The nappy factor in golf : the effect of children on the sporting performance of professional golfers

Syme, T

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of children upon the sporting performance of fathers who are professional golfers. Biographical and sporting data for 225 professional golfers are used to estimate fixed-effects regressions. In line with other studies, it is found that performance and earnings improve significantly after the birth of the first child and that this declines after each subsequent child. The fatherhood premium, or ‘nappy factor’, is estimated to be an increase in earnings of 10% for any first child, but this rises to 16% if the first-born child is a son and remains the only child. This study suggests that the rank-order nature of tournaments and the non-linear distribution of prize money within professional golf creates positive incentives to increase work effort, but that tournaments also increase pressure, particularly towards the end of tournament, and that ability to perform under pressure is increased if the player has a son as a first-born child.

Citation

Syme, T. The nappy factor in golf : the effect of children on the sporting performance of professional golfers. Presented at MathSport International 2017, University of Padua

• Presentation Conference Type: Other
• Conference Name: MathSport International 2017
• Conference Location: University of Padua
• End Date: Jun 28, 2017
• Publication Date: Jun 1, 2017
• Deposit Date: Jan 24, 2022
• Book Title: Proceedings of MathSport International 2017 Conference
• ISBN: 9788869380587
• Publisher URL: http://www.padovauniversitypress.it/publications/9788869380587
• Related Public URLs: http://www.padovauniversitypress.it/
• Additional Information: Access Information : The conference proceedings can be downloaded for free using the link above.; Event Type : Conference