Caddie etiquette?

[hardcaliber]

I'll be using a caddie for the first time in a few weeks.  I always ride a cart and usually knock it around whatever muni will let me on.  This time my friends and  I decided to splurge for a fancy round at a course with no carts and I figured I would complete the experience by using a caddie. A few points of etiquette i'm wondering about if anyone would be so kind as to help me out.

 

1.  What is a standard tip percentage?

2. Is it a faux pas that I have a largish cart bag (C130) and not a carry bag?

3. Is there a proper amount of small talk necessary?

 

Anything else to be aware of?

[North Butte]

I'm never a good job of tipping but I wouldn't think of it as a percentage. Percentage of what, the caddie fee? Green fee? It's been years since I last used a caddie but I tended to give them $60 if they were double-bagging and $100 if it was single. The last time I can recall using a caddie (maybe 8-9 years ago?) it was at a private club and the member who was hosting me suggested I tip the caddie $100 (for single bagging) so apparently that is in the expected ballpark. 

 

I personally don't own any big golf bags so I've never had a caddie switch my clubs out but usually they will put your clubs and stuff in a carry bag rather than tote a huge, oversized cart or staff bag. They're used to having to do that. 

 

There's not really any general principle about small talk. I've always tried to keep it to the same level of light, occasional mostly golf-related banter as I would exchange with one of the other guys I'm playing with. I always used to dread getting one of those caddies who feel like it's their job to be an entertainer or comedian for 4 straight hours.

 

My best ever caddie experience was at a resort course. It was a 36 hole day and after playing in a morning foursome with two double-bagging caddies I went back out in the afternoon for a solo round. Just me and one of the caddies. He asked on the first tee, "How do you want me to do this? Take it easy or keep moving". I was like "Fast. Please."

 

We started walking and before we got to the ball he'd hand me a club and say something like "Keep it left of the bunker" or "Right half of the green" and I'd take the club, line up at the target and hit without even thinking. It was amazing. We played through a couple of groups and finished in 2-1/2 hours including a stop for snacks (my treat) at the turn. I hit a lot of good shots, mostly kept the ball out of trouble, and played to better than my handicap. 

 

I gave him $120 for that round.

[Ferguson]

4 hours ago, hardcaliber said:

I'll be using a caddie for the first time in a few weeks.  I always ride a cart and usually knock it around whatever muni will let me on.  This time my friends and  I decided to splurge for a fancy round at a course with no carts and I figured I would complete the experience by using a caddie. A few points of etiquette i'm wondering about if anyone would be so kind as to help me out.

 

1.  What is a standard tip percentage?

2. Is it a faux pas that I have a largish cart bag (C130) and not a carry bag?

3. Is there a proper amount of small talk necessary?

 

Anything else to be aware of?

 

 

1. 50-100

2. bag doesn't matter

3. up to you 

 

Enjoy yourself.  Don't touch your bag.  Ask for what you need. He or she will handle things.

 

[hardcaliber]

Thanks for the advice so far!

 

So not to sound like a tight wad, but the caddie fee is 140 USD.  Extra 100 tip on top of that is more than i was expecting but if that's the ball park then so be it.  This is probably going to be a once a year splurge for me maybe if that but I kind of want to look like I've done it before!

[North Butte]

2 minutes ago, hardcaliber said:

Thanks for the advice so far!

 

So not to sound like a tight wad, but the caddie fee is 140 USD.  Extra 100 tip on top of that is more than i was expecting but if that's the ball park then so be it.  This is probably going to be a once a year splurge for me maybe if that but I kind of want to look like I've done it before!

OK, that's a different matter. I was thinking in terms of resort courses where the caddie fee was bundled. 

 

I may be out of touch with how expensive things are nowadays but if you're paying a separate $140 caddie fee and they are double bagging (almost always) then they're getting paid pretty decently. I'd just add some nominal amount like 40 bucks or so, assuming they do a good job. 

 

If they happen to be single bagging I might be willing to throw in 50 or 60 instead. But outside of high-end private clubs I think single bagging caddies are a thing of the past.

[ND2005]

If you're paying a 140 caddie fee, the tip is a small/nominal gratuity on top of that depending on level of service. I agree maybe 40 or 50 depending on how good a job they do. 

