accumulated earnings for all professionals since 1979 totaled $27.7M.
2017 PDGA Career Accumulated Earnings
| Name & PDGA # | Home State | Accumulated Earnings |
| K. Climo – #4297 | Florida | $432,486 |
| D. Feldberg – #12626 | Georgia | $392,658 |
| B. Schultz – #6840 | North Carolina | $377,484 |
| P. McBeth – #27523 | California | $362,798 |
| R. Wysocki – #38008 | South Carolina | $308,322 |
In 2017 Wysocki beats out McBeth’s 2015 season with $79,348 of earnings. He brings home his 2nd title at the 2017 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships. Of course, it was none other than McBeth himself that was the runner up.
Wysocki does well enough to claim the 5th place spot on the leader board. There are now over 50 professional players making over $10k per year.
Total earnings for all professionals during the year totaled $3.5M.
Accumulated earnings for all professionals since 1979 totaled $31.2M.
2018 PDGA Career Accumulated Earnings
| Name & PDGA # | Home State | Accumulated Earnings |
| K. Climo – #4297 | Florida | $432,486 |
| P. McBeth – #27523 | California | $420,678 |
| D. Feldberg – #12626 | Georgia | $405,805 |
| B. Schultz – #6840 | North Carolina | $389,122 |
| R. Wysocki – #38008 | South Carolina | $354,737 |
Paul McBeth is as close to Climo as anyone has come. Since 2016, Climo has stopped playing professional disc golf. Even after a few seasons of not earning any winnings, he is still on top.
McBeth takes the United States Disc Golf Championship over James Conrad, but he narrowly misses as the 2018 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships. It was Gregg Barsby that bested him that day. Even still, McBeth took 1st place in earns in 2018 with $57,880.
Total earnings for all professionals during the year totaled $3.7M.
Accumulated earnings for all professionals since 1979 totaled $37.8M.
2019 PDGA Career Accumulated Earnings (through July 2019)
| Name & PDGA # | Home State | Accumulated Earnings |
| P. McBeth – #27523 | California | $460,254 |
| K. Climo – #4297 | Florida | $432,486 |
| D. Feldberg – #12626 | Georgia | $411,124 |
| B. Schultz – #6840 | North Carolina | $399,288 |
| R. Wysocki – #38008 | South Carolina | $382,077 |
The 2019 season is not over yet. However, I wanted to show the numbers through July 2019 since it marks a very special occasion of when Ken Climo was finally dethroned from the top of the leader board.
He was on top from 1995 to 2019. Incredible.
What’s more incredible is how quickly Paul McBeth rose to the top. And inevitably we will see Ricky Wysocki likely pass the 12x champion as well. David Feldberg has taken a step back from full-time touring for other pursuits, but he will also pass Climo soon.
Conclusions
Almost every year for the last forty years, disc golf has seen growth. Now more than ever, players are accumulating amounts of money never before seen in the history of the sport. Ken Climo held the mantle of total earner from 1995 to mid-2019. Twenty-three total years he accumulated $430,000 in tournament winnings.
In half that time, Paul McBeth has over taken that amount with $460,000, with many others rising fast. This is good news of players wanting to go pro in disc golf. There’s going to be much more opportunity in the future.
From 2013 to 2018, total tournament winnings doubled. That’s just five years. If this same exponential growth continues into the future, we could see the sport double again in another two to three years.
Instead of the top 100 pro players making a living wage, we’ll likely see many, many more making the switch to full-time pro.