How Much Should You Tip Your Golf Caddie?
- Flat Fee. Most of the time, the course or third-party service that provides the caddie will charge a flat rate per round (or per “loop”).
- Percentage. As a general rule of thumb, it’s fair to assume 20% is adequate. ...
- Price of Green Fee. ...
Do you tip at the golf course?
Tipping Other Individuals at the Golf Course As an avid golfer, you’re more than aware that a course employs a myriad of individuals. Whether it be the high school kid raking the balls from the driving range or the retired gentleman volunteering as the course Marshal leisurely managing the pace of play.
How much to tip a caddie at a golf club?
When you pull up to the bag drop, a club employee will often assist you by taking your clubs from your car and placing them on a cart for you. A standard tip is for a bag caddie attendant is roughly $3 per bag, however, a $5 dollar tip will go a long way to ensure your clubs are cleaned with a bit of extra care and attention after the round.
How much do you tip for golf bag drops?
At some clubs, the attendees will bring your clubs up to the bag drop by the parking lot or even put them in your trunk as your pull up. The standard tip for this is $5 dollars, but if you gave $5 at the bag drop, then only $2-3 bucks more would appropriate here.
How much do you tip at a clubhouse restaurant?
If ordering from a clubhouse restaurant, tip as you would in a typical restaurant. The beverage cart is stocked with snacks and drinks and driven around the golf course throughout the day, allowing golfers to purchase food and drink while on the course. A $1 tip for a $3 purchase is typical.
When should you tip outside service staff?
Do you have to tip a golf instructor?
Can you tip a golf cart at a parking lot?
Do golf courses have a tipping policy?
Do golf courses have valet parking?
Do high end courses take credit cards?
Do Americans tip?
See more
About this website
Do you tip the starter at a golf course?
Standard tip is $2-$3 per bag, maybe $5 if you want to make sure they assist you after the round. Tips for the starter aren't necessary unless the starter is doing something special for you.
Is it customary to tip a golf pro after a lesson?
Have you come to the club to take a lesson from a teaching pro? Don't worry too much about tipping, unless you came back next week after shooting your career low round. Two teaching pros we talked to at prestigious clubs in Phoenix and Chicago say the tip isn't expected.
Do you tip golf attendants?
Well, of course, how much to tip a caddie is up to you and the level of service that you get, but you should generally tip a caddie anywhere from $20-$50 per player after the round.
How much do you tip a golf bag boy?
$3 to $5 per bagTo be safe, $3 to $5 per bag should do the trick. Heck, even $5 per cart really isn't bad. If you do the math -- that's $10 per foursome -- and considering how many carts go out on the course, I'm sure the cart staff would be happy if they averaged that much per bag.
Do you tip your golf coach?
So your golf instructor finally fixed your slice. Eureka! You still don't have to tip them. The lesson fee is plenty.
How much do you tip a golf caddy?
According to Whidden, a caddie should be tipped about 40 to 50 percent of the green fee. And the group should split the forecaddie tip evenly, usually between $50 and $100 in total.
Who should I tip at golf course?
Rule of thumb that most golfers go by is to tip the caddie at least 50% of the cost of the round. That may seem expensive but a knowledgeable caddie can help to improve your round dramatically, especially if you're not familiar with the course.
Are tips good at a country club?
Always bring some extra cash with you even if a member is paying for your guest fee or lunch. You don't have to tip as much as members do, but make sure to throw some cash to the outside service and locker room employees.
What is tipping in golf shaft?
“Tipping” or “tip trimming,” as it's sometimes called, means trimming a club shaft from the clubhead end, not from the grip end where it's most often cut.
How much do you tip a Pebble Beach caddy?
$60-$120A respectable tip for a single caddie is $60-$120 and $100-$140 for a double bag. The caddies at Pebble are what make the round(s) so memorable and they know the greens like no other and provide knowledge about not only the course, but the entire Monterey Peninsula. Happy Golfing at the World's #1 golf destination.
How much do caddies make?
On average, PGA Tour caddies make a base salary of $1,500-$3,000 per tournament, plus a percentage of winnings (if the golfer makes the cut)–10% for a win, 7% for a top-ten finish, and 5% for everything else. While this is typical, caddie's salaries are often negotiated with the golfer.
How much do you tip at a clubhouse?
Josh Kelley Even if they get a couple of dollars, that money adds up over the course of the day. In my opinion, the general rule should be about $5 per person or $20 for a foursome. Feel free to tip more if you feel so inclined. When you tip these guys, word spreads.