 

Big bag is a faux pas, but most courses with a caddie program will have walking bags. 

 

Small talk - I think that's more on the caddie than you. A good caddie should feel out how chatty or business like you want to be and adapt accordingly. 

 

Offer to buy drinks or snacks for them at the turn. 

 

Also it helps to talk about your expectations at the beginning of the round. Do you want reads on every putt - or will you tell the caddie when you need help? When you ask for a yardage are you asking for a "hit it this far" or a true distance number? Do you want other advice such as club selection off the tee or do you want to just play your game. 

[david.c.w]

I have had a caddie a decent number of times.  To me $140 seems a little steep to expect too much on top of that.  Call the course, ask for the caddie master and ask him what is customary.  He will be honest with you. 

 

You can bring a big bag but there is a 99.9% chance the caddie will swap it out with a carry bag, unless you make a stink about it.  Especially if they are double bagging.  Either way, take anything extra out of the bag.  Don't bring 3 dozen balls, an extra pair of shoes and your 25 year collection of metal ball markers.  Make it light for them.  I imagine in a bag called "C130" you can collect lots of items.  We had a caddie one time say "I don't mind carrying the liter of fireball, but get these balls out of here"  We had to tell him that all those balls might be needed.  I think we distributed extra balls amongst the other 3 players bags.

 

Caddies are a rare breed of people.  They have great stories of people and golfers and strippers and trips and weekday benders.  100% engage with them, that is part of the overall experience.

Edited May 13, 2022 by david.c.w

[jvincent]

@hardcaliber 

 

1. The caddie master / proshop will give you an idea of how much to tip. Just ask them.

 

2. Cart bags are a no-go. They will definitely swap it out for a light carry bag. Especially if they are double bagging. 

 

3. Varies from caddie to caddie. Some are chatty, some are quiet. Most good ones will read how much / little you want to talk and adapt as required. 

[Abh159]

I'll echo what the past few people have said and agree that the best thing to do is call the course or caddie master beforehand and ask what the suggested tip is. They'll always tell you what is expected/normal. That being said... $140 is one of the highest caddies fees I've ever heard of. You might want to inquire a bit more about that. Single bag? Double bag? 

 

I've never once met a caddie willing to carry a cart bag. They'll probably swap it out for something lighter, but on the off chance they do carry that monstrosity I would double or triple whatever you were planning on tipping them.

 

A good caddie is alike a good uber driver. They'll be chatty if you are, or they'll be quiet if you're quiet. 

[VNutz]

$140 is steep for a caddie fee IMO, and also since the course is telling you that, my assumption is that money is going directly to them and they're taking a cut and unfortunately not giving it all to the caddie. I'd call the pro and ask what the policy is and what's recommended/standard. But for that type of price I would also assume they'll be giving a high level of assistance (reads, advice, etc.) during the round and not simply keeping up and shutting up. Some courses seem to encourage banter between caddie and player where others can be different, it's your call IMO to make conversation between somebody you'll be with for 3-5 hours. As a kid I handled my share of cart and staff bags, but that was before stand bags became the norm. Most courses I've been to will have a caddie master pick up each bag by hand and determine if they need to be swapped out with a replacement "house" bag.

[krtgolfing]

1 hour ago, hardcaliber said:

Thanks for the advice so far!

 

So not to sound like a tight wad, but the caddie fee is 140 USD.  Extra 100 tip on top of that is more than i was expecting but if that's the ball park then so be it.  This is probably going to be a once a year splurge for me maybe if that but I kind of want to look like I've done it before!

 

Best bet would be to call the course and see what the recommend for a tip. The pro shop will be taking a cut of that fee. I would guess about $50.00.

[Schulzmc]

Helpful tip = you should find/borrow a small carry bag and show up with that instead of your cart bag. I promise you the most experienced caddie in the group will make a beeline for you and your bag if you do. If there is one caddie that has to swap out your stuff into a carry bag, it is always going to be the new caddie in the group getting stuck with that. 

