Americans Livid at ‘Overpriced’ Ryder Cup Fan Kits Released by the PGA 3 Weeks Before Event

Most golf fans won’t get the chance to attend the Ryder Cup live at Bethpage, but the PGA of America has offered an alternative: “Party Kits” designed to bring the atmosphere home. The idea isn’t entirely new. A few years ago, the Masters launched its “Taste of the Masters” package, a $150 kit in 2021 that included BBQ pork, pimento cheese, and branded cups, which fans widely considered good value for money. But this time, instead of excitement, the Ryder Cup rollout has sparked backlash, with many fans arguing that the prices make it feel less like an invitation and more like an exclusion.

The PGA has introduced two tiers of fan packs. The Ultimate Kit, priced at a staggering $1,081, includes 100 cocktail napkins, commemorative cups, coasters, drink stirs, skewers, flag toothpicks, 20 table tents, three bar menus, two “quiet please” paddles, window clings, a wall flag, a hanging pennant, a pillowcase banner, and even customizable digital promotional assets. 

For those unwilling to spend four figures, the At-Home Kit comes in at $343 and offers a pared-down selection of cocktail napkins, coasters, cups, hats, and other basics. While intended to replicate the excitement of being on the grounds, the steep costs have left many wondering who these kits are really for. Add to this the pricing controversy already brewing in the backdrop of soaring Ryder Cup expenses, and the backlash increases 

Earlier this year, the PGA of America drew criticism when single-day tickets at Bethpage Black were listed at $750— nearly triple the $185 entry fee at Whistling Straits for the 2021 edition.

When the Sports Business Journal shared the details of the kits on social media, the response was swift and overwhelmingly negative. 

Fan outrage over the PGA of America’s Ryder Cup kit

In an attempt to make home viewership memorable, the PGA of America has invited backlash with its steep pricing for the kits. The proof of which is the shocking reactions from the fans.

One fan on the post wrote, “Let’s copy The Masters but do a worse job. 😅.” The Masters offered two kits, the Classic kit costing $99.95, which serves 4-6 people, and the Large Hosting Kit, which serves 12-14 people, costing $179.95. The list of items in the Masters’ kit included egg salad, pimento cheese, plain potato chips, barbecue chips, and much more. However,  the Ryder Kits are priced five times higher, and they are not even offering anything similar to that.

Another fan joined by writing, “The @PGA of America instantly became dead to me when their ticket prices for this year’s RC, which should have been around $1,200 for all six days based on 1999’s prices at Brookline, plus inflation, were instead around $3,300. My son and I could afford $1,200. Not $3,300. Go Team Europe!” The 2019 PGA Championship was hosted at Bethpage Black, with a ticket cost of $110; for the 2021 Ryder Cup edition, the cost was approximately $350. But now the prices after one edition are just double for a single day.

While another fan joined with a calculator, writing, “That’s overpriced by about $1000.” The kit, which includes most of the paper items, is easily accessible to fans for approximately $100 at Walmart or any other store. Considering that option, the fans are opposed to the extraordinary pricing charged for the kit.

Even other fans speculated about its success. He wrote, “Wonder how many they will sell. 2? Maybe 3?” Well, the Masters Home Kits achieved a speculated number of $70 million in 2024 with the budget pricing and a load of options to address people’s requirements. However, with these overpriced kits, the fans are sure it will not be a successful attempt.

Another fan commented, “This unchecked and wildly out-of-touch greed is making the best competition in the sport start to seem like the absolute worst event in all of sports.” One more shared the same sentiment: “Nothing makes people hate golf more than corporate class bull shit like this.” Each move by the PGA of America was widely criticized, first for the overpriced tickets at $750. Then, the volunteer charges $350, which covers the uniform and food, which was introduced this year. Before the 2025 editions, the volunteers could enrol and help the organizers for free. Now, it costs to even help out, which has sent fans into a frenzy.

Will you be interested in buying the Ryder Cup Ultimate kit for $1,081? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.