PGA Tour golfers are earning more than ever for winning a tournament.
Now that twelve events offer purses of at least $20 million, golfers can spread the wealth among their team including their caddy.
Depending on their level of experience, PGA caddies earn a salary of between $1,500 and $3,000 a week. Caddies to new golfers or those on the Korn Ferry Tour can expect to make around the lower end of this range.
According to veteran caddie Brennan Little, caddies to experienced golfers and highly ranked golfers can earn raises and bonuses for their work.
For marquee events like the Master’s, caddies can expect to earn more, between $2,000 and $4,000.
Additionally, caddies earn a percentage of the prize money based on where their golfer finishes. At the Master’s, caddies earn 10% of the prize money, 7% for a finish in the top 10, and 5% for all other finishers.
After Scottie Scheffler won the Masters again last year, his caddie Ted Scott reportedly earned $360,000, or 10% of the $3.6 million Scheffler received as the winner.
Here are the average salary figures and bonus estimates for PGA Tour caddies:
Salary: $1,500-$3,000 per week
Pay for the Master’s: $2,000-$4,000 per week (depending on the caddie’s experience)
Bonus structure: 10% of the prize money for the winner, 7% for a top 10 finish, and 5% for all other finishes
PGA caddies are responsible for their own expenses, including travel, lodging, meals, yardage books, and rental cars.
Expenses add up quickly on the PGA Tour, with estimates reaching $50,000 a year and half that on the Korn Ferry Tour.
Additional earning opportunities
Caddies can offset their travel expenses through sponsorships and perks offered by PGA. As part of the Caddie Appreciation Program, caddies may receive gift cards and exclusive appreciation events for caddies only at PGA Tour events.
Caddies may also earn supplementary income through wearing branded attire. The Association of Professional Tour Caddies (APTC) has at least five sponsors who work with caddies.
One of the most popular sponsors, Valspar, awards caddies for wearing their hats during PGA Tour events. The average payout is reportedly $5,000–$8,000 but can go higher based on the golfer’s performance.
More than carrying clubs
PGA caddies are known to contribute more than just carrying the clubs of PGA pros. Caddies are valued for their input on key distances, suggested swing techniques, and reading the green.
In many cases, caddies are former professional golfers who understand the courses as well as their golfers.
As PGA’s major tournaments increase payouts and propose rule changes, caddies of top golfers will stand to earn the most. Meanwhile, caddies of golfers struggling to make the cut may struggle to make ends meet.
PGA Tour Caddies FAQ
- How much do PGA Tour caddies make if they win?
- Standard payouts to caddies for wins are 10% of the winning prize money. If the golfer makes the top 10, it is around 7%. Outside of the top 10, the standard amount is 5%.
- How much does Tiger Woods pay his caddie?
- Lance Bennett is Tiger’s current caddie. Industry-standard rates are $2,000 weekly plus bonuses for winning, but based on Tiger’s high profile, Bennett’s experience, and Tiger’s recent injury struggles, he may earn considerably more than that.
- How much does Scottie Scheffler’s caddie get paid?
- Ted Scott, Scheffler’s caddie, reportedly earned $5 million this year. Scheffler’s dominant 2024 season rewarded his caddie for his contributions in significant bonuses from wins.
The data was compiled from Golf Monthly, CBS News, and WFLA.
