Billy Spencer grew up in Aurora, Ontario (currently based out of Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas) and has been a caddie on the PGA Tour for 25 years.
What does it actually take to make a living on the PGA Tour?
In this episode of Convos with Cody, Cody Malloy sits down with 25-year PGA Tour caddie Billy Spencer for an insider’s look into professional golf. Billy opens up about the reality behind the scenes on tour, how the role of a caddie has evolved from carrying bags to managing player psychology, and what the average golf fan gets wrong about how hard tour pros actually work.
In this episode, we cover:
The Tour Grind: The 8 to 12-hour workdays pros put in on non-tournament days.
Evolution of a Caddie: Transitioning from "show up and keep up" to being a strategist, coach, and therapist.
Behind the Scenes at Augusta National: What makes the Masters experience unmatched by any other tournament.
Travel & Life on the Road: Beating jet lag, navigating 35+ weeks of travel, and clever airline booking hacks.
The Modern College Athlete: How D1 facilities, NIL, and junior golf development are changing the rookie transition to the PGA Tour.
Favourite Venues & Stories: Course walks, Kapalua/Maui memories, and life inside the PGA Tour traveling circus.
Cody's socials:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cody_malloy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cody_malloy/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cody_malloy/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/codycmalloy/
Billy's X: https://x.com/spencercaddy17?s=11&t=BKDaaKTVPXIrtYC9BiSAHQ/
Chapters:
(00:00) Introduction
(00:31) How Good Are PGA Tour Pros, Really?
(00:54) The Daily Grind: 8 to 12-Hour Workdays on Tour
(04:19) Beating Jet Lag & Long-Haul Travel
(08:27) How Billy Became a 25-Year PGA Tour Caddie
(10:36) How the Role of a Caddie Has Evolved
(13:39) Sports Psychology & Managing Player Expectations
(16:13) Family Life & Being Away 35 Weeks a Year
(19:25) D1 College Golf, NIL & The Rookie Transition
(22:22) The Hardest Part for Rookies: Learning Courses & Pro-Ams
(24:06) The Hardest Golf Courses to Walk on Tour
(26:42) Caddie Life on the Road: Shared Houses & Travel
(30:36) Billy's Flight Credit Travel Hack
(33:59) Behind the Scenes: PGA Tour Amenities & Caddie Setup
(39:28) What Makes Augusta National & The Masters Unmatched
(44:26) Augusta’s Upgrades, Fan Zone & Real Estate
(47:10) Iconic Major Venues: Royal Birkdale & St. Andrews
(50:10) Off-Course Travel: Surfing in Maui & NHL Games
(52:39) Maui Condos & The $18 Ritz-Carlton Milkshakes
