Highest Paid Professional Golf Caddies

Highest Paid Professional Golf Caddies

by Dr. Eric Wilson Keiser University College of Golf Executive Director of Golf Operations

Many people think of a golf career as being glamorous and filled with days of playing golf on some of the most beautiful courses in the world.

Yes, the jet set life of being a well-paid golfer is a truly beautiful thing. But what if there was another way to make a good living and to spend most hours of the day on the fairways and greens of the best courses around?

Sure, it isn’t playing the The Masters, but it is still a career in golf. Professional golf caddies may not get the fame and glory that professional golfers do, but they can make a small fortune. Plus, they never have to take a shot.

How Much Do Professional Caddies Make?

Just because some players are cheap and only tip caddies pocket change, it doesn’t mean all caddies are living on nickels and dimes.

In 2015, the US Open winner, Jordan Spieth, made a cool $1.8 million in prize money. His caddie Michael Greller pocketed $180,000 for his performance at the tournament.

Sure, he spent the US Open carrying Spieth’s golf bag, but he was more than that to Spieth. The tournament winner credited Greller with helping him through the rough patches of the U.S. Open and keeping his eye on the prize.

Despite Greller playing down his role in Spieth’s win, he was able to keep the PGA Tour player calm when it mattered.

According to sources, 10 PGA caddies made a minimum base salary of $110,000 in 2022. That is an astronomical amount to many of the lower-tier PGA golfers that hope they can simply make the cut at the upcoming tour event. But six-figure earnings aren’t the maximum yearly salaries caddies can make; and some have seen seven-figure years thanks to their careers in golf.

Top-Earning Caddies in Professional Golf

Here are some of the standout names and how they’ve made their mark as caddies:

Michael Greller — Jordan Spieth’s Caddie

Greller long served as Spieth’s right hand. In Spieth’s 2015 U.S. Open win, Greller reportedly earned $180,000 from that one tournament. While that was years ago, his role is often used as a reference for high-profile caddie payoff.

Steve Williams: The Legendary Bag Man

Steve Williams is arguably golf’s most famous caddie. He worked with Greg Norman, then Tiger Woods, compiling a string of major victories. Over his years with Woods, estimates say Williams earned more than $9 million in cumulative splits and bonuses.

Ricky Elliot: Brooks Koepka’s Trusted Caddie

When Brooks Koepka won the 2017 U.S. Open (purse ~$2.16 million), Elliot’s cut was just over $200,000 based on a 10% split assumption.

Harry Diamond: Rory McIlroy’s Longtime Partner

Rory McIlroy’s caddie, Harry Diamond, has reaped significant bonuses from McIlroy’s consistent tournament success. Because the precise figures are private, published analysis suggests Diamond’s annual bonus income is likely in the mid six to low seven-figure range.

Ted Scott: A Caddie Eclipsing Many Pro Golfers

Scottie Scheffler’s longtime caddie Ted Scott had a season for the record books in 2024. Scheffler’s dominance, including nine wins, the Masters, and his first FedEx Cup, produced an astounding $55.2 million in earnings. By the standard caddie split (10% for wins, 7% for top-10s, 5% for cuts), Scott’s take was estimated at $5.4 million for the year.

That payday didn’t just make him the highest-earning caddie on Tour; it put him ahead of household names like Justin Thomas, Adam Scott, and Viktor Hovland in season money. If Scott’s caddie income were listed on the PGA Tour money list, he would have ranked among the top 25 players in 2024.

Factors That Impact a Caddie’s Salary

Not all caddies make millions. Several variables determine how high a caddie’s paycheck can go:

• Player performance and profile: Top-ranked, winning players generate large purses, boosting the caddie’s cut.
• Tournament size and purse: Big-money events (e.g., The Players Championship, majors) have outsized payouts.
• Fraction splits: While the 10/7/5 model is common, some arrangements use higher or lower percentages depending on negotiation.
• Base pay negotiations: Experience, loyalty, and previous success can influence weekly base rates or guarantees.
• Sponsorships, bonuses & perks: Caddies often receive extra money from endorsements, lodging stipends, travel reimbursement, or special performance bonuses.
• Expenses: Caddies cover many costs themselves, so gross pay must offset travel, lodging, food, and gear.

How to Become a Professional Golf Caddie

If you’re drawn to life on the fairways, here are steps to break into caddying at the pro level:

1. Start locally — caddie at private clubs or high-end courses to build experience and reputation.
2. Learn golf strategy & course management — knowing how to read greens, shadows, wind direction, and club selection is invaluable.
3. Network within pro circles — meet players, coaches, agents, and tournament staff.
4. Show reliability & loyalty — caddies often stay with players for years if trust is built.
5. Pursue golf-related education — a degree or coursework in golf management, sports business, or event operations can provide behind-the-scenes career options if looping doesn’t pan out.

Careers as a Golf Caddie or in Golf Management

A caddie career is exciting, but many professionals evolve into other roles in golf. Whether your dream is to walk on the ropes or run the clubs, the skills and contacts you build can translate into:

• Golf course management and operations
• Event planning for tournaments
• Teaching and coaching
• Club services and facility oversight

At Keiser University’s College of Golf, our Golf Management programs equip students with the knowledge and connections to succeed across the industry, from caddying to executive roles.

Caddies are Another Breed

Some caddies play golf to a high-degree, others like ESPN’s Michael Collins didn’t begin playing until his early 20s.
Collins had been a stand-up comedian before getting into the golf caddie game and used his outgoing personality to impress the right people.

Fate intervened and Collins became a caddie for pro golfers such as Omar Uresti and Robert Gamez.
Although his golfers never won on the PGA Tour while he caddied for them, Collins had a great time and parlayed his work on tour into a gig at ESPN.

Caddies’ work is indispensable to a PGA pro, and the money they earn today is reflective of their importance as a golfer’s sidekick.

Whether you’re inspired by the teamwork between golfer and caddie or simply passionate about building a career in the golf industry, the right education can make all the difference. At Keiser University’s College of Golf, you’ll learn from PGA-certified professionals and gain the skills needed to pursue opportunities in golf management or golf teaching and learning. Ready to take the first step toward a rewarding golf career? Contact us today to learn more about our degree programs and how we can help you get started.