Working as a caddie at the Masters offers a unique experience unlike any other, as Ken Martin can attest.
"Caddies are treated exceptionally well at Augusta," shared Martin, who served as a caddie for Scottish golfer Sandy Lyle during last year's major tournament. "We had our own locker room. The food they provide is absolutely fantastic — some of the best I've ever tasted. However, it's a demanding week. You need to be in good shape to navigate that hilly course."
Tomorrow, some of the top names in professional golf such as Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson will gather at the renowned hilly course to participate in the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia. The golfers will be vying for a multimillion-dollar prize and the opportunity to wear the prestigious green jacket for a year.
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Much of the focus this year will be on the prize money awarded to the winner of the upcoming tournament. The purse for the 2023 Masters reached $18 million, marking a $3 million increase from the previous year — the largest jump in tournament history. Out of this total, the 2023 champion Jon Rahm took home $3.24 million.
However, it's not just the players who stand to gain financially. The winning caddie can also earn a substantial six-figure sum after four days of work. Securing this prestigious four-day role is the result of years spent building a close relationship with a professional golfer, according to Martin.
Caddies establish a strong bond with a golfer long before major events like the Masters, Martin explained. While spectators in the stands and viewers at home may only witness the caddie passing a club to the player, there is constant communication happening between the two during breaks and as they move to the next hole. Martin, a former professional player from 1982 to 2015, now shares his expertise in golf at Keiser University in Florida.
Aside from lugging the heavy bag, the caddie also offers advice on club selection and swing technique, Martin highlighted. This is because most caddies working PGA Tour events have a background as former professional players and possess extensive knowledge of the game.
But technique is just a small piece of the puzzle, according to Martin. With a deep camaraderie established over time, it's highly likely that the two spend most of their time chatting like old friends, he mentioned.
"It's tedious to only discuss golf for 4 to 6 hours," Martin explained. "You're out there together for a long time, so the friendship aspect of it becomes more significant."
What is the income for caddies at the Masters?
Caddies such as Martin receive a salary from two different sources during the Masters. One part consists of a weekly pay ranging from $2,000 to $4,000 depending on the caddie's expertise, as reported by the Association of Professional Caddies and the Caddies Network to CBS MoneyWatch. This weekly wage helps caddies financially as they are responsible for covering their own travel expenses to Georgia, as well as accommodation and meals while working at the tournament.
Caddies also receive a percentage of their player's earnings after the tournament concludes. The caddie of the Masters champion will receive 10% of the prize money. For instance, Jon Rahm won last year's Masters and received $3.24 million.
The caddie for the Masters' runner-up will receive 7% of their player's prize money, while all other caddies will receive 5%.
According to John von Stade, CEO of Caddies Network, there are rare instances where a caddie may have a private contract with the player, resulting in a different salary structure than the traditional setup.
In the last five years, caddies have experienced some positive changes. PGA Tour officials have raised caddies' weekly wages, and with an increase in players' prize money, caddies now have the potential to earn six figures after a tournament.
However, von Stade pointed out that one thing that remains unchanged is that if the player fails to make the cut, caddies have no other source of income besides their weekly fee.
