Earnings for a PGA Tour Caddy

PGA caddies have a wide range of salaries. What they make depends on the earnings of the golfer for whom they caddy.

Identification

Depending on who they caddy for, PGA caddies can make more money than some golfers. Beginning in July 2006, Tony Navarro, Adam Scott's caddy, raked in $442,548, and Allistair Matheson, Geof Ogilvy's caddy, received $337,888.

Significance

Caddying is now seen as a legitimate profession, and caddies are finally receiving appropriate wages. In fact, they make such good money, that former players have left golf in order to caddy. Damon Green started out as a pro golfer, but left to caddy for Zach Johnson, and now Green is the fifth top earning caddy. Green brought in $367,716 during 2006-2007, which was more than he ever made as a golfer.

Significance

One of the highest paid caddies works for Tiger Woods. During 2007, Steve Williams earned $1.27 million.

Theories/Speculation

The PGA reports that caddies are paid based on how well their golfer does on the green. First they receive a base salary of $1,000 a week, then 5 percent of tournament winnings, 7 percent of a top ten placement and 10 percent for a victory.

Identification

In 2006, Tiger Woods won seven tournaments, including the British Open and the PGA. These victories netted him $8.3 million, which in turn gave his caddy Williams slightly more than 15 percent of the take.

Considerations

One of the things that caddies have to be careful about is spending. They have to pay their own way for all the traveling they do while they are on the golf circuit. Approximately 25 percent of their pay is used for travel and hotels. This is not a problem for caddies who are on the higher end of the pay scale, but for those who don't make as much money, this aspect of their job can be a struggle.