Does Scottie Scheffler Have a Private Jet? The Surprising Reality of How the World No. 1 Travels

Does Scottie Scheffler Have a Private Jet? The Surprising Reality of How the World No. 1 Travels

You’d think the guy sitting on top of the golf world would be stepping off a shiny Gulfstream G650 with his name painted on the tail.

Scottie Scheffler has basically turned the PGA Tour into his own personal ATM over the last few years. By the start of 2026, he’s already cleared well over $140 million in official prize money alone. Toss in the FedEx Cup bonuses and a massive endorsement portfolio including Nike and TaylorMade, and the math suggests he could buy a fleet of planes if he felt like it.

But does Scottie Scheffler have a private jet?

Actually, no. Not in the way you’re thinking. He doesn’t "own" a plane. He isn't out there paying for hangar space in Dallas or worrying about whether his pilots have had their physicals this year. Instead, Scottie does what a lot of the ultra-rich but sensible athletes do: he uses a partnership to get where he needs to go without the headache of actual ownership.

The NetJets Connection: How Scottie Really Flies

Instead of buying a jet outright, Scottie Scheffler is a brand ambassador for NetJets.

This isn't just a "he uses them sometimes" situation. It’s a formal partnership. NetJets is the "Official Private Jet Provider of the PGA Tour," and they have a massive roster of golfers who use their fractional ownership and lease programs. Basically, Scottie pays for access to a massive fleet of planes, but he doesn't have to deal with the mechanical or administrative side of things.

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It’s a smart move. When you own a jet, it costs you money every second it sits on the ground. When you're a NetJets owner or partner, you just call up a flight, and a jet shows up at the nearest airport.

Why he chose the "no-ownership" route

Honestly, it fits his vibe. If you’ve followed Scottie at all, you know he’s not exactly "flashy." This is the same guy who famously drove an old GMC Yukon for years after he was already a millionaire because it still ran fine. He’s pragmatic.

  1. Flexibility: He can get a small jet for a quick hop to a tournament or a larger one if he's traveling with his wife, Meredith, and their son, Bennett.
  2. Privacy: NetJets flights are identifiable only by tail number. They aren't publicly associated with the owner's name. For the most famous golfer on the planet, that’s a huge safety and sanity perk.
  3. The "Standby" Incident: We saw how crucial this was during the 2024 Masters. Scottie had a private jet on standby near Augusta National just in case Meredith went into labor. He needed to be able to leave at a moment's notice. You don't necessarily need to own the plane to have that kind of service; you just need the right contract.

Breaking Down the Wealth: Can He Afford One?

Let’s be real—the money is almost comical at this point. By early 2026, Scottie has solidified himself as one of the highest-earning athletes in history.

He recently crossed the $100 million career earnings mark on the PGA Tour, joining the exclusive club of Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. His 2024 and 2025 seasons were so dominant that he was basically printing money every Sunday.

If he wanted to buy a mid-sized private jet, like a Cessna Citation Latitude (a favorite in the NetJets fleet), he’d be looking at a price tag around $20 million. Maintenance, fuel, and crew would run him another $1 million to $2 million a year.

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He could pay for that with a single year’s worth of FedEx Cup bonuses.

But he hasn't done it. While guys like Tiger Woods own a "Gulfstream V" and Greg Norman has a long history of owning massive aircraft, Scottie seems content with the service model.

Comparison: Who actually owns their planes?

  • Tiger Woods: Owns a Gulfstream G550 (valued around $50 million).
  • Phil Mickelson: Owned a Gulfstream V for years but has been vocal about the high costs of maintenance.
  • Ernie Els: Another long-time owner who used his plane to bridge the gap between the US and South Africa.
  • Scottie Scheffler: NetJets Ambassador. He gets the same luxury but skips the "money pit" aspect of owning a depreciating asset.

Life on the Road for the World’s Best

Traveling as a pro golfer is a grind that most people don't fully grasp. You're in a different city every week. For Scottie, the travel isn't just about luxury; it’s about recovery.

He uses a system called GolfForever to stay flexible on the road. Being able to fly private means he can fit his training equipment on the plane, avoid the germ-fest of commercial terminals, and—most importantly—get home to Dallas faster.

I’ve seen reports of him leaving a tournament on Sunday evening and being home in time to put his kid to bed. You just can't do that if you're waiting on a delayed flight at O'Hare.

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Is an ownership move coming in 2026?

With his new Huntington Bank sponsorship kicking in for the 2026 season (their logo is now on his bag), his off-course income is hitting new heights. Sometimes, when a player's brand gets this big, they eventually buy the plane for the tax write-offs or the sheer convenience of having their own "office in the sky."

However, Scottie’s focus has always been on the golf, not the gear. He's working on hitting 20 career wins to secure that lifetime PGA Tour membership. He’s focused on the four majors he now has in his trophy case.

As long as NetJets keeps providing him with a reliable ride, he probably won't be shopping for a plane anytime soon.

Key Takeaways for Fans

  • No ownership: Scottie does not own a private jet as of 2026.
  • Strategic Partner: He uses NetJets for all his professional and personal travel.
  • Pragmatic Wealth: Despite having a net worth estimated over $120 million, he maintains a relatively low-key lifestyle compared to the legends of the 90s and 2000s.

If you’re looking to track his travel, you won’t find a "Scheffler-Air" tail number. You’ll just see him consistently showing up at the top of the leaderboard, likely having arrived on a chartered flight that allowed him to stay "Scottie"—relaxed, focused, and ready to win.

Actionable Insight: If you're looking to follow Scottie’s 2026 season, keep an eye on his schedule at the WM Phoenix Open and the upcoming majors. His travel efficiency is a huge part of why he stays so fresh late in the season, even when other players are starting to burn out from the constant commercial travel stress.