Private Jets and Golf: Florida's New Carbon Problem

Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy's golf league, TGL, recently sparked an environmental debate. They've partnered with a luxury private jet company, ONEflight, to transport players between PGA Tour events and TGL matches. This is due to a scheduling clash, with the PGA Tour starting on December 30, 2024, and TGL kicking off on January 7, 2025. The first TGL match is in Florida, about 5,000 miles from the PGA Tour event in Maui. Private jets emit a lot of CO₂, with some studies showing over 2 tonnes per hour of flight. This adds to the already significant carbon footprint of professional golfers. Did you know golfers have the second-highest CO₂ emissions among sports? A lot of this comes from their frequent travel. Celebrities like Taylor Swift often face criticism for using private jets. Similarly, many top golfers, including Woods and McIlroy, own private jets. This new deal could increase the CO₂ emissions from TGL events, further impacting the environment. It's important to consider these factors when discussing the future of sports and their impact on the planet.