For many golfers, having a trusted caddy by their side is invaluable. As they offer guidance and haul heavy bags across lush greens, caddies play a critical role in the game. But for those considering a career as a caddy, questions linger—how much do they really make?
Key factors impacting pay include a caddy’s experience level, the golfer or club’s prestige, and availability of work. Incomes fluctuate, but the financial rewards remain generous for those who carry the bag.
While generalizing pay is difficult, caddies earn solid incomes at all levels. Their specialized services help golfers perform their best – and achieve handsome paydays themselves. Let’s explore the earnings landscape.
On The PGA Tour, How Much Can Caddies Make?
Life inside the ropes at professional golf’s highest level brings handsome rewards for caddies. On the PGA Tour, base pay typically ranges from $1,500-$3,000 per tournament. This provides a baseline to cover travel and expenses.
The real financial upside comes through bonuses. Most caddies receive percentages of their player’s winnings when making the cut: 10% for a win, 7% for a top ten, and 5% for other made cuts.
Of course, this incentivizes caddies to provide their best guidance to boost their player’s performance. Top caddies for golf’s elite can earn seven-figure salaries annually through consistent finishes and victories.
Take Michael Greller, who works with Jordan Spieth. Given Spieth’s stellar career, Greller likely earns over $1 million per year. But for caddies of less accomplished golfers, salaries scale down significantly. On average, PGA Tour caddies make between $50,000-$100,000 annually.
Let’s Break Down The Salary Of A Caddy On a PGA Tour
For professional golf caddies, pay depends heavily on their player’s tournament finishes. Here’s how it works:
- Caddies receive weekly base salaries, typically $1,500-$3,000 per tournament. This helps cover travel costs.
- Their main income comes from performance bonuses. If their player wins, they earn 10% of the prize money. A top ten earns 7%, and other made cuts get 5%.
- So for a Masters win of $3 million, the standard 10% bonus nets the caddy $300,000. But nothing is guaranteed, as bonuses require made cuts and strong finishes.
- Caddies and players negotiate agreements, so pay structures vary. Some prefer higher flat fees over back-loaded performance bonuses. And caddies cover their own travel and expenses.
- The PGA Tour doesn’t regulate caddy pay, allowing flexibility. However, the Association of Professional Tour Caddies assists caddies through discounts and advocacy.
Overall, being a PGA tour caddy can be lucrative. But income fluctuations are large, riding on the coattails of player success. Top caddies for elite golfers can earn over $1 million annually through consistent performances.
Yet for most, salaries scale down to $50k-$100k as player achievements vary. In the end, a PGA caddy’s pay reflects the peaks and valleys of life on tour.
Hearing From a Former PGA Caddy
Michael Collins, an ESPN analyst and former PGA caddy, sheds light on real-world dynamics. He notes that the 10% championship bonus represents the ceiling, not the standard. Much depends on negotiations between the player and the caddy. Some prefer higher flat-rate weekly pay over back-loaded performance bonuses.
Collins uses the example of a major win at $3.3 million. Here, the standard 10% rate yields $330,000 for the winning caddy. But in reality, complex factors impact final pay, as contracts remain informal. The takeaway? Behind the scenes, caddy salaries involve nuanced discussions between players and caddy beyond generalized tour percentages.
How Pro Golfers Select The Perfect Caddie?
So, how do pro golfers select the ideal caddy? Chemistry and experience rank high. Caddies with a proven track record understand high-pressure situations. Course knowledge is also vital, as reading greens and judging conditions generate an edge. And caddies must handle long days hauling heavy bags across vast courses. Shared attitudes and communication styles also factor in.
Of course, earnings fluctuate yearly depending on player performance. But the rewards for top caddies remain substantial at golf’s pinnacle, especially for those allied with consistent winners.
What Amateur Caddies Can Expect to Earn
Unlike pros on tour, amateur caddies at local clubs won’t make six-figure salaries. But they can earn solid part-time income, especially as side jobs for students.
For new caddies, pay is $50-$100 per round. But with experience, veterans can make up to $500 per round.
Hourly wages range from $20-$28, while pay for a full 18 holes is $100-$140. This includes set club fees plus player tips, which average $25 per bag. At high-end private clubs, caddies can pocket $300 for a 5-hour shift carrying two bags. Adding more rounds or loops during the day boosts earnings further.
Factors like club prestige and demand for caddies impact wages. But overall, it’s an engaging outdoor job with the potential for great paydays through hard work and consistency. For those needing flexible part-time work – especially students with free summers – caddying offers an opportunity to make a solid income while breathing fresh air on the course.
By gaining experience over several seasons, amateur caddies can substantially grow their earnings potential over time.
What Exactly Does A Caddy Do?
Caddies contribute far more than carrying clubs. Their responsibilities make a real difference:
- Maintaining clean equipment
- Providing yardages/course guidance
- Raking bunkers and repairing divots
- Sharing slope/green readings
- Positioning the pin
- Locating wayward shots
In short, caddies enhance performance through specialized course management while also ensuring an excellent playing experience.
Final Words
Like golf, generalizing caddy earnings is difficult, given many moving parts. For elite PGA Tour caddies, income regularly reaches six figures annually and sometimes seven. Amateurs earn solid part-time income, ranging from $50-$500 per round based on experience.
But no matter the level, caddies play an invaluable role in the game. And the financial rewards, while varying widely, remain generous for those carrying bags inside the ropes.
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