How much should I tip golf clubs?
But you might also want to pay attention to how much work they do in cleaning your clubs. If it's just a cursory wipe here and there, I might tip $2 or $3. If they really do clean your clubs, thoroughly, certainly a little more.
How much do you tip a forecaddie?
So what is typically customary tip on top of the fee? For a forecaddie, about $20 to $25 per player. For a caddie toting just your bag -- around $40 to $50 -- a little less for a double bag because the other player should be tipping said caddie, too. But if you want to be safe, don't be afraid to ask the head pro or director of golf. You can ask the caddie master, too, but I prefer to ask a pro. They're a little more objective.
What happens if you double team your cart after the round?
If they're double-teaming your cart after the round, chances are that the cart boys pool their tips. Mike Bailey/GolfAdvisor
When should you take care of your golf bags?
If you're dropping off an entire group or two, you should probably take care of them in the beginning and at the end, especially if they're running your bags to the golf carts as well.
Who to ask to tip a caddie?
If you take a caddie and don't know how much to tip, ask the pro or even caddie master. Tom Bedell/GolfAdvisor
Do private clubs take cash?
At some private clubs, believe it or not, nothing (those clubs typically don't take cash anywhere). It's part of the service, and some have no-tipping policies. At most clubs -- and especially resorts and high-end daily fees -- you need to be ready with some small bills. But just how many small bills?
Can you tip at the end of a golf round?
Often, the person who takes your clubs at bag drop also takes care of bags at the end of the round, so you're probably okay just tipping at the end. At some courses, tips are actually pooled, so taking care of them once is okay there, too. There are certainly exceptions, though.
How much should a caddie tip?
And the group should split the forecaddie tip evenly, usually between $50 and $100 in total.
When was the guide to tipping published?
Guide to tipping on the golf course. Published on Monday, August 25, 2014. Let's say you've been invited to play a round as a guest by a friend who's a member of the local private country club. Or maybe there's a charity tournament going on at a course that you've never been to.
Do you tip before you head off?
If tipping is not expected, before you head off, make sure you stop by and "let the pro shop staff or head professional know what a great job they did," Whidden added.
How much tip do you get for a golf cart?
The beverage cart is stocked with snacks and drinks and driven around the golf course throughout the day, allowing golfers to purchase food and drink while on the course. A $1 tip for a $3 purchase is typical. Remember, these are just guidelines. Adjust your tipping to the circumstances.
How much do you tip a caddie master?
If there's a caddie master — the person who assigns caddies to golfers or groups — you can ensure getting a good caddie by tipping the caddie master 20 percent of the caddie fee. Forecaddies. A forecaddie doesn't carry anyone's golf bag. One forecaddie will be assigned to a group of four.
Why do golfers sprint to the clubhouse?
Some golfers will sprint from their cars to the clubhouse to avoid the "cart jockeys" who greet golfers and take their golf bags. Or park in a far corner of the parking lot, hoping to avoid being seen. Some golfers, following the completion of a round, park their cart far away from the cart return area to avoid another tip.
How much should a forecaddie tip?
A forecaddie should get one tip from the group, $50-$100 total. Food and Drink. If buying food or drink at a snack bar, look for a tip jar on the counter. Stuff a buck in, or drop in your change. If ordering from a clubhouse restaurant, tip as you would in a typical restaurant.
Can you tip at a golf resort?
Remember, these are just guidelines. Adjust your tipping to the circumstances. And the best bet when visiting a golf resort or high-end golf club is to call ahead and ask about the policy on gratuities.
Do you tip golf course staff?
Now we turn to dollar-amount guidelines for golf course gratuities. Keep in mind that of all the golf course staff members listed below as potentially requiring a tip, the odds of your having to tip them all in one place, during one round of golf, are very slim. If you are visiting a course where all of these staff members work, you will already be planning to spend a large amount of money.
Do golf courses have valet parking?
Valet Parking. Valet parking is fairly uncommon at golf courses, but some high-end courses and resorts do offer it. Tip the same as you do at a restaurant or hotel for such a service; if you've never used such a service and don't have a set amount you tip, then $3 is a good baseline amount. Bag Drop.
Bag Drop
The bag drop attendant is a lot like a bell hop at a hotel. When you pull up to the bag drop, a club employee will often assist you by taking your clubs from your car and placing them on a cart for you.
