what to tip at golf course

The ultimate guide to tipping at a golf course

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...
2. Locker room attendant. If the course has a locker room attendant, and he or she performs a minimal service such as...
3. Helpful starter. We’re almost ready to tee off. Nearly every course you’ll play...

Full Answer

How much should you tip at a golf course?

If you've received great service, a larger tip is appropriate. The green fee of a course influences your tipping. You should expect to tip more, for example, at a $100-per-round course than at a $25-per-round course. Of course, not everyone tips, even when they should.

Should you tip your golf shafts?

In most cases, shaft tipping is done to steel iron and wedge shafts but occasionally is done in graphite shafts for woods and drivers as well. 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.

Do you tip the caddies at golf clubs?

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 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.

How much does a forecaddie cost at TPC Scottsdale?

How much do you tip for $9 beers?

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

Do you tip a ranger?

Can you tip at private golf clubs?

Should you tip a caddiemaster?

Do pro shops tip?

See more

About this website

Do you tip at golf clubs?

Another $2-$3 per bag is a good standard. Remember, a lot of these guys get stiffed from players, so it's not like they're floating in money. You're doing the right thing by tipping them for helping you have a better golf experience. However, some high-end clubs have a no-cash policy on the entire property.

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.

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.

What are the tips on a golf course?

"The tips" is a slang term golfers use to denote one of two things: The most rearward set of tees on each golf hole; Or, collectively, playing the golf course at its longest distance (because you are using No. 1)....And what does 'playing from the tips' mean?Back tees.Championship tees.Tournament tees.

How much do you tip a boy golf bag?

Some golfers tip every time a bag boy handles their clubs. They believe $1 to $2 is an appropriate amount for each occasion.

Should you tip a golf pro?

Truly, golf professionals are not accustomed to being tipped in a way that they will expect it. You can simply offer it, and it will be a nice surprise for them, but they are not expecting or requiring a tip from you. Tipping does not need to be a lot of money. You could simply round a $45 lesson up to $50.

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.

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 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.

Should I play from the tips?

Who should play from the tips? Generally, playing the tips should be reserved for people with a low-handicap. It doesn't serve a high handicapper or beginner right to play from the tips because it will cause unneeded difficulty in getting the ball to the green. Even if a course is shorter, say one that is 6,000 yards.

How do you approach a new golf course?

Playing a New Golf Course – 10 Rules to Shoot Lower ScoresCreate a Game Plan for the Course. ... Get Your Golf GPS Ready. ... Get There 30-60 Minutes Early. ... Find Help Before Teeing Off. ... Tee It Forward. ... Have a Strategy For Every Shot. ... Aim For The Middle of the Green. ... Stay Patient During The Round.More items...

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

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.

Tipping shafts makes them play how much stiffer? - GolfWRX

It's an interesting question. It is hard to generalize as an increase in flex does not necessarily mean a uniform increase in stiffness over the whole bend profile and also how much even the tip sections can increase with a change in flex can vary quite a bit between different shafts.

How much to tip the bag drop guy? : golf - reddit

$2 for your club pickup is nice. $2-$5, for the guys cleaning your clubs at the end . If you're tipping the cart girls, tip those guys. They are minimum wage guys..

End of Golf Lesson: Do You Tip the Pro? - Forums - GolfWRX

I got at 5-30 min private instruction package. The last 30-min session is tomorrow. I plan to sign up for another set of instructions. So do I tip the instructor since it's the last of 5 lessons? Thanks.

A guide for tipping at private golf clubs | Golf | stltoday.com

It's a nice club, but it makes you uncomfortable. You're a public-course golfer. At a private club, you never know whom to tip, or how much. There are confusing customs and protocols.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Do golf courses require gratuities?

At Many (In Some Places Most or All) Courses, Gratuities are Not Necessary. Not all golf courses require tips. Some even forbid it. Generally speaking, tipping is uncommon or not allowed in many parts of the world, but offering a gratuity is very common in the United States.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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 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.

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.

Should you take care of a golf cart when dropping off a group?

There are certainly exceptions, though. 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.

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.

Who is Mike Bailey?

Mike Bailey. Mike Bailey is a senior staff writer based in Houston. Focusing primarily on golf in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America with an occasional trip to Europe and beyond, he contributes course reviews, travel stories and features as well as the occasional equipment review.

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.

What is a parallel shaft?

A parallel shaft is one that has a constant diameter from the tip and up to a specified distance on the shaft. Conversely, a taper tip is as it’s described — the shaft tapers towards the tip. Most new clubs (irons and woods) are designed to accommodate parallel shafts, but can also accommodate a taper shaft using brass adapter shims.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.