Average Caddy Pay and Salary Structure
Professional golf caddies typically earn a base salary plus a percentage of the player's winnings, with total compensation varying widely by tour level and player success. On the PGA Tour, caddies commonly receive a base salary ranging from $1,000 to $2,000 per tournament, with a performance bonus of 5% to 10% of the player's earnings, according to industry reports and player interviews Forbes. The median total annual income for PGA Tour caddies falls between $100,000 and $300,000, though top caddies on winning streaks can earn significantly more.
On the Korn Ferry Tour and mini-tours, caddies often earn smaller base fees and lower percentage splits, resulting in annual incomes closer to $30,000 to $75,000. Caddies on the LPGA Tour generally follow a similar base-plus-percentage model, with total earnings depending on the player's tour status and performance. Local and club caddies at public and daily-fee courses may earn hourly wages between $15 and $30, with annual pay shaped by hours worked and seasonal demand.
PGA Tour Earnings, Bonuses, and Top Caddy Pay
PGA Tour caddies can earn substantial bonuses when their players win or finish high, with a 10% cut of a victory purse being a common arrangement for top caddies. In 2024, caddies for players who won multiple events or finished in the top of the FedEx Cup standings reported total compensation packages exceeding $500,000, with some elite caddies earning over $1 million in a season Forbes. The exact split is negotiated between the player and caddie and can change over the course of a season based on performance.
Beyond tournament earnings, PGA Tour caddies may receive travel stipends, housing allowances, and bonuses for consistent top finishes. The PGA Tour's official player and caddie compensation structures are not fully public, but reported figures from player interviews and caddy profiles show a wide range from part-time caddies earning under $50,000 to full-time caddies on star players earning several hundred thousand dollars annually PGA Tour. Caddies who work with multiple players across a season can stack earnings from different base salaries and bonus structures.
Caddy Pay by Experience, Tour Level, and Career Path
Caddy pay scales with experience, reputation, and the success of the player they work for, with veteran caddies commanding higher base salaries and larger percentage splits. Entry-level caddies often start as bag carriers or local course caddies, earning hourly wages or small flat fees before advancing to PGA Tour or Korn Ferry Tour assignments. Caddies who build long-term partnerships with top players can see their earnings grow substantially as the player's ranking and prize money increase Forbes.
The career path for a caddy typically involves moving from local and regional tournaments to national tours, with top c