Golf tournaments continue to break records for ticket prices this year. The Masters charged over $2,000 for practice rounds. US Open passes hit $435 for single days. Major events seem locked in a race to see who can charge the most. But one prestigious upcoming tournament just flipped that script entirely.

Golf analyst Josh Carpenter recently announced that the 2026 Presidents Cup at Medinah Country Club will offer practice round tickets starting at just $50. The priciest general admission ticket for Saturday costs $165. That’s the complete story. No hidden fees bundled into four-digit nightmares.

The response from fans? Swift and decisive. “Superior event,” one fan declared on X. Another viewer didn’t mince words either. “$138 for Friday grounds tickets. No brainer,” the response read. Look at the difference between this event and what happened at Bethpage Black earlier this year.

The 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black charged fans $750 per competition day. Practice rounds cost $255 each. The event faced massive backlash as fans accused organizers of pricing out genuine golf enthusiasts. Compare that to the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome, which charged just $265 for competition days.

The PGA of America defended the astronomical pricing through tournament director Bryan Karns. He positioned it as a “Tier 1 event that’s on par with a World Series or an NBA Finals Game 7.” Fans weren’t buying the justification, though. “This is going to be 90% corporate buyers. Nobody normal is paying $800 for a Ryder Cup ticket,” one social media user wrote in response at the time.

Here’s what’s actually happening with sales. Carpenter revealed that 40% of Presidents Cup grounds tickets have already sold since going on sale in September. The tour also hit 75% of its premium sales goal. Fans clearly prefer affordability when given the choice between these team competitions.

The affordability gap becomes even more striking when you consider the events’ market positions. The Presidents Cup has historically struggled with perception issues compared to the Ryder Cup. Television ratings have consistently lagged. The 2024 Presidents Cup drew just 1.37 million NBC viewers on the final day, marking a 28% drop from 2022.

Yet fans are now calling the Presidents Cup “superior” solely on accessibility. The $165 peak ticket price represents a fraction of what Bethpage Black demanded. This fan rebellion against premium pricing reveals a deeper divide in golf’s approach to spectators.

Ryder Cup exclusivity vs Presidents Cup accessibility model

The Ryder Cup embraced an exclusivity model that backfired spectacularly at Bethpage. Despite charging $750 per day, the 2025 event witnessed some of the worst fan behavior in golf history. Continuous profanity and personal attacks plagued European players throughout the tournament. The premium pricing failed to deliver the refined atmosphere that organizers promised.

The Presidents Cup chose a radically different path for 2026. Starting at $50 for practice rounds, the event positions itself as accessible to everyday golf fans. The tour implemented dynamic pricing to encourage early purchases. All tickets provide access to open-to-the-public venues and culinary experiences showcasing Chicago-area culture.

This philosophical divide extends beyond just these two events. The golf industry faces a fundamental tension between revenue maximization and traditional values of accessibility. The Masters charges $1,061 to $2,164 for practice rounds. US Open single-day passes cost $382 to $435. These premium strategies mirror the Ryder Cup approach.

However, other events demonstrate that alternative models work. THE PLAYERS Championship starts with tickets at just $30. The Arnold Palmer Invitational offers free admission for youth 15 and under. These initiatives prioritize growing the game over squeezing maximum revenue from each attendee.

Fans have spoken through their ticket purchases. Accessibility matters more than prestige when choosing which event deserves the “superior” label. The old pecking order between these team competitions might be changing based on who can actually afford to attend.