Curious About Caddy Earnings: What Does a Caddy Make?

Tournaments
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When it comes to professional golf, the caddy’s earnings can vary significantly depending on various factors, including their experience, the tournaments they’re involved in, and the players they work with. Here’s a breakdown of what caddies can expect to make:

Base Salaries

  • Many caddies receive a base salary. This can range from $1,500 to over $3,000 per tournament, depending on the player’s budget and the level of competition.

Percentage of Winnings

  • In addition to their base salary, caddies typically earn a percentage of their player’s winnings. This percentage generally ranges from 5% to 10%, but it can be negotiated higher depending on the player’s success.

Tournament Earnings

  • During major events like the Masters or PGA Tour, caddies can significantly boost their income. Since prize money is substantially higher at these tournaments, the percentage earnings can result in hundreds of thousands of dollars if their player finishes well.

Additional Considerations

  • Caddies often have the potential for bonuses or additional payments for special achievements or milestones reached by their players.
  • It’s also worth noting that many caddies will work with multiple players throughout their careers, impacting their total earnings.

Clearly, the financial landscape for caddies is complex and can lead to substantial income during peak seasons. It would be great to hear about more experiences or insights from others on this topic!

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I’ve read caddies typically earn a base salary of around $1,000 to $2,000 per week, but this can really vary based on the player’s success and the tournament’s prestige.

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That’s a decent income, especially considering caddies also earn a percentage of the player’s winnings. It’s usually around 5-10%.

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I’ve been caddying for a few years now, and during a major tournament, my player won $500,000; I ended up with $25,000 just from the winnings percentage!

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Wow, that’s incredible! It really shows how lucrative it can be if you’re on the right bag.

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That’s definitely something to consider! Tips must really add up over a season.

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Don’t forget about tips! At local tournaments, you can get decent gratuities. I usually get around $100 to $300 per day in tips.

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Earnings can vary significantly based on where you’re caddying. A caddy on a PGA Tour can earn a lot, while those on smaller tours may only make a fraction of that.

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Exactly! I’m curious how many people really understand the difference in earnings at different levels.

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I’ve heard some exclusive tournaments can lead to big payouts for caddies if their players perform well. I guess that also adds to the pressure!

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Yes, but the anticipation of a big payday is worth it! Not to mention the experience gained at high-profile events.

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Though, some caddies face tough competition. Getting and keeping a top-tier player can be stressful.

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Very true. It’s a fickle market when players change caddies often!

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Humorously, caddies seem to have similar experiences as waiters—those tips can make all the difference in budget planning!

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Haha, that’s a great comparison! Caddies might need to pick up some serving skills!

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Reflecting on my career, caddying has taught me so much about patience and dealing with pressure. The earnings are just a bonus sometimes.

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That’s a beautiful sentiment. It really illustrates how much can be gained beyond just money in this profession.

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The relationship between a player and their caddy is crucial. Trust and communication can lead to better performance, which often translates to higher earnings for the caddy as well. I’ve seen caddies who really know their golfers’ tendencies make a huge difference in tournaments.

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Absolutely! My dad used to caddy for a local player, and their bond was amazing. He always said it felt like they were on the same wavelength out there.

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It’s interesting how emotional support plays into earnings too. A caddy who encourages their player, especially during tough rounds, can really uplift their game. I wonder how much that could affect their share of earnings.