Base Salary and Weekly Earnings Structure
Most PGA Tour caddies earn a base salary between $1,000 and $2,000 per tournament week, with the exact amount set by individual player-caddie contracts. On the PGA Tour, the standard base typically falls near $1,500 per event, while European Tour caddies often negotiate similar weekly figures. Top caddies working with star players can command higher base pay, sometimes exceeding $2,500 per week, because their value to tournament performance is well documented. For the latest PGA Tour compensation norms, see the official PGA Tour caddie guidelines at https://www.pgatour.com.
In addition to the base, caddies receive a percentage of the player's winnings, usually ranging from 5% to 10% of the prize money. A standard deal for a caddie on a PGA Tour regular event pays about 5% of the player's earnings, with 7% to 10% for major championships. This structure means a caddie's weekly income can jump from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands if the player finishes high or wins. Forbes has covered PGA Tour caddie pay in detail, noting that top caddies routinely earn six-figure annual incomes from prize money splits at https://www.forbes.com.
Top PGA Tour Caddie Earnings and Notable Deals
The highest-paid caddies work with players who regularly contend at major championships and elite events. Joe LaCava, long-time caddie for Tiger Woods, earned widespread attention for his role in Woods' victories and major wins, with estimates placing his annual take well into six figures. Other top caddies, such as those paired with players like Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, earn strong base salaries plus large bonus percentages because their players frequently finish in the top positions. The PGA Tour's official player earnings data, which indirectly reflects caddie income potential, is available at https://www.pgatour.com.
When a player wins a major, the caddie's payout can reach several hundred thousand dollars depending on the prize purse and the negotiated percentage. For example, a 10% cut of a major championship purse worth $20 million yields $2 million for the player, and the caddie's share from that single event can exceed $200,000. These high-stakes deals are often reported in sports business coverage, with detailed breakdowns of caddie compensation appearing in Forbes profiles and PGA Tour financial analyses at https://www.forbes.com.
Additional Income Sources and Career Outlook
Beyond tournament pay, many pro caddies earn money through appearance fees, sponsor bonuses, and performance incentives tied to specific finishes. Some caddies secure separate endorsement deals with equipment or apparel brands, especially if they work with high-profile players. Others receive bonuses for reaching certain milestones, such as a certain number of wins or top-10 finishes across a season. The European Tour and PGA Tour both allow flexible contract structures that can include these additional income streams, as outlined in player and caddie contract discussions covered by the PGA Tour at https://www.pgatour.com.
The career outlook for pro caddies remains strong because demand for experienced, knowledgeable caddies stays high among PGA Tour and European Tour players. Top caddies often move between players based on performance and reputation, with the best contracts going to those who have a track record of helping players