LPGA Loopers/Caddies

[Rapidcat]

Do they make much of a living?

 

They earn a % of 'their' player's prizemoney, yes? 10%?

 

This would be ok for the loopers of the top 15 or so players this year who will earn between $1m to $2m+ by season's end (the player's earnings, not the loopers) but seems like the middle of the pack LPGA players don't make much prizemoney and even some 'big' names wouldn't be paying their caddies much based on their prizemoney eg Charley Hull has earnt 'only' $343k so far this year (not sure what her caddie arrangement is).

 

Are a lot of LPGA loopers like this guy?

 

Their expenses, travel, accommodation etc are taken care of by their player, yes? They aren't forced to live like this are they?

The above obviously isn't Brittany H.

Edited October 25, 2021 by Rapidcat

[nosil]

Here is a blog from a former caddie that talks about the life.   Go back to the 2017 and before blogs.   
 

https://lifeontour.wordpress.com

 

 

[KBong]

40 minutes ago, nosil said:

Here is a blog from a former caddie that talks about the life.   Go back to the 2017 and before blogs.   
 

https://lifeontour.wordpress.com

 

 

Yup, Larry didn't live a glamourous life as a journeyman loop travelling from event to event on his own dime searching for his next bag.

[KBong]

12 hours ago, Rapidcat said:

Do they make much of a living?

 

They earn a % of 'their' player's prizemoney, yes? 10%?

 

This would be ok for the loopers of the top 15 or so players this year who will earn between $1m to $2m+ by season's end (the player's earnings, not the loopers) but seems like the middle of the pack LPGA players don't make much prizemoney and even some 'big' names wouldn't be paying their caddies much based on their prizemoney eg Charley Hull has earnt 'only' $343k so far this year (not sure what her caddie arrangement is).

 

Are a lot of LPGA loopers like this guy?

 

Their expenses, travel, accommodation etc are taken care of by their player, yes? They aren't forced to live like this are they?

The above obviously isn't Brittany H.

Being a LPGA loop certainly is not a great career/lifestyle especially if one is a journeyman/woman loop.

 

There's no standard pay scale.

BUT 

A standard renumeration typically might be:

$1600-$2200??? per week and this includes the loop having to pay their own travel expenses for US domestic events.

10% for a win

7% for a top 10

5% for all other finishes

0% obviously for a trunk slam.

 

They stay in flea bag motels and sometimes sharing rooms.

In 2010, in Hillsboro.OR...I also stayed in a fleabag motel (the wife didn't go on the trip...we just got a new dog) and lots of loops stayed at this motel too.

 

For simplicity let's look at Amy Olson

T49 on the money list....$400K YTD

So 'commissions' paid out = $23,000 rounded up....look at her weekly money earned and do the math.

 

Amy has played 20 weeks YTD.

Taneka is her 'regular' loop....so Amy likely pays her weekly salary on the high end and likely pays for some international travel expenses.

 

So Taneka might make around $67.000 YTD....not too bad for 20 weeks pay

BUT

I think ya need to subtract some domestic travel costs....never mind the HUGE monthly medical insurance assuming she lives in the US....and I know nothing about this as I live in Canada...but getting some feedback from others...it's EXPENSIVE. 

 

Some loops might pad their pockets wearing a hat...there's quite a few loops wearing KB Financial hats....I'm thinking they might get paid $500/week??? for wearing the hat.

 

On the low end...journeymen loops make a fraction of this....maybe living at near poverty level and some have families back home to support.

 

On the top end....it would be different.

I'm guessing Dave Brooker might make $200-$275K per yearly all up all in...salary + "commissions" on earnings cause JYK  is a high earning pro....I assume JYK pays all of Dave's travel expenses.

I read that JYK is a top LPGA endorsed pro....currently leading the pack at $5M in yearly endorsements.

I also understand...JYK donates a good portion of money made...see below.

Brooker is a veteran loop...I think he 'retired' a while ago to concentrate on a financial planning career in FLA....I think he returned to help out Creamer for a while and obviously JYK snagged him to loop for her.

 

In 2016....I overheard Paul Fusco telling another loop how expensive local hotel/motels were....and saying a nearby Super 8 motel was still $150-175??? a night....I assume he was paying for his own expenses that week???

 

In 2013 in Portland, I was fortunate enough to go for beers and nachos with a journeyman loop.

He told me a LPGA pro's mom was nickel and dime'ing another loop for the week.

And these journeymen/women loops are susceptible/vulnerable to take what they can get because they have already paid the expenses and made the effort to travel . 

 

If you can figure out which loops that might want to chat for a bit...you can find out some good info on the the pro they are working for.

Some LPGA parents are also great folks to chat with.

Some of the fans in the galleries are great convo's too because they have some good LPGA info and a great interest in golf themselves.

 

https://www.nationalclubgolfer.com/news/jin-young-ko-us-womens-open/

Edited October 25, 2021 by KBong

[nosil]

42 minutes ago, KBong said:

Yup, Larry didn't live a glamourous life as a journeyman loop travelling from event to event on his own dime searching for his next bag.

Agree. I think this is more of the typical caddie life.  We see the top caddies that have been on bags forever and do pretty well because they work for the top players on the tour and may have a salary or get the bigger percentages for wins. 

[KBong]

9 minutes ago, nosil said:

Agree. I think this is more of the typical caddie life.  We see the top caddies that have been on bags forever and do pretty well because they work for the top players on the tour and may have a salary or get the bigger percentages for wins. 

I believe you are an annual (week long working) volunteer at Kingsmill each year....I believe you typically are a walking scorer...and "inside the ropes" and get to chat with some loops of the very UNGLAMOUROUS loop lifestyle of 80% of the loops.

 

I played in the 2000 Telus Open pro-am...Cdn Tour event....many players lose money playing on this tour.

 

At dinner....although not the pro in my group....I chatted with Ken Duke....some PGA pros started out on the MacKenzie Tour....I think Chris DeMarco too.

I also chatted with other pros playing....some were sharing a motel room...3 players in a room....not exactly a great lifestyle..."Chasing your Dream"

[KBong]

Talking about Jin Young Ko's character and generosity.....JYK paid her local 17 year old loop 10% for her 2nd place at the 2015 WBO....20000 British pounds.

I doubt JYK had made millions upon millions playing on the KLPGA for few years at that time.

 

https://www.golfpunkhq.com/news/article/jin-young-kos-17-year-old-caddie-

 

Meanwhile MOOCH...I know I know...a deal is a deal...stiffed his local Mexican loop for $5000 including a little "bonus"...LMAO...oh ya...Kuch won along with $1.3M cheque.

But $5000 a week is HUGE money for any local loop.

 

I think Kuch is near $50M in career earnings???...plus like at least $30M+ in endorsements.

It was hilarious hearing his fellow PGA pros roasting him...including Rory.

 

I know I know...rich people get rich cause they don't p*ss away their money.🤣

[KBong]

I think Joe LaCava is only paid a yearly salary...and doesn't get a portion of Tiger's earnings.

But I'm sure Joe makes an ok living just sitting at home.

[mallrat]

I had a journeyman caddy on the PGA tour loop for me at Chambers Bay. He normally loops for 1 of his brothers on tour. He said a caddy generally gets about $20 a round per logo on their hat. That’s on the PGA Tour.