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Golf Tipping: How to Properly Tip at a Golf Course

By seniorgolfusa.com

When it comes to enjoying a round of golf at a course, there’s more to your experience than just swinging clubs and sinking putts. Proper etiquette extends beyond the fairways and into the realm of tipping. Understanding how to properly tip at a golf course can help ensure a positive experience for everyone involved. In this guide, we’ll explore some key considerations and guidelines for golf tipping.

Golf Tipping: How to Properly Tip at a Golf Course

  • Bag room Staff:
    The bag room staff at a golf course is responsible for taking care of your golf bags, loading and unloading them from golf carts or storage areas. It is customary to tip them for their service. A suitable tip for bagroom staff is typically $3 to $5 per bag. If your bags require special handling or if the staff goes above and beyond, you may consider a slightly higher tip to show your appreciation.
  • Cart Attendants:
    At most golf courses, there are dedicated cart attendants who ensure that your golf cart is clean, equipped, and ready for your round. These individuals work hard to maintain the carts and provide exceptional service. It is customary to tip cart attendants around $3 to $5 per golfer, especially when they assist you with loading or unloading your clubs.
Golf Tipping: How to Properly Tip at a Golf Course

Caddies:
Caddies play an important role in enhancing your golfing experience, providing valuable assistance and advice throughout your round. It is customary to tip your caddie at the end of your game. Typically, a tip of 15-20% of the caddie’s fee is recommended. However, consider the level of service, knowledge, and attentiveness provided by your caddie, as this can guide you in determining an appropriate tip amount.

  • Pro shop attendants: Pro shop attendants help you with your golf equipment and apparel. The standard tip for a pro shop attendant is $2-3 per transaction. However, if the pro shop attendant is particularly helpful, such as by finding the perfect club for your swing or helping you choose the right apparel for the weather, you may want to tip them a bit more.
  • Locker room attendants: Locker room attendants help you with your golf gear and provide you with towels and other amenities. The standard tip for a locker room attendant is $2-3 per person. However, if the locker room attendant is particularly helpful, such as by cleaning your clubs or giving you a massage, you may want to tip them a bit more.
  • Food and beverage staff: The food and beverage staff at a golf course includes the people who work in the restaurant, bar, and snack bar. The standard tip for food and beverage staff is 15-20% of your bill. However, if you received exceptional service, such as by being served quickly or having your food cooked perfectly, you may want to tip more.
  • Players’ Lounge Staff:
    After an enjoyable round of golf, many golfers head to the players’ lounge to relax and unwind. The lounge staff works diligently to provide food, drinks, and a comfortable atmosphere. Tipping the lounge staff is customary, with a gratuity of around 15-20% of your total bill being appropriate.
Golf Tipping: How to Properly Tip at a Golf Course

Golf Instructors:
If you’re receiving lessons from a golf instructor at the course, it’s important to acknowledge their expertise and dedication. While tipping golf instructors is not mandatory, it can be a thoughtful gesture to show your appreciation. A suitable tip for a golf instructor is typically 15-20% of the lesson fee, or you may consider a flat amount based on the length and quality of the instruction.

  • Other Considerations:
    Apart from these specific tipping scenarios, it’s important to consider other individuals who may have contributed to your golfing experience. Groundskeepers, maintenance staff, and other behind-the-scenes workers play a crucial role in maintaining the course’s condition. While direct tipping may not be expected, you can support their efforts by being respectful of the course, repairing divots, and following any posted guidelines.

Remember, tipping at a golf course is an expression of gratitude for the service provided and should be done in a manner that reflects your satisfaction with that service. While the suggested tip amounts provide a general guideline, it’s essential to consider factors such as the quality of service, your overall experience, and your personal financial situation when determining the appropriate tip amount.

In addition to these general tipping guidelines, there are a few other things to keep in mind:

  • Always tip in cash: Tipping in cash is always appreciated by the staff. This is because they are not always able to collect credit card tips.
  • Tip early and often: Don’t wait until the end of your round to tip the staff. Tip them when they provide you with service, such as when they take your clubs or bring you a drink.
  • Be generous: If you received good service, be generous with your tip. This will show the staff that you appreciate their hard work.
Golf Tipping: How to Properly Tip at a Golf Course

By adhering to proper tipping etiquette, you not only show your appreciation for the hardworking individuals who make your golfing experience enjoyable, but you also contribute to the positive atmosphere of the golf course community by fostering goodwill and camaraderie among staff and golfers alike.

Correct Position Of The Hands by Golf Distillery

Proper Position of the Hands at Address in Golf

Where to Position Your Hands
Perfect Golf Setup

Hands are positioned too far back, leading to scooping the ball and fat or thin shots

The position of the hands at setup, in relation to the golf ball, can help to determine the quality of your ball striking…

There’s one more checkpoint that I see a lot of golfers overlook (even lower handicap players) that you should incorporate into your set-up position. It has to do with the position of your hands at the address in relation to the golf ball. It’s a very simple tip but it can make a noticeable difference to your golf game.

Hands are positioned too far forward, leading to inconsistent and lower shots
  • To ensure that your setup mimics your impact position, point the butt end of the club at your front or left hip.
  • Having the club held too far back may promote scooping. It can also cause you to hit the ball fat or thin.
  • Likewise, having the club held too far forward would also result in inconsistent strikes and a ball flight that is too low.
Position of the Hands and Shaft in a Golf Setup
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Golf Etiquette: Important on the Golf Course