how to make extra tips as a golf course cart attendant

by Rusty Wiza MD 4 min read

Base pay for the persons working the cart is usually around minimum wage or possibly higher. The easiest thing to do here is to tip the beverage cart attendant like you would a bartender. If they're mixing drinks or set you up with a nice bag of ice, add a few extra bucks.

If you have a forecaddie who is assisting your cart-riding group but not carrying the clubs, figure a tip of about $20 per person. When you come off the course, there might be some more cart attendants offering to clean your golf clubs as they take them off the cart. Again, about $2 or $3 per bag.Jul 18, 2010

Full Answer

Do you tip the beverage cart attendants at golf courses?

Suffice to say their services are expected at many public courses, especially in the summer. Base pay for the persons working the cart is usually around minimum wage or possibly higher. The easiest thing to do here is to tip the beverage cart attendant like you would a bartender.

What does a golf cart attendant do?

Assist golf shop personnel in the tournament setup of golf carts and range operations. The golf cart attendant works closely with the Head Golf Professional on… More... Maintain beverage cart in a clean and orderly fashion.

Are cart girls on a golf course attractive?

It's rare that person running around the golf course isn't a woman, and often they're fairly attractive. I'm sure I don't have to tell the readers here that's by design. No doubt, attractive cart girls -- working a golf course with mostly middle-aged men -- sell more drinks and beer than the ho-hum kind do. And guess what?

What is a BEV cart Girl vs golf attendant?

Bev Cart Girl vs Golf Attendant – Any Difference? A bev cart girl is the same role as a golf attendant. Bev cart girls are responsible for serving food and drinks to golfers out on the course, just like cart attendants. Some courses advertise the role of bev cart girls, while others are looking for golf attendants.

Do golf cart attendants make tips?

The money from the cart is just as good, she says, and her last sale is typically 4:30 in the afternoon. Her hourly wage is about $5, but in a really good nine-hour shift she can make $500 in tips.

Do cart boys make tips?

They are not there just for tips. It is their job to be polite and help you get ready for your round of golf. That is not to say you shouldn't tip them because I feel you should but do not think that if you do not tip them they are going to spit in your golf bag when you're not looking. They will not.

Do golf course workers get tips?

Most municipal courses and many daily-fee courses do not require or expect their employees to be tipped. If the course you're playing does not have a strict dress code, you probably won't have to tip. The higher the green fee, the more likely gratuities are expected to be offered by golfers to staff.

How can I be the best cart girl?

Stop driving the beverage cart when you come within eye shot of a golfer on your hole. If you can't stop, keep a slow and steady pace. When you stop the cart to serve a golfer, make sure you are out of range of the direction of the ball. Stay on the outermost side of the cart path when passing another cart.

How do golf courses get tips?

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. Another option is to call the pro shop in advance of your round and ask what is the proper tipping etiquette.

How much do you tip the golf cart attendant?

To 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.

How much can you make in tips at a golf course?

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.

How much should you pay a Forecaddie?

What about a forecaddie? Given that forecaddies aren't actually carrying your bags, the tip is going to be a little less. Around $25 to $30 is a standard amount, with a little more likely expected at top courses.

How much do you tip 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.

What is a golf cart girl called?

The best thing is a cool refreshing beverage and it's the job of the golf course beverage cart attendant to serve you. A golf course beverage cart attendant, commonly referred to as the beer cart driver, delivers drinks and snacks to golfers.

What is proper golf etiquette?

Parking your cart/golf bag on the side of the green towards the next hole. Being ready to play when it's your turn. Don't sit in the cart while your playing partner is hitting. Get out and go to your ball, figure out what club you want to hit, and be ready when it's your turn. Playing forward.

What is a cart attendant?

A cart attendant retrieves shopping carts from parking lot cart stalls and handles customer service and janitorial tasks for a retail store.

What should I tip a caddie?

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.

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.

How much does an outside service job make?

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. Since the pandemic, I've noticed more and more courses don't have their bag drop staffed due to a combination of reducing human contact and staffing. On a Kansas City golf trip this summer, when we returned our carts to one club, the attendant told us to clean out our own cart.

Do golf carts pay minimum wage?

Base pay for the persons working the cart is usually around minimum wage or possibly higher. The easiest thing to do here is to tip the beverage cart attendant like you would a bartender. If they're mixing drinks or set you up with a nice bag of ice, add a few extra bucks.

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.

How much should I tip a caddie?

At Kiawah Island, for example, caddies are "included" in the Ocean Course green fee, but they suggest a $100 tip on top of it.

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

How much does a forecaddie cost?

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 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.

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.

Do cart boys get stiff?

But they don't. Incredibly, they do get stiffed, and more often than you think. I asked a couple of cart boys how often this happens. Their answer: At least half the time. Often one player looks to the other to take care of it, and none of them do. Or worse yet, they just don't know or care.

Is valeting your car required?

At some courses, valeting your car is either complimentary or required or both. I think a couple of bucks here is plenty for retrieving your car, especially if you're forced to valet. Certainly, though, if you feel like giving them $5, that's not excessive, and at many facilities, those tips are supposed to be pooled.

How much do you tip at a golf cart?

Three-and-a-half holes into your round, it’s now time for one of modern golf’s most ubiquitous symbols: the beverage cart. 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. And if you’re thinking of proposing to the beverage cart attendant, whether dinner or something more, good luck. They’ve heard every line imaginable.

What is the best way to take care of a car?

1. Bag drop/valet. Upon arrival, there’s often a valet to assist with your car, though more often than not, it’s a bag drop attendant. A crisp $5 bill is sufficient to make a positive impression and ensure very good care of your vehicle and your sticks, but two or three dollars will get the job done as well.

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.

Can 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. 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. For those courses where gratuities are good, here are some guidelines to follow.

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.

Beverage Cart Attendant

Responsible for driving electric cart on golf course and serving/selling beverages and snacks from the cart.

Golf Cart & Range Attendant

Responsibilities include excellent member service, handling golf bags, cleaning clubs, picking the driving range, and washing carts.

Beverage Cart Attendant

Responsible for driving electric cart on golf course and serving/selling beverages and snacks from the cart.

Beverage Cart Attendant

Responsible for driving electric cart on golf course and serving/selling beverages and snacks from the cart.