About Skip Ward Expertise Former PGA PROFESSIONAL: Golf related questions regarding Rules, Etiquette,
PGA TOUR, PGA Players, Game History, Club History, Golf Trivia, and US
Courses to Play/Trip Recommendations. LOVE THE GAME!
Answer Dear Bette, thanks for the question. Essentially the Nationwide Tour is the Minor Leagues for the PGA Tour. Many players who don't qualify for the PGA Tour, based on their previous years play, will play on the Nationwide Tour. It is a series of events just like the PGA Tour, every week, but in smaller markets and much smaller prize money. If a player plays well enough on the Nationwide he can actually move up to the PGA Tour in the middle of a season, in what is called a battle-field promotion. Otherwise he will have to attempt to requalify for the PGA Tour again the next year at Qualifying School which is a tremendously stress-filled event over 6 rounds. Those that play the best will make the PGA, those that just miss will play another year on the Nationwide. And those that don't qualify for either wait another year. Incidentally it get its name from Nationwide Insurance as a sponsor of the Tour. (Formerly known as the Ben Hogan Tour, the Nike Tour and the Buy.com tour...all former sponsors) Good luck and remember...
