From bush league municipal tracks to the manicured grounds of Augusta, golf caddies of all skill levels quietly hope to bank six-figure paydays.

The actual salary for caddies, however, varies substantially depending on the type of course, player, tournament finishes, and experience level. While compensation can reach the high six-figures for elite caddies, base rates of $100 per round plus tips serve as the foundation.

Let’s examine the full salary picture across beginner and senior caddies to understand exactly how much golf caddies earn.

How Much Do Golf Caddies Make?

The average salary for a golf caddy working in the United States is between $50,000 to $80,000 per year. Golf caddies can make a respectable income, especially those working full-time on professional tours.

Caddies who work exclusively for top touring pros have the potential to earn over $100,000 or even up to $500,000+ in some cases. There is a wide range based on experience, golf course, and player.

Caddies are contracted by amateur and professional golfers to carry equipment, provide yardages, read greens, help select clubs, maintain course strategy, and provide emotional support during a round.

It is a job that requires skill, stamina, golf knowledge, and interpersonal abilities. Those who excel at caddying have the potential to develop lucrative careers and long-term partnerships with players.

However, caddy earnings vary substantially based on the caliber of golfer employing them. Those working part-time for average amateur golfers will earn substantially less than full-time caddies for successful tour pros who earn millions in tournament winnings.

Factors That Affect Caddy Earnings

There are several key factors that determine how much a golf caddy can earn per year or per tournament on professional tours. These include the caddy’s experience level, the caliber of golf course and player they work for, tournament outcomes, and more.

Examining what affects caddy salaries provides more context around the earning potential in this profession.

Experience Level And Skill

A caddy’s pay often correlates strongly with their amount of experience in the role. Veteran full-time caddies earn much more than novice ones.

Experienced caddies accumulate extensive course knowledge, improve their ability to read greens, perfect their yardage advice, and learn how to keep players calm under pressure.

Top touring pros are willing to pay more for seasoned caddies who provide an edge in major tournaments.

Conversely, caddies working their first year on a major tour or those trying out with new players typically earn under $50,000. It takes time to develop skills and reputations that command the highest salaries.

Successful long-term caddy-golfer partnerships result in higher pay over many years.

Type Of Golf Course

Caddies working at exclusive private country clubs, especially those rated as top 100 courses globally, have much higher income earning potential. Members at these clubs are willing to pay $200+ per round for exceptional caddying services.

The most reputable courses demand more experience and set higher performance standards for their caddies as well.

Alternatively, caddies working solely at public municipal courses earn substantially less. Rates often run below $100 per round due to more budget-conscious clientele.

Course knowledge factors less into earning potential at relatively straightforward public tracks versus renowned tournament-caliber layouts.

Amateur Vs Professional Golfer

By and large, professional golfers pay caddies significantly more than amateurs due to much higher incomes. Pros earn millions in tournaments and endorsements, allowing them to compensate caddies more lucratively.

Standard pay scales do not necessarily apply to caddies for elite pros who may pay up to 10% of winnings.

Conversely, amateur golfers pay average local rates that generally run between $80-150 per round. While still a respectable side income stream, amateur caddying alone rarely leads to exceedingly high earnings without extensive hours logged.

Those hoping to earn over $50,000 per year typically work full-time for a professional rather than picking up sporadic loops with amateurs.

Tournament Finishes

For full-time caddies on professional tours, tournament finishes determine much of their seasonal or yearlong income. Standard contracts award caddies roughly 5-15% of a player’s official prize money based on results.

Top finishes equal bigger payouts.

For example, the standard 10% cut of a regular PGA Tour event with a $8 million purse means over $150,000 for a win. Additionally, bonuses promised for wins, top 3, top 5 and top 10 finishes also factor into total compensation.

This performance-based structure enables some caddies to significantly outearn their salaries.

Base Pay Rates And Tip Income

While professional tour caddies earn the majority from percent cuts of prize money, amateur caddies rely heavily on base rates and tipping income per round. These benchmark pay rates provide a snapshot of part-time caddie earnings potential outside the pro tours.

Base Rates

On average, a caddy’s base pay rate runs approximately $100-200 per round when hired at most country clubs or public courses.

This base rate covers services like carrying golf bags for 18 holes, providing yardages, raking sand traps, attending the pin, cleaning golf balls, and more. Some courses dictate standard base rates while others use tiers based on years of experience.

