Well, now, if ya ever wondered how much them caddies make, I reckon it’s more than a few folks think. See, caddies ain’t just fetchin’ clubs and shoutin’ out yardages, no sir. These folks can make a heap of money, especially when they work for them big-time golfers. But how much, you ask? Lemme tell ya, it ain’t small change!
What Do Caddies Really Make?
Now, first off, most caddies, the ones on them PGA tours, get themselves a weekly salary. From what I hear, that could be around $2,000 a week, give or take a little. That’s just for carryin’ the clubs, walkin’ them long, hot courses, and doin’ all that hard work. But it ain’t just that. Nope. The real money comes when them golfers start winnin’ big. You see, caddies usually get a cut of whatever the player wins, and that can add up to a nice chunk o’ change.
Now, it ain’t just any golfer who pays big. Take Rory McIlroy, for example. His caddie, Harry Diamond, likely makes a fair bit from that, ’cause Rory’s always near the top of the leaderboard. And, believe me, a caddie like Harry’s probably gettin’ more than just that weekly paycheck. He’d be takin’ home a percentage of those prize winnings too. That means, when Rory wins big—like that $15 million purse he scooped up—Harry ain’t just countin’ his weekly salary. He’s lookin’ at a big payday!
The Big-Timers and Their Big-Paid Caddies
Then there’s folks like Tiger Woods. Now, that man’s a legend, ain’t he? And he’s had himself some mighty fine caddies over the years. Take Steve Williams, for instance. Before he even started workin’ with Tiger, he was already rakin’ in a fair amount. But after hookin’ up with Tiger Woods, well, he went from good to great. Williams helped Tiger win all them majors, and from what I hear, he made a nice little fortune. Some folks say he earned around 10% of Tiger’s winnings—now that’s a lot of dough when Tiger’s takin’ home millions year after year!
Now, you might be wonderin’, “Is it all about the big names?” Well, not necessarily. Some caddies have worked with folks who ain’t always in the spotlight, but still bring in plenty. Take for example Jimmy Johnson, who’s currently workin’ with Justin Thomas. Justin’s done real well on the tour, and Jimmy’s been right there with him, so you can bet his pay’s lookin’ mighty good too.
From Friends to Caddying Partners
Sometimes, caddies ain’t just hired hands—they’re friends. Like with Tony Finau. When Tony needed a caddie to fill in for his regular one, he called up his childhood buddy, Ryan Smith. Now, Ryan Smith ain’t just some guy—he’s a billionaire businessman. He didn’t need the job, but when Tony called, he was there. And you know, folks like Ryan ain’t doin’ it just for the fun of it. They get a share of those winnings too. So, Tony’s good fortune and Ryan’s helpin’ hand means Ryan’s pocket’s gettin’ a little fatter every time Tony wins a big one.
Why Do Caddies Get So Much Money?
Now, some of ya might still be wonderin’—why do these caddies make so much? What’s so special about them? Well, let me tell ya. It ain’t just about cartin’ around golf clubs. Caddies, the good ones anyway, they’re like an extra set of eyes. They know them courses inside and out, they’ve got a sense of how the wind’s blowin’ and where the best places to land a ball might be. They also got to keep the player calm, focused, and ready to make that next big shot. It’s a whole lotta responsibility. So when them players start makin’ money, well, the caddies get themselves a slice of the pie too.
The Most Successful Caddies
- Steve Williams – Worked with Tiger Woods and made millions.
- Joe LaCava – Now caddying for Tiger after Steve left, and he’s still makin’ good money.
- Jimmy Johnson – Helps Justin Thomas, who’s won major championships, so Jimmy’s pocketin’ a nice sum too.
- Willie Lee Stokes – Helped golfers win five Masters titles. He was a legend in the caddie world.
Wrapping It Up
So, caddies ain’t just simple folks carryin’ bags—no sir! They’re gettin’ paid well for the work they do, and when they team up with a winner, it can be a real payday. Whether it’s a steady salary or a share of the winnings, caddies are a big part of why golfers succeed. And when you’re talkin’ about the best of the best, well, they’re takin’ home some serious cash. So next time you see a caddie, just remember—behind every great golfer, there’s a caddie who’s probably doin’ alright for themselves too!
Tags：[highest paid caddies, PGA caddie salary, Tiger Woods caddie, caddie earnings, PGA Tour, caddie income, caddie pay scale, Rory McIlroy caddie, Jimmy Johnson caddie, Ryan Smith caddie]
