You're sitting there, coffee in hand, ready to watch some golf. But then you realize you have no idea if the tournament is on NBC, CBS, or some streaming app you haven't even downloaded yet. Honestly, trying to navigate the pga tour television schedule lately feels like trying to read a green at Augusta with a blindfold on. One minute you're watching on the Golf Channel, the next you're hunting for a password to log into Peacock or ESPN+.
It's frustrating.
The 2026 season hasn't made things any simpler, though it has definitely gotten more exciting. We've got Signature Events, a revamped FedExCup chase, and a broadcasting web that spans four or five different platforms. If you want to see Scottie Scheffler or Rory McIlroy actually hoist a trophy on Sunday, you've got to know exactly where to look.
The Basic Breakdown of the 2026 Season
Basically, the season is a marathon that starts in the islands and ends in the heat of Atlanta. The 2026 schedule kicked off on January 15 with the Sony Open in Hawaii. From there, it’s a relentless march through the West Coast swing before heading to Florida.
You’ve probably noticed the "Signature Events" by now. These are the high-stakes, big-purse tournaments like the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am (Feb 12-15) and The Genesis Invitational (Feb 19-22). Because the money is so huge—we're talking $20 million purses—the TV coverage is significantly more "polished."
For most of the regular season, the pga tour television schedule follows a predictable, if slightly annoying, split. Early round coverage (Thursday and Friday) almost always lives on the Golf Channel. When the weekend hits, the big boys like CBS and NBC take over the afternoon slots.
💡 You might also like: Navy Notre Dame Football: Why This Rivalry Still Hits Different
Where to Find Your Favorite Tournaments
If you're looking for the Masters (April 9-12), don't go looking for NBC. CBS has had a death grip on that green jacket since forever. They share the early rounds with ESPN, but the Sunday drama is all Jim Nantz and the CBS crew.
Conversely, the U.S. Open (June 18-21) at Shinnecock Hills is a whole different animal. That’s NBC’s territory. They usually lean heavily on the USA Network for the morning waves before switching to the main NBC channel for the finish.
Here is a quick look at how the network distribution typically shakes out for the big ones:
- The Players Championship (March 12-15): NBC and Golf Channel handle this one at TPC Sawgrass. It's basically the "fifth major," so expect wall-to-wall coverage.
- PGA Championship (May 14-17): This year it’s at Aronimink Golf Club. CBS and ESPN split the duties here, much like the Masters.
- The Open Championship (July 16-19): Since it's at Royal Birkdale in England, you’re looking at some early morning alarms. NBC and USA Network handle the coverage, often starting as early as 1:30 AM or 4:00 AM ET.
The Streaming Giant: ESPN+ and PGA Tour Live
Let’s be real: if you really love golf, cable isn't enough anymore.
PGA Tour Live on ESPN+ has become the absolute backbone of the pga tour television schedule. If you want to see the "Marquee Groups"—you know, the guys actually leading the tournament who haven't made it to the main broadcast yet—you need this.
📖 Related: LeBron James Without Beard: Why the King Rarely Goes Clean Shaven Anymore
They provide over 4,300 hours of live coverage annually. That includes "Featured Groups" and "Featured Holes." Ever wanted to just watch players struggle with the 17th at Sawgrass for six hours straight? This is where you do it.
It's actually a pretty good deal if you're a cord-cutter. For about $12.99 a month (the ESPN Select tier), you get the morning waves that the traditional networks miss entirely.
The FedExCup Playoffs: The Final Sprint
Everything in 2026 leads to August. The FedExCup Playoffs are where the schedule gets really tight.
- FedEx St. Jude Championship (Aug 13-16): TPC Southwind in Memphis.
- BMW Championship (Aug 20-23): Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis.
- TOUR Championship (Aug 27-30): East Lake in Atlanta.
CBS is usually the primary home for the playoffs. They’ve got a long-standing deal that covers the bulk of the post-season drama. If you’re trying to see who wins the $40 million prize at the end, make sure your local CBS affiliate is working.
Don't Forget the "Other" Events
It's easy to focus on the big names, but the pga tour television schedule also includes some unique stuff. We've got the Zurich Classic of New Orleans (April 23-26), which is the only team event on the schedule. It's a nice break from the standard stroke play.
👉 See also: When is Georgia's next game: The 2026 Bulldog schedule and what to expect
Then there’s the Presidents Cup (Sept 24-27) at Medinah Country Club. While not a "Tour" event in the points sense, it's a huge part of the 2026 broadcast year. NBC usually takes the lead on international team events like this.
How to Actually Stay Organized
Honestly, the best way to handle this is to have a "golf folder" on your phone. Put the ESPN app, the NBC Sports/Peacock app, and the Paramount+ (for CBS) app all in one place.
It's a lot. I get it.
But the quality of the broadcasts has actually improved. The use of drones, better "mic'd up" segments, and Toptracer technology on every single shot makes it worth the hassle of switching apps.
Actionable Next Steps for Golf Fans
To make sure you don't miss a single putt this season, start by auditing your current subscriptions. Check if your cable package includes the Golf Channel; if not, you’ll lose about 70% of the tournament coverage. Next, sign up for the ESPN Select tier if you want the full morning experience—it’s the only way to see the featured groups before the 3:00 PM ET network switch. Finally, bookmark the official PGA Tour "Ways to Watch" page, as they update the specific "Featured Hole" times every Wednesday night before the tournament begins. If you do those three things, you'll never be stuck staring at a blank screen while your favorite player is on the 18th fairway.