Schauffele Looking at Florida as Possible New Residence

Xander Schauffele is a self-described “west coast kid.” While it helps him in the January and February tournaments, because he knows the courses, the rest of the time, he’s not as familiar with the grass. That’s an important factor for professional golfers.

The rest of the country has varieties that are not what he grew up playing, even though he’s been successful in Hawaii, Connecticut, West Virginia, Atlanta, New Orleans, and Scotland. So while he talks about the grass out west, his record shows him to be grass indifferent.

However, that’s why he, like Pat Cantlay, Collin Morikawa, and others from the Golden State typically play early in the year. For them to move is unusual.

“There’s a reason everyone’s kind of on this side (of the country),” he said about Florida during his press conference at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

"“After the West Coast Swing pretty much everything’s east of Texas, so it would make a lot of sense, you know, minus a couple majors.”"

Right now Xander Schauffele is living in Las Vegas, but he said he “was trying” to move to Florida.  He complained that it was snowing in Nevada now, part of that giant weather pattern that, according to many weather experts, hasn’t been seen since the 1960s.

That was making his transition difficult. Weather in Las Vegas is usually very good, although hot in the summer. The snow is unusual.

Schauffele is living in Las Vegas, but he said he “was trying” to move to Florida.

However, there are several considerations for the decision to relocate. One reason is jet lag.

"“For the most part all the golf is Northeast, East, and the time zone and travel, I’m not getting younger, so trying to be a little bit smarter with my time.”"

Anyone who has done coast-to-coast travel frequently understands those issues.

"“I’m trying to grow some roots here in Florida, so there’s a good chance that you’ll see me a lot more often on these Florida courses.”"

Right now, there are just three PGA Tour tournaments in Florida, The Arnold Palmer Invitational, The Players, and the Valspar. However, it is likely, according to what Jack Nicklaus said during the Honda Classic, that a new sponsor will be found for that tournament, making four tournaments.

One additional reason might be because his friend Pat Cantlay has moved to Jupiter, Florida, and must have found it to his liking. Cantlay is so low-key that it’s unlikely he will talk about it much.

While Xander Schauffele works on finding a permanent home in the Sunshine State, he is sharing a house with Cantlay.

While no Tour players talk about it, another reason for the move is probably taxes. Florida has no state income tax. Many people have relocated there in the last decade for that reason alone.

Aside from his thoughts on a potential new residence, Schauffele offered some background on the reasons the PGA Tour is considering some no-cut tournaments. It’s a business decision.

“I am always for a cut. Emotionally I’m for a cut,” he said about his personal preference.

One reason for a no-cut tournament would be to provide the sponsors and the golf fans a guaranteed opportunity to see their favorite player on a weekend, versus the situation where the players aren’t there because they have missed the cut.

A bigger reason may be sponsors.

“I think it’s also an easier package to sell to the sponsors when you tell ’em that 20 of the top 20 players in the world are going to be there Thursday through Sunday,” he said, putting on his business hat.

So, there are still many issues to resolve on that topic. Meanwhile, Xander Schauffele is working on getting comfortable in a new state.