If you’re staring at your TV remote on a Thursday morning wondering why the tournament isn't on the "usual" spot, you aren't alone. Keeping track of the schedule is honestly a full-time job. Between the "Signature Events," the rotating network deals, and the weird split-second handoffs between cable and broadcast, it’s a lot.
Basically, if you want to know what channel is pga tour golf on right now, the answer depends entirely on the hour of the day and which coast the players are on.
For the 2026 season, the "Big Three" of golf broadcasting—NBC, CBS, and Golf Channel—still hold the keys to the kingdom. But there’s a new heavy hitter in town called ESPN+ (specifically under their "ESPN Select" or "Unlimited" branding) that carries the heavy lifting for the early morning waves.
The Standard TV Rotation (Golf Channel & Friends)
For most standard weeks, the rhythm is predictable. You’ve got the Golf Channel handling the "early" coverage of rounds one and two. They also usually take the first few hours of the weekend rounds before handing the baton over to the big network affiliates.
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NBC Sports and USA Network
NBC owns the rights to a huge chunk of the Florida swing and the high-stakes FedExCup Playoffs. If you’re watching the The Players Championship or the U.S. Open, you’re firmly in NBC territory. Interestingly, they often use USA Network as a relief valve for early-round coverage during the majors. It’s a bit of a legacy move from when they killed off NBCSN, but it works.
CBS Sports
CBS is the home of the "Masters" (though they share the early bits with ESPN) and a massive portion of the spring and summer schedule. If it's a Saturday afternoon and Jim Nantz is whispering in your ear, you’re on CBS. They generally take over the broadcast at 3:00 PM ET on weekends.
The Streaming Shift: ESPN+ and Peacock
Streaming isn't just an "extra" anymore. It’s where the actual golf happens.
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ESPN+ is the powerhouse here. Their "PGA Tour Live" coverage is essentially four different channels in one. You get:
- The Main Feed: The standard broadcast.
- Marquee Groups: Following the big names like Scottie Scheffler or Rory McIlroy for every single shot.
- Featured Groups: Two other high-profile groups.
- Featured Holes: Usually the most iconic Par 3 on the course where things get chaotic.
Then there’s Peacock. Since NBC owns the Golf Channel, they’ve moved almost all of their linear golf coverage onto Peacock. If a tournament is on NBC, it’s also on Peacock. Sometimes, Peacock even has exclusive windows that aren’t on cable at all.
Major Championships Are Different
Don't let the regular season fool you. The four majors play by their own rules when it comes to what channel is pga tour golf on.
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- The Masters (April 9–12, 2026): This is a weird one. Amazon Prime Video has actually stepped in for some early-round stuff, while ESPN handles the mid-day and CBS owns the late afternoon.
- PGA Championship (May 14–17, 2026): Look for this on ESPN and CBS.
- U.S. Open (June 18–21, 2026): This is the NBC and USA Network show.
- The Open Championship (July 16–19, 2026): Since it’s across the pond, you’ll be watching USA Network at 4:00 AM ET and NBC for the finish.
Watching Without a Traditional Cable Box
If you've cut the cord, you have options. YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV are the safest bets because they carry the local CBS/NBC affiliates and the Golf Channel.
Sling TV is a cheaper alternative, but you have to be careful. You’ll need the "Blue" package to get USA Network and then the "Sports Extra" add-on to get the Golf Channel. You’ll still be missing the local CBS/NBC channels in many markets, so a digital antenna might be necessary to fill the gaps.
2026 PGA Tour Broadcast Schedule Highlights
| Event | Primary TV Channel | Streaming Option |
|---|---|---|
| Sony Open in Hawaii | Golf Channel | ESPN+ |
| WM Phoenix Open | Golf Channel / CBS | Paramount+ |
| The Players Championship | Golf Channel / NBC | Peacock |
| The Masters | ESPN / CBS | Masters.com / Paramount+ |
| U.S. Open | USA / NBC | Peacock |
| Tour Championship | Golf Channel / NBC | Peacock |
Actionable Steps for the Golf Fan
To make sure you never miss a tee time, follow these steps:
- Download the PGA Tour App: It sounds basic, but the "Watch" tab updates in real-time based on your location and tells you exactly which app to open.
- Check the "Overflow" Channels: If a round runs long due to a weather delay, keep CNBC and ESPN2 on your radar. Networks hate bumping the local news, so they’ll often shove the final three holes onto these random channels.
- Audit Your Subs: If you only care about the big Sunday finishes, a Paramount+ (for CBS) and Peacock (for NBC) combo is cheaper than a full cable replacement.
- Get a 4K Setup: For 2026, many of the Signature Events on NBC and CBS are being broadcast in native 4K. If your streaming service supports it (like YouTube TV’s 4K tier), it’s a game-changer for seeing the break on the greens.
The landscape is definitely fragmented. But once you realize that the mornings belong to streaming and the afternoons belong to the networks, it’s a lot easier to navigate.