How Much Do PGA Tour Caddies Earn in Base Salary
Most PGA Tour caddies receive a weekly base salary from their player, typically ranging from $1,000 to $2,000 per tournament week, with top pairings sometimes negotiating higher guarantees. This base pay covers travel expenses and provides income even when the player misses the cut or finishes outside prize money. The exact salary depends on the player's status, the caddie's experience, and the strength of their current partnership, as reported by industry insiders and caddie-focused coverage on Forbes Forbes.
During the regular season, a caddie's weekly base salary usually remains stable, but it can increase when a player moves into the elite FedEx Cup contention or wins a major. Players who are near the top of the world rankings often pay their caddies at the higher end of the range because the caddie's role in club selection, course management, and mental support directly affects scoring and bonus potential.
Prize Money Bonuses and PGA Tour Payout Structures for Caddies
PGA Tour caddies typically earn a percentage of their player's official prize money, with the standard split ranging from 5% to 10% depending on the player's finish and the negotiated agreement. When a player wins a tournament, the caddie's cut often increases because the base bonus percentage applies to the full purse, and the player may add a special performance incentive on top of the standard payout structure.
In major championships and signature events, the prize money pool is larger, so even a small percentage translates into a substantial bonus for the caddie. The PGA Tour's official payout schedule and historical data are available on the PGA Tour website PGA Tour, which shows how caddie earnings scale with each round and each placement.
Additional Earnings Through Sponsorships and Long-Term Partnerships
Top PGA Tour caddies can earn significant extra income through personal sponsorship deals with equipment companies, apparel brands, and golf-related product lines, especially when their player performs well in high-visibility events. These sponsorship bonuses are separate from the player's prize money split and can add tens of thousands of dollars to a caddie's annual earnings, particularly for caddies who have built a recognizable brand through consistent top finishes ESPN.
Long-term player-caddie partnerships often lead to the best financial outcomes because trust and familiarity allow for more aggressive negotiation of base salary, bonus percentages, and appearance fees at corporate events or pro-ams. Caddies who work with multiple players across a career can accumulate earnings that place them among the highest-paid support staff in professional golf, with some earning well over $200,000 in a single season when combining salary, bonuses, and sponsorships Bloomberg.