Tiger Woods is famously known as one of the best golfers of all time. He was 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 in Cypress, California, in December 1975. He was considered a 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 prodigy in the game of golf, as his father, Earl Woods, introduced him to it at the age of two. Tiger was playing full rounds of golf at the age of three.
Woods continued developing his game throughout his 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥hood, which led to him becoming the youngest United States Junior Amateur in 1990 when he was just 15 years old. He competed in his first Professional Golf Association (PGA) Tour event just two years later, in 1992. That same year, he won the US Junior Amateur again and was also named the Golf World Player of the Year. He repeated as the US Junior Amateur winner again, the only golfer to three-peat in the event.
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After graduating from high school, Woods attended Stanford University. He won his first collegiate event before being voted the Pac-10 Player of the Year and an NCAA First Team All-American. That year, he also won his second US Amateur title. He was just 19 when he participated in his first PGA Tour major, the Masters in Augusta, Georgia, and made the cut. He won the NCAA individual golf championship the following year and then decided to turn professional at just 20 years old.
This began one of the most illustrious golf careers of all time. Over the years, Woods has won 82 official PGA Tour events, which is tied for first all-time. This includes 15 major championships, which is second all-time. He has won all four major championships in his career and was the youngest to do so. Woods also spent the most consecutive weeks atop the world rankings, has the longest streak of top-10 finishes, and has made the most consecutive cuts, among many other records in golf.
Lionel Messi currently operates a Gulfstream GV.
Woods’ impressive golf career resulted in his induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame. It also resulted in massive sponsorship deals with Nike and other golf companies over the years, including Titleist and Taylormade. These sponsorships, along with over $120 million in career earnings from his performance in PGA Tour events, resulted in Woods becoming the world’s first professional athlete to earn over a billion dollars.
In 2022, he surpassed a net worth of a billion dollars. Due to his impressive career and accumulated wealth, it is no wonder that Tiger Woods would utilize a private jet when traveling. His business jet allows the ultimate flexibility when traveling, as he can fly from any airport he wants whenever he wants. Let’s take a closer look at the business jet that Woods and his team utilize.
The Woods business jet
Specifically, Woods and his team operate a Gulfstream G550 registered as N517TW. Per JetSpy, this aircraft was first built in 2008 and is registered as serial number 5209. This aircraft is registered in Jupiter, Florida, where Tiger Woods is located, and it is also operated by Executive Jet Management, an air management and charter company that is based in Cincinnati, Ohio. This aircraft is powered by two Rolls-Royce BR700 turbofan engines, which each provide over 15,000 pounds of thrust each.
Photo: Media_works | Shutterstock
According to JetSpy, Woods has operated this jet for a total of 41 flights so far this year, which has amounted to 71 total flight hours. Several frequently visited airports are near major golf courses, as expected. The three most visited airports for N517TW in 2024 are:
A brief history of the Gulfstream G550
Gulfstream first began developing the Gulfstream G550 as an upgrade from the famous Gulfstream V. The Savannah, Georgia-based company wanted to improve the aircraft’s range, cruise speed, and maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) to rival Bombardier’s upgrades to the Bombardier Global Express, a direct competitor.
The first Gulfstream G550 prototype completed its maiden flight in July 2002. It received its Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) type certificate the following summer, in August 2003. Deliveries of the aircraft began in 2004.
Photo: Ryan Fletcher | Shutterstock
Several notable operators have acquired Gulfstream G550s for use. It has been one of the most popular aircraft for celebrities and executives across the world. The following celebrities have owned or operated a Gulfstream G550 at one point:
The aircraft is also operated by many corporate businesses, including 3M, American Express, Bank of America, Disney, PayPal, Nissan, Pfizer, and countless more.
Photo: viper-zero I Shutterstock
Design features of the Gulfstream G550 Several design upgrades were implemented on the Gulfstream G550 compared to the Gulfstream GV. The newer aircraft had several drag reduction details, including structural changes to the wing. This improved the aircraft’s range and in-flight efficiency. The aircraft also featured newly upgraded Rolls-Royce engines, as previously mentioned.
The G550 has the following specifications:
Length
96 feet five inches
Height
25 feet ten inches
Wingspan
93 feet six inches
Maximum takeoff weight (MTOW)
91,000 pounds
Range
6,750 NM (7,770 miles)
Maximum speed
Mach 0.885 (655 mph)
Cruise Speed
Mach 0.85 (630 mph)
Service Ceiling
51,000 feet
The G550 has a maximum capacity of 19 passengers, although the standard configuration can fit 14 passengers. The interior cabin is longer than the Gulfstream GV, due to the cabin door being moved forward and an extra window added. It has a cabin altitude of 6,000 feet when flying at altitude.
Inside the cockpit, the G550 utilizes the Honeywell Primus Epic avionics suite. This features an enhanced vision system and a head-up guidance system provided by Rockwell Collins.