Starter
You will rarely tip the starter unless he/she goes out of their way for you. Examples of a starter going the extra mile include allowing you to jump ahead on the waiting line to get off earlier, assisting you in playing through slower golfers, or simply squeezing you out there when the course is backed up and you don’t have a scheduled tee time.
Cart Return
Revisiting the bag drop attendees, this tip, if not given before the round, should be offered at the end, when you return your cart to the clubhouse. Here again attendees (often the same group who took your bag earlier) will take your clubs off your cart and will clean them up.
Caddies
If you use a caddie (which some golf courses require), make sure you know the tipping protocol before your hire them for the day. Odds are if your using one, you’re at a high end country club so expect to spend some serious cash for service. Rule of thumb that most golfers go by is to tip the caddie at least 50% of the cost of the round.
Forecaddies
Although rare, occasionally a single forecaddie is assigned to a group of golfers and his or her job is to keep track of everyone’s shots. A good forecaddie can do wonders for helping you find your ball easier and speed up your round.
On-Course Food and Drinks (e.g. Beverage Cart)
If you buy any food or drink at a snack bar or grill inside the clubhouse, tip the same way you’d tip if you went to a nice restaurant. There’s no need to be over generous unless the level of service calls for it. Most times simply throwing a buck or two into the tip jar at the snack stand will do.
How much to tip a golf club caddie?
A standard tip is for a bag caddie attendant is roughly $3 per bag, however, a $5 dollar tip will go a long way to ensure your clubs are cleaned with a bit of extra care and attention after the round. You can simply say “thank you, please clean them up after my round today too” when handing over the $5 to let them know that you’re extending a double tip for bag drop and club cleaning.
How much tip to tip on a 10 dollar cart?
When it comes to the beverage cart, the rule of thumb here is first, try no to lay the flirting on to heavily (unless she’s a 10, then go for it), and second, a $1 tip on a 10 dollar or less purchase is ideal ($2 on 11-20, $3 on 21-30, and so on).
How to avoid embarrassing golf tips?
If you’re doing business out on the course or just generally want to ensure you don’t do anything embarrassing, your best bet is still to call ahead and ask the pro shop what the standard tips are for the various services their particular course offers. Most importantly, always remember to have some cash on you! Perhaps the most embarrassing thing is not being able to tip or having to borrow cash from someone else to do so. A good idea would be to keep a few singles hidden away in your golf bag so you’re never caught unprepared.
What is the most important thing to keep in mind about this golf tipping guide?
The most important thing to keep in mind about this golf tipping guide is that it’s exactly that…a guideline. Always keep the unique circumstances of the day, facility, and service level in mind when deciding how much to tip.
How much does a Forecaddie get for a round?
If you have a helpful forecaddie sweating out a full 5 hour round he or she should typically receive about $50-$100 total for the group.
Do you tip someone for a golf cart?
It’s important to also use your discretion a bit here. If you’re playing at a public course where you pick up and return carts yourself there is obviously no need to tip anyone. Just make sure to take care of anyone who goes out of there way to attend to your cart or bag.
Can you short change a caddie?
If you’re a guest at a private club it’s also well within your rights (and ethical standards) to simply ask a member what he or she typically tips caddies at their establishment, or you can always call the pro shop in advance of your round and ask what is the proper tipping etiquette. Just don’t short change your caddie.
How much does Bandon Dunes charge?
For instance, Bandon Dunes charges a fee of $100 per bag. The historic Pinehurst has mixed rates depending on whether you want a caddie assigned only to you, or if you and the gang prefer a forecaddie for your round. Finally, throwing $25-$50 to the group’s forecaddie though is the normal standard.
What does the orange fan mean on a tee shot?
Think of forecaddies as the marshals in a professional tournament standing near the tee shot’s landing zone with their coveted highlighter-orange fan, indicating the direction of a tee shot.
What is a starter in golf?
Typically, most starters are retired gentleman looking to get out of the house and stay close to the game. They regulate the pace of play by ensuring tee times are perfectly adhered to.
Which green enabled you to drain an impossible 50 footer?
Maybe it was the advice you were given on the 16th green which enabled you to drain an impossible 50-footer.
Is golf a game of class?
Although it’s your money and only you should dictate where it goes and to whom, golf is a game of class and etiquette. Decreasing the lump in your back pocket by expanding the size of your caddie’s tip should always be something to consider as you walk off the 18th green!
Do employees get benefits from golf?
In any given round of golf, you are guaranteed to run into or receive the benefits from numerous employees. Below, let’s briefly remind ourselves who these people are, the services they typically provide, and a suggested tip you may offer them.
