In the beginning, there was golf. And it was low-frills: just a bunch of Scottish shepherds, whacking balls on rough-hewn seaside courses.
But then the game got fancy, adding amenities and staffing, and soon it came to pass that there were beverage carts and turn stands and valets and starters and employees enlisted to wipe down clubs and shoes.
And lo, golfers wondered: Do we need to tip these people? If so, how much?
To this day, no stone-tablet commandments have been handed down, but general guidelines have emerged, and they go as follows:
Bag drop/valet
Thou might be tempted to blow straight past these people, piloting your vehicle to the self-park area and hauling your own clubs from your trunk. This impulse is understandable. But to act on it is poor form. Let these folks do their jobs. In the old days, pre-inflation, a few singles or a five-spot was sufficient. And you could probably still get away with that without being judged harshly from above, especially at a modestly priced public-access course. But at posher properties, given today’s economy, consider at least $10 or $20, especially if you’re playing as a guest at someone else’s club.
Locker room attendant
This depends on the service rendered. In some instances, the locker room attendant will simply wave as you walk by. No tipping required. But if they help set up your locker, buff up your shoes, leave your favorite cocktail for you as you come in from your round, it’s a different story. We suggest a minimum of $20, but no harm done for going higher.
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The starter
There is an age-old tradition of slipping a few bills to the starter in exchange for favorable treatment, such as squeezing you into the flow of play. But that’s not so much tipping as it is bribery, with its own set of economic rules. Under normal circumstances, there is no need to give the starter a gratuity — though you might consider paying him or her as a form of hush money to keep them from giving you a painfully lengthy pre-round spiel.
Turn stand/halfway house
Treat these like the cafes/take-out counters that they are. A few bucks should do the trick, and a few more if you order a high-maintenance cocktail.
Beverage cart
See above. And if you’re feeling especially generous, hold off on any flirtatious behavior. Everyone will thank you.
Caddie/forecaddie
If a caddie’s job is to keep up and shut up, your job is to tip them a minimum of 20 percent of their base fee. At private clubs, it’s worth asking your host or the caddie master about local tipping customs so you can get in the right ballpark. Just as you don’t want to come across as stingy, you should also be wary not to over-tip. That’s a real thing, and it’s frowned upon at some places.
Club cleaning/towel service
As with the bag drop and valet, you may not want or need this service. But there it is. And here you are, with an implicit obligation to take part in the system. Depending on the property, a few bucks might suffice. But at a high-end resort course, $10 to $20 would not be out of line.