Base Salary and Weekly Earnings
Most PGA Tour caddies receive a weekly base salary from the golfer they work for, which can range from about $1,000 to $2,000 per tournament week, with top caddies earning higher amounts when paired with star players. This base pay covers travel, lodging, and day-to-day expenses while on the road, and it remains the same whether the golfer finishes or misses the cut. The base salary is separate from the percentage of the prize purse the caddie earns only when the player makes the cut and earns money. According to reports from Forbes, caddies on the PGA Tour typically negotiate their base pay individually with each player, and the amount can increase when a player moves into the world's top 10 or wins major events Forbes.
Percentage of Winnings and Tournament Payouts
The standard PGA Tour caddie contract pays a percentage of the golfer's earnings, usually starting at 5% of the player's prize money and increasing to 7% or more when the golfer wins a tournament. When a player wins a major championship, the caddie's percentage often rises to 10% of the purse, reflecting the added prestige and bonus opportunities. These percentages are negotiated upfront and can vary based on the player's current world ranking, recent results, and the caddie's experience level. The PGA Tour's official rules and player contracts outline how prize money is distributed, and caddies only receive their percentage after the player collects their check at the end of the tournament PGA Tour.
Top Caddies, Player Partnerships, and Earnings Potential
High-profile caddie and player partnerships, such as those seen with major champions and world number ones, can earn caddies six-figure annual incomes from base salary and winnings percentages alone. A caddie working with a consistent top-10 player can earn between $200,000 and $500,000 or more per season, depending on the player's tour earnings and frequency of cuts made. The PGA Tour's FedEx Cup bonus pool and major championship purses create additional earning opportunities for caddies whose players perform well in the season's biggest events. Caddies also sometimes receive performance bonuses or additional compensation for helping a player win specific events, as detailed in player and caddie contract discussions reported by ESPN ESPN.
Comparison with Other Tours and Caddie Structures
On the Korn Ferry Tour and international tours, caddies often earn lower base salaries and smaller percentages than their PGA Tour counterparts, with deals sometimes starting at 3% to 5% of the player's earnings. European Tour and DP World Tour caddies may negotiate different percentage splits and base pay structures, but the core model of salary plus prize money percentage remains similar across major men's professional golf tours. The LIV Golf League has introduced alternative compensation models, including fixed salaries and different bonus structures for caddies, which can change the traditional percentage-based earnings approach SEC.
Key Factors That Influence a Caddie's Percentage
A caddie's percentage is influenced by the player's current world ranking, recent tournament results, the