Tipping Caddies

[Lovgoel]

I apologize if this has been discussed somewhere already, but I'm getting ready to play a course that has caddies. I've never had a caddy before, so im curious what is considered cheap/customary/generous as far as tipping. Does it depend on how much it costs to play the course? are the estimates on the course website accurate? (they say about $75 per bag if you're satisfied....)

[jorruss]

If they have caddies where you are playing, then you're probably at a fancy club and already expecting to spend a lot of money. At least you should

Tip your caddie 25 to 50 percent of the caddie fee. You can improve your chances of getting a quality looper by tipping the caddie master 20 percent of the caddie fee also. That's just a general guideline, it may vary quite a bit depending on the club. Ask some of the others around the club if you get a chance.

[cougar978]

I played Runaway Bay in Jamaica three years ago - the two caddies that were with us were drinking and smoking herb the entire round - they were pretty cool though - I tipped mine $20.

[apex53]

played Spyglass and Pebble a year and a half ago, had the same caddie for both rounds... He was just fantastic: great yardages, excellent at reading greens, told funny stories, etc... Tipped him $100 each round... Maybe a lot, but it was a dream golf trip for me and he helped me around enough that I shot 77 at Spyglass and 78 at Pebble...

[wrx_junki]

I work part time as a caddy for a country club and the general going rate for a caddy is $60/bag and $30/putter.

[Pinseeker81]

It's best to come up on them when they're sleeping. Try pushing from behind so they just fall right over.

[wannabe]

in lieu of money, i tend to offer my caddies total consciousness, on their deathbeds, of course.

[Three Putt]

  wannabe said:

in lieu of money, i tend to offer my caddies total consciousness, on their deathbeds, of course.

So they got that going for them......which...is nice.

[bcp]

LOL- I had that same experience in Jamaica about 10 years ago. I gave my guy $10 and my East Carolina hat.

[imtomtomim]

  Pinseeker81 said:

It's best to come up on them when they're sleeping. Try pushing from behind so they just fall right over.

or get your buddy on all fours behind his knees

[youngskip40]

I caddied at a nice private club back in high school, and the club said the charge for a caddie is $35 plus tip, per bag. On average, I'd get $60 a bag total.

Based on that, 25% of the caddie fee is not a very good tip. I'd say it's more like caddie fee plus 25% of the greens fee, if you're satisfied.

That said, depends on the course and what the going rate is. If you're in doubt, ask the caddymaster or one of the pros. Don't ask one of the caddies, and don't ask the caddy that is carrying your bag "what do you usually get for a loop." It's bad taste and puts them in an awkward position.

[cougar978]

  bcp said:

LOL- I had that same experience in Jamaica about 10 years ago. I gave my guy $10 and my East Carolina hat.

The crazy thing about Runaway Bay is that it seems that all the caddies and maintenance crew do there is cruise around the course, drink Red Stripe, and smoke weed, but the course is really good shape - I wonder if that approach would work in the States.

[VOX]

I always just ask the caddy master or my host what the normal range is. It often differs by the "rating" of the caddy (Jr, A, B).

[kingofcars08]

Im currently a veteran caddie right now at world class course. If your caddie was ok, give him a $100 bill and he will be very happy. If he was a great caddie, give him $100 for each bag. My regular requests give me $100+/bag, but randoms usually range between $30-80/bag, depending on how generous they are. Some guys just dont tip well and will give $15-20/bag, and its slightly insulting. Hope this helps.

[wrx_junki]

  kingofcars08 said:

Im currently a veteran caddie right now at world class course. If your caddie was ok, give him a $100 bill and he will be very happy. If he was a great caddie, give him $100 for each bag. My regular requests give me $100+/bag, but randoms usually range between $30-80/bag, depending on how generous they are. Some guys just dont tip well and will give $15-20/bag, and its slightly insulting. Hope this helps.

Do you work purely off tips?

[201-pb]

I too caddy at a high class course, and yes we only work for tips, there is no salary. So if a caddie gets out once thats it, if he gets out twice hes lucky depending on the course. Some courses I ahve heard of requiring a caddie fee for experienced or "A" caddies.

[kingofcars08]

Caddies work almost purely on tips, but there is a small bonus for the bag as well ($15-20). Ill tell you what the best strategy to ensure you have an awesome time. (From personal experience) Sometime between the driving range/putting green and the 1st tee, slip the caddie $40-50, and tell him to take care your boys. Then, watch him throughout the round, and if he slacks off, only give him another $20, but if you are all having a great time and he is a informative, fun, good caddie then after the round hook him up with as much as youd like. =) We want you guys to shoot low and have fun.

[dmc]

I havn't been many places that have a caddie program. But when I have had a caddie I paid him $100. Ive only used a caddie 4 times in the last few years and it was always a treat for me. Everytime they were college age kids and I felt was worth the money.