how much to tip at golf course

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...

Full Answer

Do you tip at golf courses?

As a general rule, tipping at golf courses is pretty much like tipping at restaurants. If you’ve received a genuine service, toss them some green. If the employee has exceeded expectations, toss them a little more. With some private clubs, however, tipping is not permitted.

How much should I tip my caddie?

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.

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.

How much do you tip a 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. Most starters simply check you in at the first tee, maybe announce that it is your turn to tee off.

Do you tip at golf clubs?

As a general rule, tipping at golf courses is pretty much like tipping at restaurants. If you've received a genuine service, toss them some green. If the employee has exceeded expectations, toss them a little more. With some private clubs, however, tipping is not permitted.

How much should you tip a bag boy?

How much do you tip the bag drop guys. 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.

How much do you tip a golf pro after a lesson?

Most of the time, a golfer will round up the fee of a lesson or simply give a cash amount at the end of the lesson. For instance, if your lesson was $40, it is appropriate to give $50, and the same can be said for an $80 lesson and paying $100.

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.

How much should I 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.

Do 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.

Do you tip your golf fitter?

In this specific case, since you won the item and have no expense involved, I would tip the person ~$20 and say "thanks for your help," assuming that they actually were helpful.

How much do you tip a caddy at a country club?

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.

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 Pinehurst caddie?

CADDIEMASTER® is the provider of caddie services for Pinehurst Resort. Caddie fees are paid upon check-in at the golf shop. Most guests typically share a caddie between two players. Our recommended caddie gratuity is $50 and up per bag for a walking caddie, and $30 per bag and up for a forecaddie.

What is a bag drop in golf?

Most often, when you pull into a golf club, you'll see a sign that says “Bag Drop.” If so, drive up to this area, so a staff member can greet you and take your golf bag out of your car.

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 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.

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.

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 a golf 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.

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.

Do you tip at a clubhouse?

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.

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.