So How Much Do PGA Tour Caddies Make?
In his weekly email, “Perfect Putt”, Jared Doerfler looks into the income of some of the most well paid caddies on the PGA Tour. This past season, three caddies surpassed $1 Million in earnings and several others were knocking on the million dollar door.
Here’s a look at the top ten PGA Tour money list from last season and what their respective caddie earned in gross income.
(*Zalatoris paid two caddies $760k in aggregate)
The chart above includes all money made on the PGA Tour last season and the FedEx Cup bonus. Other bonuses and tours were not included. Those figures assume a few variables — here is how we got there.
- $2,500 weekly base fee
- 10% for a win
- 7% for non-win
The weekly base fee is a negotiable item between players and caddies — driven mainly by player rankings.
- Top 20 — $5,000+ weekly base
- Top 50 — $3,000 – $4,000 weekly base
- Top 100 — $2,000 – $3,000 weekly base
Earning percentages are negotiable — although the 7% and 10% split is pretty standard. A new relationship between player and caddie could see 5% of earnings for anything outside a Top 25, 7% for a Top 25, and 10% for a win.
But it isn’t all roses for PGA Tour caddies — like PGA Tour players, they are independent contractors. Caddies are responsible for their expenses.
- Flight
- Hotel
- Rental Car
- Food
- Yardage Books
An average week on the PGA Tour will cost a caddie between $1,000 – $1,500 to show up.
You can read more of this “Perfect Putt” newsletter here and while you’re there, make sure you sign up as a Subscriber.
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