Base Salary and Weekly Pay for PGA Tour Caddies
Most PGA Tour caddies earn a base salary between $1,000 and $2,000 per tournament week, with top caddies commanding $2,500 or more per event. This weekly pay is separate from prize money bonuses and is typically paid by the player or their sponsor regardless of the tournament finish. According to recent reporting on PGA Tour compensation structures, base pay often reflects the caddie's experience, relationship with the player, and the player's standing on the tour Forbes.
Lower-ranked players and rookie caddies may start at the lower end of the range, while caddies paired with marquee names can negotiate higher weekly guarantees. In some cases, sponsorship deals or apparel contracts add a small stipend, though this is less common than direct player payments. The base salary is designed to cover travel and daily expenses, while the real earning potential comes from tournament performance bonuses.
Percentage Cuts and Prize Money Earnings
The standard PGA Tour caddie pay structure includes a percentage cut of the player's winnings, typically ranging from 5% to 10% of the player's earnings. Top caddies with elite players often earn the higher end of this range, while newer caddies may start at 5% and negotiate increases as the player succeeds Forbes.
A caddie whose player wins a major championship can earn a six-figure bonus from the percentage cut alone, even if the base salary is modest. The exact split is usually outlined in a written agreement between the player and caddie, and it can be renegotiated mid-season if the player's performance improves significantly.
Top Caddies, Bonuses, and Total Earnings
High-profile caddies such as those working with major champions can earn total annual compensation exceeding $1 million when combining base salary, percentage cuts, and performance bonuses. These caddies often receive additional bonuses for specific achievements, such as winning a World Golf Championship or finishing in the top 10 at a major Forbes.
Some caddies also earn supplemental income through appearance fees, sponsor activations, and social media partnerships, though these opportunities are reserved for the most visible caddies on tour. The PGA Tour does not officially publish caddie pay data, so total earnings are estimated from player and caddie interviews, agent disclosures, and industry reports Forbes.