Is it better to play golf on the course or elsewhere?
Keep in mind that no matter how poorly you think you might’ve played, any day on the golf course is better than one spent elsewhere.
grillkungen
Coming from overseas to US is always a pleasure. It`s just one thing I believe that I never will get used with and that is the tipping culture. Especially at golf courses it can be a little confusing. Who should I tip and how much?
bruinsPATSirish
You will get a pretty big range of opinions on this but this is my advice... Bag drop/club cleaner- I put these together because where I golf these are the same. I give them $5 on the way in if someone gave me good service, a friendly face and loaded my bag up.
Bonneville85308
This is what I do, but I'm not exactly the most generous guy around, and I am not exactly playing Merion and Pine Valley either: Bag drop each time coming and going - $2 Club cleaner (though at public courses I often tell them I don't want my clubs cleaned)- $3-$5. Shoe shine guy at private club - $5 per pair of shoes. Beverage cart - $1 per item Caddie (if I am a guest at a club that has them): I offer to my host to pay the caddie for both of us.
dlygrisse
2 to $5 for bag drop or club cleaning. 20% of tab for food and beverage is a good rule of thumb.
joey2aces
If there is a starter then that's up to you. If he is keeping things in line, grabbing people at the range, handing out water/cards/pencils/wet face towels on a hot day I will throw him $5.
Greenie
You can call me a cheap @ss if you want. I don't like any one touching or unloading my clubs. I didn't use to be that way. Some yrs. ago I had the bag drop person set my bag on the cart but failed to secure it. Off we go and my bag falls on the ground. The course said they were not responsible for replacing a scuffed bag and damaged driver.
Philipp
Interesting topic. Have to get used to it every time I'm in the US. Last November for one week in Naples it was virtually impossible to decline these services. Once we've parked the car the guys almost jumped into our trunk and grabbed our bags. After the round the cleaning guys started wiping down our clubs the same second we stopped our cart. So it was difficlult to say no. Especially the so called "cleanig" bothers me..
When should you tip outside service staff?
When should you tip the outside service staff? Generally speaking, you shouldn't feel compelled to tip until the end of the round, though some golfers certainly tip at the beginning once their bags are loaded. It's a tricky thing. The outside service staff will typically pool tips with their crew. So it's possible someone who helped you in the morning won't get your money if you finish after their shift. From my experience at the bag drop it all just evens out in the long run.
Do you have to tip a golf instructor?
So your golf instructor finally fixed your slice. Eureka! You still don't have to tip them. The lesson fee is plenty. Referrals are the best way to show appreciation. However, longtime students may get their instructors some sort of gift over the years or on a holiday.
Can you tip a golf cart at a parking lot?
Lower-end or municipal facilities might have golf cart attendants but they don't really interact with you and you're allowed to take your cart to the parking lot to load and unload. In these cases tipping isn't expected. That said, if you get a clean cart stocked with divot mix and possibly even ice or towels, a couple bucks to the folks to the crew would certainly be appreciated.
Do golf courses have a tipping policy?
There are some private clubs that have a no-tipping policy besides caddies and their food & beverage staff (and an 18% +/- service charge is automatically added). Resorts with a membership might also automatically add 18% to any food & beverage charge; check your bill before paying.
Do golf courses have valet parking?
Some higher-end golf courses or private clubs have valet parking. Some even have mandatory valet. Valet parking is usually complimentary but in some cases there is a fee. The fee never goes to the valet (who usually makes close to minimum wage or is paid a flat fee by the shift) but to the company or property. You should only feel compelled to tip once after getting your car back. $5 a car to the valet should do the trick.
Do high end courses take credit cards?
Most higher-end courses these days give the attendant a portable point-of -sale machine that accepts credit cards with a tip line, but some courses are still old-school and either require cash or will have to take your card back to the clubhouse to run it.
Do Americans tip?
No country tips quite like the United States. Americans are a generous and charitable bunch and that certainly goes for how many of us treat our service workers. But let's be real - tipping can also feel burdensome and even awkward. Most of us carry cash less often than we used to and ATM fees keep going up. Historians point to the proliferation of tipping in America during reconstruction in the late 1800s when ex-slaves took waiter jobs in city restaurants and porter positions on trains and their employers paid them very little. So the patrons' tips helped them make something closer to a livable wage. This model proliferated further during prohibition and the Great Depression and server minimum wages lower than other jobs was codified into law by FDR in 1938. ( Here is a great NPR podcast that goes into the history of tipping .)