Base pay establishes a foundation for their overall per round income.

Tips

Tips, while optional, fuel the majority of golf caddies’ incomes. Etiquette dictates amateur players tip their caddies up to 50-100% of the base rate at private clubs if satisfied with the service.

For a base rate of $100, the norm is a $100-200 tip. Higher handicap players and beginners generally tip slightly less when scoring poorly despite the caddy’s work.

Pros playing in non-tour events tip considerably more – often $200-300+. Excellent course management advice deserves generous gratuities.

Additional Compensation

A couple of other common forms of income for caddies per round involve merchandise and expenses. Most caddies receive approximately 10% of the price on golf gear purchased on their recommendation if a player decides to buy on the day.

Courses also often comp caddies’ food and beverages during and after rounds as another perk of the job. While not significant money, these perks improve the working experience.

Additional Income Sources

While base pay and tips cover most income for local club caddies, those working full-time on professional tours have other lucrative compensation sources. Backstage bonuses, merchandise payouts, endorsement dollars, and covered travel/lodging costs quickly increase total income.

Merchandise And Gear

As noted in base pay, caddies who recommend golf clubs or other gear that gets purchased typically earn about 10% of the sale. For tour caddies selling high-end gear and clothing to millionaire players, this significantly bolsters pay.

Big ticket drivers, irons, wedges, and putters fetching $500+ per club equals thousands in extra income per year for a successful caddy.

Bonuses

Virtually every full-time tour caddy agreement includes monetary bonuses for wins, top 5s and top 10s not covered just by the percentage cuts of prize money. Players incentivize their caddies reaching these high finishes with payout boosts as a sign of gratitude for good work.

For a benchmark, a win bonus might pay around $150,000 plus 10% of the winner’s check based on purse size.

Travel Expenses

One of the greatest financial perks of caddying full-time for a professional golfer involves all travel, hotel, car rental and dining expenses covered while on tour.

Successful pros have generous budgets for luxury accommodations, Michelin-starred restaurants and first-class flights. Caddies reap the benefits and avoid tapping into base pay and bonuses to fund a life on the road.

Job Perks

Beyond the obvious financial incentives, a professional golf caddy career offers unique lifestyle perks and memorable experiences simply not possible in typical jobs.

While demanding significant commitment and travel, caddying delivers occasional rounds of free golf, exciting destinations, and potential long-term relationships with talented, high-earning players.

Complimentary Golf

Most golf clubs and courses allow caddies access to complimentary golf outside peak hours as an employee benefit. Caddies can play full rounds for free typically early mornings, late afternoons or during leagues when golfers do not hire them.

This allows them to stay sharp on course conditions and strategy. Retired caddies often continue accessing member courses thanks to their years of service and golf knowledge.

Travel

Caddies who work for professional golfers experience domestic and international travel beyond what average fans could access or reasonably afford attending events.

Major championships like The Masters and Open Championship held on legendary courses become regular tour stops rather than once-in-a-lifetime trips.

While demanding, touring the world provides exposure to diverse cultures and local cuisines through a unique lens alongside a golfer partner trying to win tournaments.

Long-Term Relationships

The most successful and highest-paid golf caddies develop decade-plus long partnerships and friendships with elite players. Names like Tiger Woods and Steve Williams or Phil Mickelson and Jim “Bones” Mackay resonate as strongly as legendary player pairings.

Lengthy tenures enable robust course management systems translating to more wins and larger paydays for player and caddy alike. Building trust and chemistry over thousands of professional rounds cements lucrative teamwork.

In summary, golf caddies average between $50,000 to over $500,000 per year based heavily on the experience level, type of course, and caliber of player employing them.

While demanding physical work with long hours outside in all weather conditions, few careers offer such financial upside and excitement through global travel on professional tours for those talented and dedicated enough to excel at the craft.

Conclusion

Golf caddying can be an extremely lucrative career, with the potential to earn anywhere from $50,000 to over half a million dollars annually.

For talented caddies who build long-lasting partnerships with professional players, the job offers financial security, exciting travel opportunities, and access to the game they love.

While the work is physically demanding, properly managing courses, providing strategic advice, and carrying equipment for golfers provides a comfortable living for those committed to excelling.

For anyone with a passion for golf looking to turn their enthusiasm into a profession, caddying warrants consideration given the high income ceiling.