Base Pay and Weekly Salary for Tour Caddies
Most PGA Tour caddies earn a base weekly salary that typically ranges from $1,000 to $2,000 per tournament week, with higher figures for players near the top of the world rankings. The exact base depends on the player's status, the tour, and the individual contract, and many caddies negotiate increases as the player moves up the FedEx Cup or Official World Golf Ranking. On the DP World Tour and Korn Ferry Tour, base pay is often lower, and caddies may also cover travel expenses from a reduced salary or a smaller percentage of winnings. For deeper detail on PGA Tour caddie contracts and reported pay ranges, see the latest reporting from Forbes.
Beyond the base, the standard caddie compensation model includes a percentage of the player's winnings, usually between 5% and 10%, with higher percentages for players who win or finish in the top positions. This structure means a caddy's total income can swing sharply from week to week based on the player's performance and the strength of the field. In major championship weeks, some players and caddies negotiate a higher percentage because of the increased prestige and potential bonus pools. The PGA Tour's official prize money distribution rules and caddie payment norms are further explained in the PGA Tour caddie resources.
Bonuses, Wins, and Top Earnings for Elite Caddies
When a player wins a PGA Tour event, the caddie typically receives a bonus payment on top of the base salary and prize percentage, often ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 for a standard win and significantly more for a major championship. A caddie whose player wins a major or a World Golf Championship can earn a six-figure bonus in a single week, pushing total annual earnings well above the typical tour caddie income. These bonuses are part of a broader pay structure that rewards both the player and the caddie for elite performance, and the exact terms are negotiated privately between the two parties. Detailed breakdowns of caddie bonuses and win payouts are covered by Golf Digest.
The highest-earning caddies in the sport are those who work with players ranked in the top 10 of the Official World Golf Ranking, such as long-standing partnerships like Scottie Scheffler's caddie Ted Scott and others who consistently contend at the highest events. These elite caddies can earn several hundred thousand dollars in a single season from base pay, prize percentages, and win bonuses alone, especially when their players secure multiple victories or finish high in FedEx Cup standings. The PGA Tour's FedEx Cup bonus pool, which distributes additional prize money to the top finishers in the season-long standings, indirectly boosts caddie earnings when their players collect points and checks. For more on the PGA Tour's bonus structures and how they translate to caddie pay, see the PGA Tour's official FedEx Cup page.
Caddie Pay on Different Tours and Career Outlook
On the Korn Ferry Tour, caddies often earn a smaller base and a lower prize percentage than on the PGA Tour, with total compensation frequently supplemented by travel stipends or reduced fees until the player earns a PGA Tour card. The DP World Tour and other international tours have similar variations, with caddies sometimes negotiating flat fees plus a percentage of winnings that reflects the lower overall prize purses. Caddies who work primarily on smaller tours or in regional events may rely more heavily on weekly base pay and local sponsorship deals to supplement their income. Broad comparisons of tour-level caddie compensation are available through the DP World Tour's official site.
Career earnings for a pro golf caddie depend heavily on the player they work with, the tour level, and the stability of the partnership, with top caddies on the PGA Tour potentially