Well, howdy folks! Let’s gab a bit ’bout how much them golf caddies make, ya hear? It ain’t always a straightforward thing, kinda like farmin’, some years good, some years not so much.
So, How Much Do Them Golf Caddies Really Make?
I heard tell that as of December 1, 2024, a caddy in the United States makes, on average, about $18.85 an hour. Now, that’s just an average, mind ya. Some fellers, the lucky ones I reckon, they make as much as $29.57 an hour. Then ya got the others, poor souls, makin’ as little as $9.86. Most of ’em, though, they fall somewhere in between, ’bout $15.38 to $21.63 an hour. That’s what I heard, anyway.
The Fancy-Pants Caddies at Pebble Beach
Now, if ya workin’ at one of them fancy places, like Pebble Beach, well, that’s a whole ‘nother story. Them caddies, they can rake in the dough. I heard tell they make anywhere from $41,000 to $65,000 a year! That’s a hefty sum, ain’t it? Most of that’s their regular pay, but some of it’s extra, like tips I guess. Their regular pay, they say it’s around $38,000 a year. That’s more than some folks make in a lifetime, back where I come from.
The Big-Shot Caddies and Their Winnings
- Then ya got the caddies for the real big-shot golfers, the fellers ya see on TV. Them caddies, they make a killing!
- Take Scottie Scheffler’s caddie, Ted Scott, for example. That feller, he’s gonna make over $5 million this year! Can ya believe it?
- That’s more than most of them golfers make! He’d be right up there with the top 25 golfers in earnings. Makes more than them Viktor Hovland and Tommy Fleetwood fellas. That’s what I heard, anyway.
What Makes a Caddy’s Pay Go Up or Down?
Now, a caddy’s pay ain’t just set in stone, ya know. It depends on a whole bunch of things. Where ya workin’ at is a big one. A caddy at a fancy country club is gonna make more than a caddy at a little ol’ public course, that’s for sure.
Experience matters too. A caddy who’s been at it for years, who knows the course like the back of his hand, he’s gonna get paid more than some greenhorn just startin’ out. And then there’s the golfers themselves. Some golfers are generous, they tip well. Others, well, they’re tighter than a tick on a hound dog. And if you’re lucky enough to caddy for a real winner, like that Scheffler feller, well, then you’re in the money, honey!
More Ways for a Caddy to Make a Buck
And it ain’t just about the hourly pay or the salary, ya see. There’s other ways for a caddy to make some extra cash. Tips, like I said, are a big one. A good caddy, a friendly caddy, he can make a nice chunk of change in tips. And some caddies, they get bonuses if their golfer wins a tournament. Can ya imagine that? A big ol’ bonus just for carryin’ them clubs around!
Professional Golf Caddies and How They Get Paid
The caddies for the professional golfers, they got a whole different system. Some of ’em get a percentage of the golfer’s winnings. So, if the golfer wins big, the caddy wins big too. It’s a gamble, I reckon, but it can pay off somethin’ fierce. I heard some get a regular salary, plus a percentage. That way, they are sure to get somethin’ even if their golfer don’t win nothin’. It’s all different, ya see.
So, Can a Caddy Make a Good Livin’?
Well, it depends. If you’re caddying at a fancy club, or if you’re lucky enough to caddy for a top pro, you can make a darn good livin’. But even if you’re just caddying at a local course, you can still make some decent money. It ain’t easy work, mind ya. You gotta be out there in all kinds of weather, luggin’ them heavy bags around. But if you’re good at it, and if you enjoy it, it can be a pretty good gig. Better than slinging hash at the diner, that’s for sure.
In Conclusion…
So, there ya have it. That’s the lowdown on how much them golf caddies make, as best as I can figure it. It ain’t a simple answer, but then again, nothin’ in life ever is, is it? But one thing’s for sure, a good caddy is worth his weight in gold. They ain’t just carryin’ clubs, ya know. They’re givin’ advice, keepin’ the golfer calm, and helpin’ him win. And that’s worth somethin’, ain’t it?
