How Much Do Caddies Make?

How Much Amateur Caddies Make

All things considered, the average caddie will make between $100 and $140 per bag, per round.

Many caddies will opt to carry two bags, when possible, to increase their pay.

The pay will be a combination of a base fee and a tip. 

For a typical round at a club, a caddie will earn a base fee of at least $25 to $50. 

On top of that, most golfers will tip a caddie at least $50 for an 18-hole round, but it can be well over $100 in many situations.

The amount of the tip will vary based on the course prestige, how well the caddie performed, golfer satisfaction, and local standards.

Generally speaking, the more exclusive and expensive the golf club, the more the caddies will make.

This can be great for younger caddies, many of whom are in high school and college or are young adults.

Responsibilities of Amateur Caddies

Amateur caddies will handle a wide range of different tasks and responsibilities when they are on the course:

• Carrying the bag
• Handing the player their clubs
• Cleaning the clubs
• Providing yardages
• Finding the ball 
• Giving tips for course
• Course repair 

A caddy that works with amateur golfers will typically be employed directly by golf courses and country clubs.

They tend to be more common at classic or higher end clubs, where golf carts are not preferred.

In many cases, these country clubs will hire and train their own caddies that will work through a rigorous program.

A caddie will carry the golfer’s bag, rake bunkers, and provide yardages. Caddies can be especially helpful if the player is unfamiliar with the course, as the caddie will have expert knowledge, especially on and around the greens.

Caddies can make a player’s experience more enjoyable by simply taking some of the physical tolls off a player and removing some guesswork from a player unfamiliar with a course.

How Much Professional Caddies Make

A PGA Tour caddie’s salary consists of two parts.

First, the caddie receives a regular base salary to work for a player, usually between $1,500 to $3,000 per tournament.

This is important because most PGA Tour caddies pay their travel expenses, including lodging, food, etc.

The caddie is making financial investments in each tournament played, just like the player is.

Second, and the most lucrative, comprises of a percentage of the player’s winnings.

The higher a player finishes, the more prize money the caddie can make and a higher percentage the caddie will be given.

Of course, missing the cut means the player and the caddie do not make another dollar in prize money that week.

While these figures can be different based on negotiations, the most standard breakdown will look something like this: 

• 10% for a win
• 7% for a top-10 finish
• 5% for making the cut

This ensures the caddies income is tied to the player’s performance.

Responsibilities of Professional Caddies

A professional tour caddie will have all the same responsibilies of a amateur caddie, while also having some very important additional tasks:

• Course Strategy
• Yardage and Distance Management
• Reading Greens
• Emotional Support
• Offseason Support 

While it’s the most visible thing, caddies for professional golfers do quite a bit more than carry the golf clubs and handle other golf gear.

Now more than ever, players refer to themselves and their caddies as a team, and caddies can be vital to a player’s performance.

Many caddies have experience playing high-level golf and can easily relate to the player they work for.

Outside of the routine maintenance of the course – raking bunkers, fixing divots and ball marks, replacing flagsticks, etc. – and the player’s equipment – cleaning clubs, cleaning golf balls, keeping grips dry, etc. – a caddie is a friend and a coach.

The relationship between a caddie and the player can be very intricate.

A caddie may need to be able to say something to calm their player down or to light a fire under them.

The best caddies in the world know what their player needs to hear.

A caddie ensures the player has everything needed while playing or practicing, whether that be equipment or information related.

Caddies provide yardages to various golf course locations along with details about the conditions being played in.

All that information leads players to decide what kind of shot to play and what club to hit.

Professional caddies need to be prepared for all situations during a tournament.

Every player is different, and some may look for more input from their caddie on how to play their shots, but nearly all players look for confirmation from their caddie on the final decision.

A caddie wants their player to be confident when ready to play each shot.

Some caddies serve as a sort of bodyguard for their player while on the course.

Steve Williams, former caddie for Tiger Woods, was very authoritative when controlling the large galleries around the world’s most popular player.

Woods won 13 of his 15 major championships with Williams, so the relationship clearly worked well.

Requirements and Suggestions When Using a Caddie

Some courses, like  Whistling Straits, require golfers to use a caddie when playing there.

When playing at a golf course that offers optional caddies, requesting one in advance when making a tee time is required.

Many recreational players may only experience playing with a caddie on special occasions, so it can feel a bit unusual.

Remember that the caddie is working for you and are there to help you enjoy your round of golf.

Those caddying for recreational players know they won’t hit it like PGA Tour golfers, so don’t be nervous about how you play.

Listen to the caddie’s advice and be honest about your skill level to maximize your chances of playing your best.

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