How Much Do the Highest Paid Caddies Earn
The highest paid caddies on the PGA Tour typically earn between $1 million and $2 million per season through a combination of base salary and winnings percentage. Most caddies receive a base weekly salary of around $1,000 to $2,000 plus a percentage of the player's winnings, often ranging from 5% to 10% of a tournament purse, with higher percentages for major victories. Forbes reports that top caddies like Joe LaCava and Ted Scott have earned eight-figure incomes in strong seasons by aligning with star players who contend regularly at high-value events. The exact earnings depend on the player's consistency, the tour's prize pool structure, and the negotiated deal between the caddie and the golfer.
Caddie compensation has evolved as players increasingly view caddies as strategic partners rather than just bag carriers. Players like Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and Scottie Scheffler have publicly credited their caddies for major gains in shot selection and course management. According to PGA Tour documents and player interviews, caddies who help secure a major championship win can earn a dramatic payout spike, sometimes exceeding the player's own prize check percentage. The highest paid caddies often secure multi-year deals with built-in bonuses for top finishes, Ryder Cup appearances, and major victories.
Top Highest Paid Caddies and Their Players
Joe LaCava, long-time caddie for Tiger Woods and later for Fred Couples, is widely cited as one of the highest paid caddies in golf history, earning an estimated multi-million dollar annual income during peak years. Ted Scott, who worked closely with Steve Stricker, and Mike "Fluff" Cowan, a longtime caddie for Jim Furyk, are also frequently mentioned among the top earners due to their long tenures with stable, high-finishing players. More recently, caddies paired with players like Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and Jon Rahm have entered the highest paid tier thanks to their players' consistent contention and major championship success.
The PGA Tour's official player and caddie data, along with tournament earnings reports, show that caddie pay closely tracks player performance and tournament prestige. A caddie whose player wins a World Golf Championship or a FedEx Cup playoff event can earn a substantially larger share than one whose player misses the cut regularly. According to the PGA Tour's official site, the tour's official purse distributions and player-caddie agreements are not fully public, but caddie pay is widely inferred from player interviews, agent disclosures, and sports business reporting by outlets like Forbes and ESPN.
PGA Tour Caddy Pay Structure and Industry Trends
The standard PGA Tour caddy pay model combines a weekly base salary with a percentage of the player's winnings, typically starting at 5% of the purse and increasing to 7% or 10% for wins, with higher percentages for major championships. Some caddies negotiate a flat salary instead of a percentage, especially when working with a player who has a large guaranteed contract or sponsorship portfolio, while others prefer a pure percentage deal that aligns their income directly with tournament success. The highest paid caddies often have deals that include bonuses for top-10 finishes, Ryder Cup selections, and career milestones like a first major victory.
Industry trends show that caddie pay has risen in parallel with the overall growth of professional golf prize money and the increased media and sponsorship value of top players. The PGA Tour's official site notes that the tour's total purse and player earnings have grown substantially over the past decade, and caddies have benefited from that expansion. The Sports Business Journal and Forbes have reported that caddie contracts now sometimes include clauses related to media appearances, sponsorship activations, and long-term retirement or severance terms, reflecting the professionalization of