I was watching a replay of the Phoenix Open last month when I noticed something that made me stop mid-sip of my overpriced beer: while everyone’s cheering for Scottie Scheffler’s incredible approach shot, his caddie Ted Scott is quietly celebrating what might be a $50,000 weekend for himself.
That got me thinking – we all know the pros make bank, but what about those guys trudging around with 40-pound bags in 100-degree heat? Turns out the answer is way more complicated than I expected, and honestly, kind of fascinating once you dig into it.
After spending way too much time researching this (and yes, calling a few people I probably shouldn’t have bothered), here’s what I learned about how much these caddies actually make.
The Basic Math Behind Caddie Pay
Most PGA tour caddies get paid two ways: a weekly base amount plus a cut of whatever their golfer wins. The weekly part isn’t huge – usually somewhere between $1,500 and $3,000 depending on who you’re working with and how long you’ve been doing it.
But here’s where it gets interesting. The percentage system is pretty standard across the board: 5% if your golfer makes the cut, 7% for a top-10 finish, and 10% if they win. So when Scottie wins a $3 million tournament, Ted Scott takes home $300,000 for that week.
The tricky part? Your paycheck completely depends on how your golfer plays. Miss a bunch of cuts in a row and you’re living off that base salary, which doesn’t stretch very far when you’re covering your own hotels and flights to 30+ tournaments a year.
How Much Do PGA Caddies Make from Tournament Winnings (plus bonus)?
Here’s where the real money lives, folks. The bonus structure for PGA tour caddies is where dreams are made (or crushed). Caddies make their serious money through a percentage-based system tied to their golfer’s performance:
• 5% for making the cut (playing all four rounds) • 7% for a top-10 finish
• 10% for a win
So when Scottie Scheffler wins a tournament with a $3 million purse, his caddie Ted Scott walks away with $300,000 for that week’s work. Not bad for four days of carrying the bag and reading greens, right?
But here’s the reality check – not every caddie is working with a world-class golfer. Many caddies work with players who struggle to make cuts consistently. Outside the top 10 finishers, earnings drop off significantly. A caddie working with a golfer who barely makes cuts might only see that 5% bonus a few times per season.
The Elite Level: When Caddying Becomes a Million-Dollar Job
Some caddies are basically printing money. Ted Scott made over $5 million in 2024 working with Scottie Scheffler – more than 99% of tour players will ever see.
Here’s what the top guys are pulling in:
| Caddie | Golfer | 2024 Earnings (Est.) |
|---|---|---|
| Ted Scott | Scottie Scheffler | $5+ million |
| Austin Kaiser | Xander Schauffele | $1.4+ million |
| Paul Tesori | Webb Simpson | $1+ million |
But here’s the reality check – these guys represent maybe 10-15 caddies out of hundreds working tour events. Steve Williams made similar money during Tiger’s peak years, but that was lightning in a bottle.
Most caddies working with decent tour players are looking at $150K-$300K annually if things go well. Miss a bunch of cuts or lose your bag, and you might be scrambling to make $50K.
What Most Caddies Actually Make on the Golf Course
The average tour caddie probably clears somewhere between $100K-$150K if they stay busy all year. That sounds pretty good until you realize they’re paying their own way to 30+ tournaments, covering hotels, flights, meals, rental cars – the whole nine yards.
I talked to a guy who worked for a mid-tier player a few years back. He said his best year was around $180K, but after expenses he netted maybe $120K. His worst year? About $45K after expenses, working with a guy who kept missing cuts.
The financial uncertainty is brutal. You can’t just call in sick, and if your golfer decides to make a change (which happens more than you’d think), you’re scrambling to find work with maybe a week’s notice.
Side Hustles and Extra Income
Some of the better-known caddies pick up extra money through sponsorships – wearing certain brands or carrying specific accessories. It’s not huge money for most guys, maybe $10K-$20K annually, but every bit helps.
During the off-season, experienced caddies sometimes run golf instruction clinics or work corporate events. A guy I know makes about $15K each winter doing this stuff, which helps smooth out the income volatility.
The top-tier caddies occasionally get media gigs or write instruction articles, but that’s pretty rare unless you’re working with a major champion.
The Hidden Costs Nobody Talks About
Here’s what those big salary numbers don’t show you – expenses eat up a massive chunk of what caddies earn. We’re talking $40K-$60K annually just for travel, hotels, and meals. International tournaments are the worst – try covering a week in Scotland or Japan on a tight budget.
