How Much Do LPGA Tour Caddies Earn?
How much LPGA Tour caddies earn depends upon the caddie and the player


How much do LPGA Tour caddies earn?
How much LPGA Tour caddies earn depends upon the caddie and the player; in particular, on how well the player plays. Each caddie is an independent contractor, thus is self employed. As such, he or she negotiates their own deal with the player that they caddie for. There is no LPGA caddie set standard for caddie’s remuneration.
So what follows has to be a generalisation. Caddie pay is not something normally publicly talked about by either caddie or player. Indeed, it is said the reason why Tiger Woods dismissed his first caddie, Mike ‘Fluff’ Cowan was that Cowen had revealed details of his pay ($1,000 a week and bonuses up to 10 percent of Woods’ winnings in this case).
But caddies get a two-part payment. The first part is base pay for a tournament, the second part is, in effect, performance-related pay based on how the player does, with the caddie getting a cut of the player’s prize money. Caddies and players set this percentage but I have not heard of any caddie getting more than 10% and often this figure is only for when the golfer wins the tournament. Typical figures mentioned are 10% of the prize money for winning; 7% for top 5 or maybe top 10; and 5% otherwise.
Gary Player, recalled being greeted by his Augusta National caddie, Eddie McCoy at the 1978 Masters: “Mr Player we’ve got to win, I’m in a trouble and I need a new house.” Player went on: “I don't know what kind of trouble Eddie was in, but when I came from seven shots behind to win on Sunday, you've never seen a man as happy as Eddie.”
Caddies are responsible for paying their own expenses. The base pay is money given by the player to the caddie for the caddie to use however they wish, but it provides funds for travel, accommodation and meals when getting to and from, and working at, a tournament.
Base pay rates you hear mentioned are between $1,000 and $2.500 per tournament. Typically if a caddy if not working at a tournament, he – or she, although most caddies on the LPGA tour are male – does not get paid. Tour caddies make the bulk of their money from their percentage of the prize money.
The 2024 LPGA season offers over $116 million in prize money with 10 regular tournaments offering at least $3 million and the five Majors having purses of between $5.25m and $11m. The winner of the U.S. Women’s Open gets $2million. Presuming their caddie is on a 10% share of this, that caddie will earn a $200,000 bonus that week.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
Contributing Writer Roderick is the author of the critically acclaimed comic golf novel, Summer At Tangents. Golf courses and travel are Roderick’s particular interests. He writes travel articles and general features for the magazine, travel supplement and website. He also compiles the magazine's crossword. He is a member of Trevose Golf & Country Club and has played golf in around two dozen countries. Cricket is his other main sporting love. He is also the author of five non-fiction books, four of which are still in print: The Novel Life of PG Wodehouse; The Don: Beyond Boundaries; Wally Hammond: Gentleman & Player and England’s Greatest Post-War All Rounder.
-
'Posting In A Swimsuit? Sure. On The Golf Course, I Wear Golf Clothes' - Blair O’Neal On Brand, Balance And Being First
She modelled, she played, she built a brand that resonates. Blair O'Neal's take on content, class and connection continues to inspire
-
Is Your Golf Course Failing Women? Here’s What They Notice
Why a woman's playing experience is often more challenging on golf courses not designed with her game in mind
-
I Let Nerves Ruin My Golf Game For Years… Here’s What Changed
Anxiety on the course holds back many golfers. These 5 tips will help turn fear into confident play
-
5 Women Share What They Really Think About Women's Golf Fashion
Golf Monthly's female team reveals their fashion hits and misses
-
I Broke 100 For The First Time And A Change Of Bag Set-Up Helped Me Do It
If you're frustrated, stuck, and watching your scores climb, the right clubs (and belief) can help you to break through
-
'I Never Thought I Was Good Enough' - How A Fashion Shoot Helped A Golf Pro Overcome Self-Doubt
How one young golfer's fashion shoot reshaped how she saw herself - on and off the course
-
I Thought The Pink Castle Golf Tee Was Perfect... Until This Debate
Single figure golfer Carly Cummins questions if her trusted tee choice is holding her back
-
I've Tested Dozens Of Summer Golf Outfits - These 10 Are My Favorites
Our Women's Editor Alison Root handpicks her favorite summer styles