Golf Tipping on Memberships

[ZEUS]

I wanted to get your opinion on my situation. I just started playing golf this year and wanted to have a very active winter. ( game needs work) I became a member at a upscale range. Its a premium membership that allows unlimited range balls from a "Executive Suite" with Tv, Bar, Etc... It cost 120 a month. My question being, I with that get a free 30min lesson every month. I read that it is not necessary to give a tip to a Golf Pro for the lesson. But it is so when you are not paying for it separately. although I am paying for it with my monthly membership. What if I have some lessons without the Head Pro and have it with one of the regular pro. Its not that I want to short change anyone that isnt my style I just want to do the right thing. ( My short game isnt that good. I kid I kid) I have read many threads on this but wasnt able to get a clear answer that satisfifed me. What are some of your thoughts?

[DavidFehertysBike]

Tipping a pro for a lesson has never occured to me. I have only had one, but ive never tipped him. (he doesnt charge me for lessons anymore) So I dont think its expected.

[NormH3]

bout half way down the page.

http://www.findalink.net/tippingetiquette.php

[Golf'nBiker]

Seems to me that the 'free' lesson IS part of the membership dues. those lessons, regardless who conducts them are the persons job...he already gets paid and might take offense is you do try to tip him. Let him give you the tips! As you had just joined, relax a bit and get a feel for the environment of the place.

[deronsizemore]

I wanted to get your opinion on my situation. I just started playing golf this year and wanted to have a very active winter. ( game needs work) I became a member at a upscale range. Its a premium membership that allows unlimited range balls from a "Executive Suite" with Tv, Bar, Etc... It cost 120 a month. My question being, I with that get a free 30min lesson every month. I read that it is not necessary to give a tip to a Golf Pro for the lesson. But it is so when you are not paying for it separately. although I am paying for it with my monthly membership. What if I have some lessons without the Head Pro and have it with one of the regular pro. Its not that I want to short change anyone that isnt my style I just want to do the right thing. ( My short game isnt that good.

I wouldn't tip them since you're technically paying for the lesson in your monthly dues. Now, if you're working with that pro and he ends up staying with you for a couple hours instead of the normal 30 minutes, a tip is probably in order.

This place sound nice. So, in the "executive suite," do you hit into a net or actually out into a range where you can see the flight? Pics?

[ZEUS]

I wouldn't tip them since you're technically paying for the lesson in your monthly dues. Now, if you're working with that pro and he ends up staying with you for a couple hours instead of the normal 30 minutes, a tip is probably in order.

Its actually a heated 300 yard range with holes at 25 75 100 150 175 200 250 markers.

What it is is a lounge for members can come to hang out watch a game have a few drinks. you have leather couches I counted 8 personal bays. ( a rooftop for summer hitting. Members can get up and play anytime they want. I thought it was pretty neat, they keep it really warm and I can play 365 days a year. :) http://topgolf.com/PGData/1/12/64/TGin1.jpg http://topgolf.com/PGData/1/12/64/TGin3.jpg

[deronsizemore]

Its actually a heated 300 yard range with holes at 25 75 100 150 175 200 250 markers.

My gosh, that is awesome! There's a range here with heated stalls but it's all outdoors and the heater is above your head so it's not THAT warm. I would definitely join a place like that to keep my game sharp. If I had the means, would love to open a place like that.

So, did I understand you correctly that the whole 300 yard range is heated or just the part where the bays are? Seems like it could be a little distracting (nothing I couldn't overlook) to have a bar type atmosphere behind you while you're hitting? Seems like it could get a little chilly for those hanging out watching a game or having a drink from the open bay doors? Need to talk my wife into moving to Chicago!

[ctyankee]

I wouldn't tip them since you're technically paying for the lesson in your monthly dues. Now, if you're working with that pro and he ends up staying with you for a couple hours instead of the normal 30 minutes, a tip is probably in order.

Agreed. No self-respecting golf pro by me would accept a tip just for doing his job. Tips are for support staff and (even then) many places only pool money from members at the end of a season for that staff. Now, this is a club but not a traditional one so things may be done differently. That said, if he's giving you a 30 minute lesson and goes an hour-plus, you can always just pay him a bonus saying 'we went over the time I paid for.' Then he is just getting money for his time and won't be offended and you won't get embarrassed. If it's simply your appreciation and feel compelled to line his pockets, simply bet him on something (e.g. a golf wager). He will be happy and have money in his pocket. You might even have some fun in the process.

[ZEUS]

My gosh, that is awesome! There's a range here with heated stalls but it's all outdoors and the heater is above your head so it's not THAT warm. I would definitely join a place like that to keep my game sharp. If I had the means, would love to open a place like that.

Yes the whole range is heated. Winters in Chicago are not forgiving with snow so they would have to do it or they would have to shut the place down. Yeah but not overbearing it allows you to have a balance. I mean when my college buddies come with me it hasn't been a problem keeping them to stay away from the bar. ;) Most of which is because you have a host who takes orders so member never have to stand by bar with all the tables and seating available to enjoy the atmosphere. it hasn't been that cold so far but was there when it was 45 degrees out this weekend and was just wearing my polo cause it was so warm. members whom have been there last winter says you will never need more than a light jacket no matter how cold it is which was why i decided to take the membership. I plan on playing at least 3 times a week. Single= Freedom ;)

If you or anyone ever in the Chicago area feel free to let me know and you can join me.

[deronsizemore]

If you or anyone ever in the Chicago area feel free to let me know and you can join me.

I definitely will!

Yeah the covered/heated range here is nice but if it gets below about 40, it's not really worth it. Wish they would at least add another heater or two to where it's bearable.

[DavidFehertysBike]

Its actually a heated 300 yard range with holes at 25 75 100 150 175 200 250 markers.

That dude to the far left in the blue shirt is really fanning the face in both pictures..lol.

[walk18]

been there, the place is sweet. even though I hate mats, thats as good as they get.

[kpaulhus]

That is an asweome range. 120 a month is not bad at all. I hit probably 8 buckets a month so I could fork over the money for that kind of setup.

[inthecup]

At my club my family and I use a pro for lessons here and there. He bills at the end of the year. An 45 minute lesson is actually as long as it takes to figure it out.

I tip him at the end of the year. BUT, when we are on the range he will stop by now and then and help out and it is not considered a lesson, he just helps.

The 30 minute once a month lesson is a marketing tool to help the pro sell lessons. It is not necessary to tip.

[zrlaegel]

nice place too bad they dont haVE one like that in worcester

[RS22]

I've never tipped any of the pros I've gotten lessons from, but then again they all charged so much that it never occurred to me to give them more!

[Supermanwoot]

dude that place is BA. I would pay for that in a heartbeat, must be nice man and an amazing price!

And yeah mats suck but the turf range at my club has been getting absolutely torn up I basically cant find a decent place to hit a ball from lately within the ropes its pretty bad.

[DocWu1948]

Top Gun? Been there. Yes, they have like garage doors upstairs and you hit thru them. Downstairs, you are outside, under heaters. Not a member, so peons like me only get upstairs when it's open.

For those unfamiliar with Top Gun, you hit balls into landing zones with ball chutes, kind of like a big Skee Ball machine. Your balls contain microchips so Skynet knows where your ball landed, even if it sails across the fence and goes thru a car window. I suppose it's still like that? It can be quite fun, and more like real playing than just practice.






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