Hey there, golf nuts! It’s Linda, your favorite San Diego slice machine, back with another deep dive into the world of golf. Today, we’re talking about the unsung heroes of the fairways, the Sherpas of the golf world: caddies. Specifically, we’re answering the burning question, “How much do these bag-toting, yardage-calculating, sand-rake-wielding wizards actually make?” Spoiler alert: It’s probably more than I make losing Kirkland golf balls in the rough, but your mileage may vary.
The Caddie Hierarchy: From Muny to Magnolia Lane
Before we break down the numbers, let’s talk about the different types of caddies. Because not all caddies are created equal, my friends.
- The Weekend Warrior: This is your typical country club caddie, often a teenager trying to earn some summer cash. They’re the ones who might confuse your 7-iron for a sand wedge, but hey, they’re learning!
- The Club Pro: These are the full-time caddies at swanky private clubs. They know every blade of grass on the course and can read greens better than most members can read their stock portfolios.
- The Tour Caddie: The crème de la crème, the PGA Tour caddies. These folks aren’t just carrying bags; they’re part psychologist, part strategist, and occasionally part punching bag when their pro misses a 3-footer.
Now, let’s talk turkey. Or should I say, let’s talk green. And I don’t mean the kind you putt on.
The Weekend Warrior: Pocket Money and Sunburn
Earnings: $50-$120 per round, plus tips if they’re lucky
Our young country club caddies are usually making minimum wage plus tips. On a good day, they might walk away with a Benjamin or two. On a bad day, they’re left with nothing but sore feet and a newfound hatred for the phrase “You da man!”
Fun fact: I once tipped a caddie with a sleeve of balls after a particularly disastrous round. Poor kid probably would have preferred cash, but hey, those Kirkland golf balls might come in handy someday!
The Club Pro: A Decent Living, If You Don’t Mind Farmer’s Tans
Earnings: $50,000-$100,000 per year
These full-time caddies at high-end clubs can actually make a pretty decent living. They’re pulling in a base salary plus tips, which can add up to a tidy sum. Plus, they get to spend their days outside, getting plenty of steps in. It’s like being paid to use a really expensive Fitbit!
Of course, they also have to deal with members who think they’re the next Tiger Woods but play more like Tiger King. So maybe that extra cash is hazard pay.
The PGA Tour Caddie: Where the Big Bucks (Might) Roll In
Earnings: Anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000 per week, plus a percentage of winnings
Now we’re talking! PGA Tour caddies are where the real money is at. But before you quit your day job to carry bags for a living, let’s break it down:
- Base Salary: Most tour pros pay their caddies a base of $1,000 to $3,000 per week. Not too shabby!
- Percentage of Winnings: This is where it gets juicy. Caddies typically get:
- 5% if their player makes the cut
- 7% for a top-10 finish
- 10% for a win
Sounds great, right? Well, remember, if their player misses the cut, that might be all they get for the week. And trust me, missed cuts happen more often than holes-in-one.
Let’s do some quick math (my least favorite kind of math, but bear with me):
If a player wins a tournament with a $1.5 million purse, their caddie could walk away with $150,000 for that week. That’s more than I make in… well, let’s not go there.
But before you start pricing out yacht upgrades, remember:
- Travel expenses come out of the caddie’s pocket
- Not every week is a win
- Some weeks, their player might miss the cut entirely
So while the top caddies for the likes of Rory McIlroy or Jordan Spieth might be pulling in high six or even seven figures a year, your average tour caddie is probably making closer to $50,000-$100,000.
The 19th Hole Wisdom
At the end of the day, being a caddie isn’t just about the money. It’s about the love of the game, the thrill of competition, and the joy of watching someone else struggle with their swing while you stand by and say, “Maybe try choking up on the grip?”
So the next time you’re out on the course, appreciate your caddie. They’re working hard for that money, even if sometimes that work involves fishing your ball out of a water hazard or telling you that no, that 250-yard carry over water is probably not in your wheelhouse.
And hey, if you’re thinking of becoming a caddie yourself, remember: a good sense of humor is worth its weight in gold. Or at least in pro shop credit.
May your loops be short, your bags be light, and your players’ tips be generous!
P.S. If you ever caddie for me, I promise to pay you in more than just Kirkland golf balls. Although, given how many I lose per round, that might actually be a pretty sweet deal!