Plus, most caddies are contractors, not employees. No health insurance, no 401k matching, no paid time off. You get sick or injured? That’s on you. Your golfer decides to take a few weeks off? You’re not getting paid.
I know one caddie who broke his ankle during an off-week and ended up missing six tournaments. Lost about $30K in potential earnings, plus had medical bills to deal with. The financial volatility is probably the hardest part of the job that nobody sees on TV.
The Role of A Caddie – How To Get Started
Getting started as a tour caddie isn’t exactly straightforward. Most guys work their way up through mini-tours or start at high-end country clubs where they might occasionally work with touring pros during practice rounds.
The networking aspect is huge. You need to prove yourself reliable and knowledgeable before anyone’s going to trust you with their livelihood. I’ve heard stories of guys working for free just to get a foot in the door, then gradually building relationships that lead to paid opportunities.
It’s not just about carrying a bag either. Modern caddies need to read greens, calculate yardages, understand course strategy, and provide emotional support during pressure situations. The golfer is making decisions worth hundreds of thousands of dollars based partly on what you tell them.
What Factors Influence How Much PGA Caddies Earn?
Several factors influence how much a caddie can expect to make on the PGA tour. The golfer’s world ranking is probably the biggest determinant – caddies working with top-50 players will earn well above the average caddie.
Tournament schedule density affects earnings too. Golfer performs better with consistent tournament play, giving their caddie more opportunities to earn bonuses. Players make strategic decisions about which tournaments to enter based on purse sizes and their chances of success.
The caddie’s experience and reputation also matter. Veteran caddies who’ve worked with successful players can negotiate higher weekly salary amounts and better bonus structures. A caddie often builds their career over decades, gradually working with better players as their reputation grows.
The Reality Check
Here’s the bottom line – being a tour caddie can be incredibly lucrative if you catch lightning in a bottle with the right golfer. But for every Ted Scott making millions, there are dozens of guys grinding it out for $80K-$120K while covering their own expenses and dealing with constant job insecurity.
Jordan Spieth’s career earnings are over $50 million, which means his caddie has probably collected several million over the years. But what happens when Spieth retires or decides he wants a change? You’re back to square one, networking and hoping to land with someone else.
The financial swings are wild. You might make $200K one year if your guy has a great season, then $60K the next if he struggles. It’s not a career for people who need steady, predictable income.
The Bottom Line: PGA Tour Caddie Earnings Vary Greatly
Caddies really run the gamut when it comes to earnings. Top caddies working with elite players can make around $1-5 million annually, while average caddies might struggle to break six figures after expenses.
The profession offers incredible upside potential but comes with significant financial risk. Caddies don’t have guaranteed contracts, and their income depends entirely on their golfer’s performance and their ability to maintain that working relationship.
Much do PGA caddies make ultimately depends on luck, skill, networking, and timing. It’s a high-risk, high-reward profession that can lead to incredible financial success for those who earn well with the right golfer – or financial struggle for those who can’t find consistent work with successful players.
Like the PGA Tour schedule itself, caddie earnings fluctuate dramatically based on performance, timing, and a little bit of golf luck.
Key Takeaways About PGA Tour Caddie Salaries
• Base weekly salary ranges from $1,500-$3,000 per week for PGA tour caddies
• Bonus structure typically pays 5% for making cuts, 7% for top-10 finishes, and 10% for wins
• Top caddies like Ted Scott can earn $1-5 million annually working with elite players like Scottie Scheffler
• Average caddies make around $100,000-$120,000 per year including salary and bonuses
• Travel expenses and business costs can consume $30,000-$50,000 of annual earnings
• Caddies typically cover their own travel and lodging costs as independent contractors
• Sponsorships and off-season instruction provide additional income opportunities for some caddies
• Career success depends heavily on the golfer’s performance and tournament consistency
• Become a PGA tour caddie requires years of networking and experience at lower professional levels
• Earnings vary greatly based on golfer success, with top caddies earning millions while others struggle financially
The role of a caddie on the PGA tour is far more complex and potentially lucrative than most golf fans realize. These professionals earn well when paired with successful players, but the financial uncertainty and substantial expenses make it a challenging career path that requires both skill and considerable financial risk tolerance.
Fore!