Kip Henley shares the struggles of life as a caddie with photo of bank statement
By Taft Gantt · May 18, 2021
Life as a caddie is not as lucrative as one might think. In fact, a lot of caddies struggle to make a living and are forced to make hard decisions while on the road to save money.
That became very clear when longtime PGA Tour caddie Kip Henley shared his bank statement in a recent TCN Twitter poll.
Next poll. https://t.co/jc66OlKvLP pic.twitter.com/g4oqcPwk9Q
— KIP HENLEY (@KipHenley) May 11, 2021
“That is an actual picture of my bank statement,” Henley told The Caddie Network. “I try to always be as honest and forthcoming as I can to let people know how it’s actually going, and man, we’re struggling right now.”
Henley, who has been a caddie for 16 years, has been on the bag for many players, including stints with Stewart Cink, Austin Cook, Vijay Singh and Brian Gay. While Henley has been in the winner’s circle a handful of times, he has not had much success as of late.
“Most people have no idea what it’s like to be a caddie on the PGA Tour. They think that everyone makes money like crazy, but truly, there are only a handful of guys that never struggle as a caddie,” Henley said.
This past weekend, Henley caddied for Greg Chalmers at the AT&T Byron Nelson. Chalmers failed to make the cut, sending Henley home empty-handed.
“The rest of us caddies have to hop around and try to stay on a bag,” he said. “We make a weekly salary and try to cut corners as best as we can. But unless your player makes the cut, you’re not making any money.”
After being let go by Cink last November and J.B. Holmes just recently, Henley has been looking for that one special player.
“We’re all searching for those great players,” he said. “When you find a guy that is a good, solid player that is making money and truly cares about you and your time with your family, there’s nothing better. You’re chasing down their dreams, and kind of your own dreams. There’s nothing more rewarding than when you and your guy who have been working hard for so long finally get over the hump and get to lift that trophy. ”
Although Henley is in the midst of one of the lowest points in his caddie career, he’s optimistic for what’s to come.
“I’m going to keep pedaling along and waiting for that pot at the end of the rainbow,” he said. “I’m not going to lose my good attitude. I’m going to find a player that loves what they do and it’s going to be high times again.”
God Bless You Mr. Kip Henley! Life is going to turn around for you, we know. Cheers! Brian and Neil Bailey from Apsley, ON CANADA.
A lot of people think that being a caddie is a glorious job. You get to the course at day break and wait for your pro. Sometimes you don’t leave until dark, depending on your pro. Back in my day you would be lucky to make $350.00 a week salary then your percentage, on the Champions tour. This is in the early 90’s. You would send the biggest money home to pay the bills and live off the smallest money, sometimes that would be only $100 and you would have to travel, eat, and pay the motel bill with that.
Have the pleasure of knowing the Henley family.played golf with them and their dad.they all are good golfers.some young person needs to look carefully and catch a falling star.
How about club caddies !!! It’s no easier !!! With these companies like caddy master that take $30 a bag !!! It’s not a great job anymore Even working at a big time club !!! They don’t want the liability anymore !!!
You need to find a better club, one with good tippers!
It’s so unfair. You worked with your golfer on training day, Pro-Am day, on Thursday and Friday, and then he misses the cut and you are paid nothing?