Are Solheim Cup Players Paid?
The biennial matchplay contest is one of the biggest events in the women's golfing calendar but you might be surprised by the prize purse


Thank you for signing up to Golf Monthly. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
The Solheim Cup is one of the biggest contests in golf, a sell-out matchplay spectacle, so you’d be forgiven for thinking that the tournament would offer a sizeable purse for the professionals taking part.
Yet in an era where golfers are earning unprecedented amounts of money for playing the sport professionally you might be surprised to read that there is no money changing hands for participating in the Solheim Cup. No renumeration paid.
Instead, players are simply competing for their country, continent and sporting pride.
Ask any one of the players selected to represent Europe or the USA what it means to them and they’ll tell you that they play for the sheer love of the competition and the personal pride it brings to be able to represent their nation.
This is also the case for the men’s equivalent, the Ryder Cup. There is no prize money for the winning or losing team, or the player that gets the most points or anything like that.
European captain Suzann Pettersen with vice captains Anna Nordqvist, Caroline Martens and Laura Davies
That’s not to say that Solheim Cup players aren’t looked after like royalty for the week. They usually arrive via a team private jet, have chauffeur driven vehicles to whisk them to the venue, a lavish hotel to stay in and wonderful meals.
Sponsors love the Solheim Cup because it is one of the few weeks when no player can have a brand allegiance, they all have to wear the same clothing so that they look super smart and united in their team uniform.
The Solheim Cup captain’s can also choose to treat their team to little personal gifts. There have been a few aptly chosen gifts over the years but the one we love was from back in 2015, when the United States’ team arrived at St. Leon-Rot Golf Club in Germany on a Monday to a team room laden with lunch boxes! Captain Juli Inkster had been saying to the press in the run-up to the tournament that she wanted her American team to take their lunch boxes to the Solheim Cup, in other words adopt a blue-collar, workman-like approach to winning the Cup back. So she decided that the most appropriate gift she could give each team member was indeed a lunchbox, which was waiting for them in the team room.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Tips on how to play better, latest equipment reviews, interviews with the biggest names and more.

Carly Frost is one of the golf industry’s best-known female writers, having worked for golf magazines for over 20 years. As a consistent three-handicapper who plays competitive club golf at Parkstone and the Isle of Purbeck courses in Dorset every week, Carly is well-versed in what lady golfers love. Her passion for golf and skill at writing combine to give her an unbeatable insight into the ladies game.
Carly’s role at Golf Monthly is to help deliver thorough and accurate ladies equipment reviews, buying advice and comparisons to help you find exactly what you are looking for. So whether it’s the latest driver, set of irons, golf ball, pair of shoes or even an outfit, Carly will help you decide what to buy.
Over the years Carly has been fortunate to play some of the greatest courses in the world. Her view ‘from the ladies tee’ is invaluable. She ranks Sea Island, Georgia, USA, where she met her husband, world-renowned golf coach Dan Frost, among her favourite golf resorts. Their aptly-named eight-year-old son Hogan is already hitting the ball as far as Mum and will undoubtedly be a name to watch out for in the future.
Carly is a keen competitor and her list of golfing achievements are vast. She is a former winner of the South West of England Ladies Intermediate Championship, a three-time winner of the European Media Masters and she once beat an entire start-sheet of men to the title of Times Corporate World Golf Champion. She has played for both the Dorset and Surrey County Ladies first teams and is known for her excellent track record at matchplay.
Carly holds the ladies course record (68) at her home club Parkstone and her lowest competition round (seven-under-par 65) was carded in the pro-am of the Irish Ladies Open at Killeen Castle, playing alongside Solheim Cup superstar Anna Nordqvist. Although her current handicap index has crept up to 3.7 since Covid she has her sights firmly set on achieving that elusive scratch handicap and hopefully playing for her country when she’s 50.
Carly’s current What's In The Bag?
Driver: Callaway Epic Max, 10.5°
Fairway wood: TaylorMade SIM2, 15°
Hybrids: Titleist TS2, 19°, 21°, 24°
Irons: Mizuno JPX900, 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland RTX, 52°, 56° and 58°
Putter: Scotty Cameron Futura X5
Ball: 2021 Callaway Ladies SuperSoft
-
-
'Sore' Charley Hull Limited In Practice But Plays Down Neck Injury Scare
Charley Hull admits she has been limited in practice due to a neck injury but insisted she'll be ready to go for Friday's Solheim Cup start
By Paul Higham Published
-
How Rose Zhang Went From College To Solheim Cup Stardom In Four Months
The 20-year-old, already a winner on the LPGA Tour, is on quite some upward curve
By Michael Weston Published
-
'There Was A Very Real Fear The First Solheim Cup Would Be Hopelessly One-Sided'
Lewine Mair takes a look at the Solheim Cup's evolution and iconic clashes
By Lewine Mair Published
-
6 Unique Equipment Setups You’ll See At The Solheim Cup
Keep your eye out for these pieces of gear during Solheim Cup week at Finca Cortesin in Spain
By Michael Weston Published
-
How To Watch Solheim Cup Live Stream 2023: Schedule and Matches
How to watch a Solheim Cup live stream 2023. Holders Europe are marginal favourites to win at Finca Cortesin
By Roderick Easdale Last updated
-
Who Are The Solheim Cup Captains 2023?
We take a look at the Solheim Cup captains and their vice captains ahead of the 2023 match
By Alison Root Published
-
Why Charley Hull Asked Paula Creamer For An Autograph At The Solheim Cup
As if getting thrashed in the singles wasn't bad enough Paula Creamer was then asked to sign a golf ball by her opponent Charley Hull
By Mark Townsend Published
-
'Communication Is Key. There Are No Stupid Questions' - Leona Maguire On The Solheim Cup
Ireland's Leona Maguire reflects on her impressive Solheim Cup debut as she prepares for her second appearance
By Alison Root Published
-
Exclusive Q&A: Nelly Korda On Solheim Cup, Preferred Partners And Whether It's A 'Must Win'
As team USA prepares to try and win back the Solheim Cup, we spoke to Nelly Korda ahead of her third appearance
By Alison Root Published
-
'I Cut My Handicap From 34 To 9 In A Year'
Here are Jess Ratcliffe's 10 tips for breaking the plateau and taking your game to the next level
By Jess Ratcliffe Published