How Much Does a Caddie Make on the PGA Tour
On the PGA Tour, caddies typically earn a base salary plus a percentage of the player's winnings, with total compensation varying widely by player status and tour success. Most PGA Tour caddies report base pay between $1,000 and $2,000 per tournament week, with win bonuses often set at 10% of the player's purse, while top caddies on elite players can earn well over $1 million in strong seasons, according to industry reports on caddie compensation structures Forbes.
Average PGA Tour caddie earnings are heavily skewed by a few high-profile contracts, with the median caddie making far less than the headline figures seen with star players. The PGA Tour's cut structure, where caddies only receive their percentage when the player makes the cut, means missed cuts directly reduce weekly income, and many caddies supplement earnings with appearance fees and sponsor deals tied to their player's visibility PGA Tour.
Caddie Pay Breakdown: Base Salary, Win Percentage, and Tips
A caddie's base salary is usually negotiated upfront and paid regardless of results, while the win percentage is the primary upside, with 10% being the most common standard on the PGA Tour for tournament victories and 6% to 8% for top finishes Forbes.
Tips from players and spectators can add a meaningful but inconsistent boost to a caddie's income, with some top players tipping hundreds or thousands of dollars per round, while others do not tip at all, making total compensation highly dependent on the player's generosity and the caddie's relationship with the golfer PGA Tour.
Top Earning Caddies and Contract Structures
The highest paid caddies are those paired with marquee players who consistently contend for majors and FedEx Cup bonuses, with some deals reportedly exceeding $1 million in a single season when the player performs at peak levels Forbes.
Contract structures vary from short-term tournament deals to multi-year agreements with performance escalators, and some caddies negotiate for a higher base salary in exchange for a lower win percentage, while others accept lower guarantees to maximize upside on big payouts PGA Tour.