​In recent decades, professional caddying at the tour level has shifted from transient, course-to-course work into enduring partnerships grounded in trust and teamwork. The odds of attaining success in the caddie world are slim, noted Jeff Hamley, a caddie for Andrew Novak, in a Break80 Golf interview. He pointed to examples like Ted Scott, who spent years working before joining Scottie Scheffler, illustrating that most caddies build long careers with multiple golfers before reaching notable success. Many of these alliances begin as friendships, with siblings or former teammates taking on caddie roles for aspiring players. In other cases, recruitment drives the process as players switch caddies and veteran loopers with substantial résumés become available.
For one tour caddie, the path started with a PowerPoint presentation. Eight years ago, Jeff Hamley left a recruiting sales job to chase his dream of becoming a professional caddie. He recalls meeting a mutual acquaintance through a handyman named Colton Hiese, who caddies on the PGA Tour for Ricky Castillo. Colton told him he could introduce Hamley to a few players in a last-minute situation, and Hamley agreed to stay ready for a call. That promise led to a rapid trip to the Bahamas to caddie on the Korn Ferry Tour. During the tournament, Hamley was introduced to several players, and a chance conversation with Andrew Novak’s father in an airport ultimately sealed their partnership.
The Bahamas stint, while productive for Hamley’s career, was financially risky. He earned more in expenses than in weekly pay and his share of winnings, a telling reminder of the precarious finances aspiring caddies often face as they struggle to make ends meet. They frequently share hotel rooms, rental cars, and other costs while chasing opportunities. On the PGA Tour, caddies receive a weekly stipend while actively working—typically between $1,000 and $2,000 or more, depending on the player and earnings—and also take home roughly 8 to 10 percent of a player’s winnings. On developmental tours, where purses are smaller, earnings for caddies are correspondingly lower. Hamley recalls a week when six caddies stayed in a two-bedroom house; the room was affordable, but flights and meals were costly. He earned about $900 that week, but spent around $1,700.
After joining Novak’s team, Hamley sought guidance from some of the sport’s most respected professionals. He found mentors in Joe LaCava, Henry Diana, and Eric Larson, who served as role models as he learned the craft. Reflecting on his roots, Hamley notes that he began playing on a nine-hole inner-city municipal course, where early experiences shaped his love for the game. That course hosted junior tournaments every Friday, providing him with early competitive opportunities and a foundation for his future in the sport, as he learned the ropes of caddying from seasoned players and mentors who helped him navigate the path to the PGA Tour.