how much to tip at a golf course

by Prof. Evan Roberts I 10 min read

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...
  • Percentage. As a general rule of thumb, it’s fair to assume 20% is adequate. If your caddie provides an acceptable...
  • Price of Green Fee. If you are ever in doubt of whether to employ either of the previous...

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.Dec 26, 2015

Full Answer

Do you tip at golf courses?

Aug 26, 2021 · The minimum tip per person to a caddie should be around $50. And of course, offer to grab them a snack or drink at the turn. Keep in mind caddies are probably receiving less than half of the property's caddie fee (which is usually $60-80).

How much should I tip my caddie?

Dec 01, 2021 · You should tip about $20 per person if you have a forecaddie who is assisting your cart-riding group, but not carrying the clubs. You might see a cart attendant cleaning your golf clubs as you leave the course. Again, about $2 or $3 per bag.

How much do you tip at a clubhouse 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. Remember, these are just guidelines. Adjust your tipping to …

How much do you tip for valet parking at a golf course?

Aug 25, 2014 · 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. But what if you...

Who do you tip when you play golf?

caddieWhen tipping is expected at a golf course, expect to tip at bag drop and cart return and, if you are using one, to tip your caddie. Gratuities for food and beverage service are also typical.Feb 4, 2020

How much do you tip a golf pro?

Often, the club plainly or discreetly posts the recommended gratuity, which can cover a range that may depend on the caddie's level of experience (An 'A,' 'B' or 'C') and his or her performance. Pay what you feel is deserved — anywhere from a flat $20, to 20, 30, 40, or even 50 percent of the caddie fee.Sep 19, 2018

How much do you tip a golf bag drop?

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.Sep 30, 2014

Should I tip my golf pro?

Golf instructors provide a service. The service is to help you become a better player. In most service-type businesses, a job well done will receive a tip. If you feel as though the golf lesson that you just took really helped your golf game, then do not hesitate to tip.

Do you tip the starter at a golf course?

Again, keep in mind that you normally won't tip a starter, especially at a private club, and certainly no tip is expected of you. But if your local public course is badly backed up on a Sunday morning a $10-$20 tip may just go a long way in getting your round to commence at an earlier time.Dec 26, 2015

How much should you tip a golf caddie?

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.Aug 25, 2014

How much do you tip a caddie at Bandon Dunes?

With a $25 gratuity per round, caddies can pull in $500 a day for a “dub-dub.” One of our caddies, a 25-year veteran who has looped in major championships, splits his time equally between Bandon and a premier, old money country club in the south.Apr 4, 2016

Should you tip cart boys?

Now, how much should you tip the bag drop guys who take your clubs from the curb to the cart or the staging area? You should hand them $2-$5 per bag.Dec 18, 2016

How does a caddy get paid?

A caddie on the PGA Tour receives a base salary — usually around $1,000 to $2,000 — to cover travel expenses. He will earn 5% of the winnings if his golfer finishes outside of the top 10 and 7% of the winnings for a top-10 finish. The caddie earns 10% of winnings when his golfer wins a tournament.Oct 20, 2019

Should you tip after golf lesson?

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.Aug 26, 2021

How much do pros tip caddies?

A caddie might make 5% or 6% if his player makes the cut, 7% or 8% for a top-10 finish and 10% for a victory.Feb 14, 2019

How much do you tip a caddie at Pebble Beach?

$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 you tip for $9 beers?

Yes, $9 beers can quickly eat a hole in your pocket, just like being at the ballgame, but if the service is acceptable, tip the way you would at a restaurant, 15 percent. For exceptional service, 18 to 20 percent or more.

How much does a forecaddie cost at TPC Scottsdale?

At the TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium course, a forecaddie fee is $75, with a minimum tip on top of that of $25. You won’t be shamed if you leave exactly $25 extra — that’s standard — but you can always do a little more if warranted.

Can you tip at private golf clubs?

With some private clubs, however, tipping is not permitted. A wise move before your tee time at a private club is to check ahead of time with the club and/or the member who invited you about tipping protocol. That will eliminate potentially awkward encounters later.

Should you tip a caddiemaster?

There’s considerable debate as to whether you should reward a caddiemaster at any time. The consensus seems to be ‘no,’ unless you’re the member that’s doing the rewarding.

Do pro shops tip?

There’s no expectation of a tip at the pro shop counter when you check in for your tee time. Still, if the staffer imparts some extra wisdom and hospitality — changing you to a more favorable time, pointing out a sale or a discount if you wait an hour — by all means reach for your wallet.

Do you tip a ranger?

Ranger. At some juncture, you’ll likely encounter a ranger, driving his cart to ensure play is moving along smoothly. A tip for the ranger is seldom necessary, even if he gets the slowpokes in front of you to pick up the pace. If he arranges for recovery of a misplaced club — sure. $5 is a nice gesture.

What to tip Outside Service Staff (bag drop, golf carts)

Pay these days for an outside service position, based on job searches on Indeed.com, ranges from $8.50-$10/hr (although in California, state minimum wage is $13-14). These job postings suggest additional pay through tips and in my experience back in the 1990s I typically doubled my $6.50 hourly rate via tips.

What to tip the Beverage Cart Attendant

Golfers get happy when they see the Turning Stone beverage cart. Courtesy of Frank J. Forte

What should I tip a caddie?

Years ago we visited at a private club with an overnight lodge. Upon arrival, we were told we had caddies and we did what we thought was the right thing: we asked the head pro what the customary tip was here.

What should I tip a forecaddie?

Forecaddies are different from walking caddies. They will rake traps, provide guidance on tee boxes, read some putts and help spot balls. There is usually one per foursome so don't expect them to get you every yardage in the fairway or break of the green. You can tip less per golfer since there are four of you.

Locker room attendant

The classier locker rooms in resort or private golf come staffed with an attendant. The great ones will greet you upon entry and make you feel at home. At a recent day spent at Oakland Hills, the attendant was sure to go out of my way to greet me, show me around and cleaned my spikes while I had a drink in the bar in my socks.

Valet

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.

Do I tip a golf course starter or ranger?

Starters and rangers generally don't receive tips, unless perhaps they squeeze you into a jammed tee sheet or go above and beyond in other ways. Most of them are retired and have the job for free golf, socialization and finding balls in the weeds during their patrols.

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.

Is tipping required at golf courses?

Updated February 04, 2020. Something all veteran golfers know and all beginning golfers learn soon enough is that tipping (as in a gratuity) is sometimes expected — and sometimes required — at higher-end golf courses.

Do you tip at golf courses?

If you are playing golf in a locale where gratuities are common, or socially acceptable, then tipping at the golf course might be, too; if not, then don't expect to tip at the golf course . Therefore, it's a good idea if planning a stay at a resort or a visit to a swanky club to call ahead and ask.

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.

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.

What does it mean to tip a golf club?

“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. ...

What is a hard step in golf?

A “hard step” is to put a 5-iron shaft into a 4-iron clubhead and so on through the set. This makes the shaft play a little stiffer. A “soft step” is the opposite — it means putting a 3-iron shaft into a 4-iron head (and so on through the set) to make the shaft play a little softer. To receive GOLF’s all-new newsletters, subscribe for free here.

Does tipping affect spin rate?

Lastly, tipping won’t do much to affect spin rates and launch angle — two popular misconceptions when it comes to trimming the lower end of a shaft.

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