PGA Tour Caddie Pay Structure and Percentage Basics
Most PGA Tour caddies earn a base salary plus a percentage of the player's winnings. The standard cut for a caddie is typically between 5% and 10% of the player's earnings, with higher percentages often tied to tournament wins or top finishes. This structure is negotiated directly between the player and caddie, and it can vary widely based on experience, player success, and tour status. The base salary usually ranges from $1,000 to $2,000 per tournament for regular events, while major championships and playoffs can command higher guaranteed pay. According to recent reporting, top caddies on the PGA Tour can earn well over $200,000 annually from a combination of salary and percentage cuts, especially when working with high-profile, winning players. For more details on how caddie contracts work, see this overview from Forbes on PGA Tour caddie pay.
In addition to prize money percentages, caddies may receive bonuses for specific achievements, such as a tour win or a top-10 finish. Some players offer a higher cut, around 10%, for wins and a lower cut, around 5%, for regular finishes. The exact percentage is often influenced by the caddie's experience, the player's earnings, and the strength of the caddie-player relationship. Caddies also typically cover their own travel expenses, though some players provide a travel stipend. The PGA Tour does not set a universal percentage, and there is no official league-wide standard, so each deal is unique. The Caddie Hall of Fame and other industry sources note that the most successful caddie-player pairings often share a percentage split that reflects mutual trust and performance.
How PGA Tour Caddie Earnings Compare to Other Tours
On the PGA Tour, caddies generally earn a higher percentage and larger base salaries compared to the Korn Ferry Tour or smaller international tours. The bigger purses on the PGA Tour mean that even a 5% cut can translate into significant earnings when a player finishes high or wins. On the Korn Ferry Tour, caddies might earn a smaller base and a similar or slightly lower percentage, reflecting the lower prize pools. International tours such as the European Tour and DP World Tour also have varying caddie pay structures, but top caddies on those tours can still earn substantial income through percentage cuts and bonuses. The PGA Tour's higher visibility and larger sponsorship deals can also lead to additional off-course income opportunities for caddies, such as appearance fees or promotional work.
Recent data on caddie earnings shows that the top earners on the PGA Tour can make six-figure annual incomes from their percentage cuts alone, especially when working with players who contend in multiple events per season. The exact percentage can shift during the year based on performance, with some players offering a higher cut after a big win to retain their caddie. For example, a caddie whose player wins a major might receive a bonus or a temporary increase in the percentage for the remainder of the season. These arrangements are private and not disclosed publicly, but industry reports and interviews with caddies provide a general picture of the pay scale. The PGA Tour's official site also notes that caddies are independent contractors, not PGA Tour employees, which means their pay is entirely dependent on their agreement with the player.
Top PGA Tour Caddies and Their Earnings in Recent Years
Some of the most well-known caddies on the PGA Tour, such as those working with major champions, have earned substantial income through a combination of base salary and percentage cuts. These caddies often command a higher percentage, sometimes reaching 10% or more, due to their player's consistent success and major wins. The most successful caddie-player partnerships can earn millions of dollars over a career