Consistency on the PGA Tour

Matthew Hood
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Matthew Hood: University of Southern Mississippi

Journal of Sports Economics, 2008, vol. 9, issue 5, 504-519

Abstract: Consistency is sought after by professional golfers and commended by analysts, but tournament theory predicts that inconsistency is beneficial when the reward scheme is top heavy. Simulating a typical tournament and adjusting each player's standard deviation, the author finds that all players earn more prize money and win more tournaments when they are less consistent—even with a slightly worse average score. Players are found to have some control over the variability of their scores: playing safer with a substantial lead and playing riskier when in danger of missing the cut. Inconsistency is not appreciated, but it is rewarding.

Keywords: consistency; risk; golf; tournament theory (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2008
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:jospec:v:9:y:2008:i:5:p:504-519

DOI: 10.1177/1527002507313741

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