Standard PGA Tour Caddie Pay Structure
Most PGA Tour caddies earn a weekly base salary plus a percentage of the player's winnings. The base salary typically ranges from $1,000 to $2,000 per tournament week, covering travel and lodging expenses. The player-caddie split is commonly 60/40 or 50/50 in favor of the player, though top-tier caddies at elite companies like Forbes negotiate higher percentages. This structure means a caddie only earns significant money when the player finishes high on the leaderboard or wins events.
The total annual compensation for a caddie depends heavily on the player's performance and the tour schedule. A caddie for a top-10 player can earn between $200,000 and $500,000 in a strong season, while those on the fringe of the FedEx Cup playoffs may earn under $50,000. The PGA Tour's official stats page tracks player earnings, which indirectly reflects the caddie's potential bonus pool. Players also pay for the caddie's travel costs upfront, which are deducted from the base salary before the prize money split begins.
Top Caddies and Elite Player Contracts
High-profile caddies like Joe LaCava and Andrew "Chubbs" Evans command premium salaries because they work with multi-major champions. These elite caddies often receive a base salary well above the standard range and a more favorable split, sometimes 55/45 or even 60/40 in their direction for big-money events. The caddie's value is tied directly to the player's world ranking and major championship success, as reported by the PGA Tour.
When a player wins a major, the caddie's bonus can exceed the base salary for an entire season. For example, a caddie whose player wins The Masters or the U.S. Open can earn a six-figure bonus on top of the standard prize money split. These contracts are often renewed or renegotiated immediately after a major victory, with players offering long-term deals to retain their trusted bag carriers. The competitive market for top caddies means players must pay premium rates to keep experienced professionals who know the nuances of their game.
Caddie Pay on the Korn Ferry and European Tours
On the Korn Ferry Tour, caddie compensation is significantly lower than on the PGA Tour. Base salaries often range from $500 to $1,000 per event, with a standard 60/40 split. Many Korn Ferry caddies work multiple players per season to maximize their income, and they rely on the player's promotion to the PGA Tour for a substantial pay increase. The SEC filings of publicly traded sports management companies sometimes reveal aggregate caddie contract data for their client rosters.
The DP World Tour in Europe follows a similar model but with different currency conversions and regional cost adjustments. Caddies on the European Tour often receive a base salary plus a percentage of the official prize money, though the total purse is smaller than PGA Tour events. The European Tour's official site provides detailed prize fund distributions that directly impact the caddie's bonus calculation. International caddies also face additional visa and travel costs that reduce