 

Also - don’t try and impress your caddie with your game. I promise they have caddied for someone a lot better than you, and for a lot of people who are a lot worse. They don’t care how you play as long as you are polite, don’t try and find balls in ridiculous places, and keep pace.

Edited May 13, 2022 by Schulzmc

[Wham49]

I know the big places where I am from have a limit on your bag. Erin Hills for instance only allow a certain weight if you go over they have a bag the caddy uses and you put your clubs in it

[pingfool]

You have plenty of advice. One more: when caddies tells you to hit 6 when you think you should hit 7 - listen!

[Schulzmc]

One more - if you have never seen "Looper: The Caddie's Long Walk" watch it before your first round with a caddie. It will give you a great appreciation for one of the world's oldest professions. 

[2bGood]

As others have said $140 is on the high side for a caddie. Typically that all goes into the caddies pocket. No need for a big tip at that price.

 

Few tips

- offer to cover any food on beverage for the caddie on the course, this customary 

-If you want the full experience ask you caddie the correct questions, What is you BEST caddie story, who was the WORST golfer you ever caddied for, did you ever fire a golfer for being a jerk?, What famous people did you caddie for, how drunk have you seen a golfer, what was the craziest thing you have seen happen at the course. Typically if they know you are interested in colourful stories they will have a good ones. 

 

[Schulzmc]

Agree with the above - listen to your caddie! Playing Pinehurst #2 I had a nine iron into the 18th green. Pin is on the right, and I need a birdie to close out the match with my friends. Caddie says, "aim for the middle of the green." I remind him I need a birdie, and he says again, "aim for the middle of the green." I decide to listen to him, and despite the fact that I am aiming for the middle I push the shot right and it ends up 5 ft. from the flag. I'm not sure how to react, and as I hand him my club he says quietly, "You missed your nine iron to the right on #3, #7, and #13..."

[SouthBayGolfer]

This thread makes me miss being a caddie a tiny bit. If the club is like my former one, there will be minimum tip amounts, be sure to tip a little over that. I hope the caddie swaps your bag out, when I was starting out I was too nervous to do that and messed my shoulder up on a double bag after a long morning. Follow their advice on putts and course knowledge. 

[NewToGolf19]

$20 was a nice tip when I caddied 20 years ago. Whatever that is now adjusted for inflation seems reasonable.

 

Please swap out your bag before arriving. It makes you look like a novice or completely inconsiderate to show up with a big or heavy bag. Plus, who wants to dig through your bag and decide what to transfer to the carry bag. 
 

Don’t request a single caddy. Usually just the new or very old ones carry a single bag. Any halfway decent caddy can handle two bags.

 

As for personal interactions, just be a friendly person and treat them accordingly.

 

have fun and enjoy!

[buckrogers71]

When I played Pinehurst #2 the fee was $75 each for a double bag (they use a service) I have a friend that caddies at a very very exclusive club here on the east coast, and i asked him what a decent tip would be considering the fee they already charge and he said between $30-$60 depending on the service. I was very sorry to say that this caddy only received $30, call me cheap, but head covers not on clubs, literally no advice, no banter and hearing about his personal life, left me with a sour taste.

 

That being said, it was really cool to have someone carry your bag and go for a "stroll"

[monty09]

whatever they suggest.... add $20-$40 on top.. if the guy is a rock star and does a great job... double it....   caddies are trying to make money too.....  I dont have a set amount i tip but generally the suggested is my floor - if someone does a great job - im happy to show the love..  

 

the $140 could be a double bag fee and split down the middle...  ask for details...  

[Pepperturbo]

Tipping amount depends on the player's resources.   I don't use a caddy for advice, just carry and that = $50-$100.  If he's a good stick and really knows the course's tricks, I up the tip. 

[Augster]

$100 tip. 
 

$25 per hour to carry your bag and watch you play awful golf with your horrible swing. 
 

It’s not fair compensation, but it’s a start. 🙂

[larrybud]

hoochie mama, didn't know caddies were so expensive. For $140+ tip I'm going to go buy my own carry bag and lug it around myself! lol

[mshills]

19 hours ago, SouthBayGolfer said:

This thread makes me miss being a caddie a tiny bit. 

Same. I have had a pretty nice career and I like my job, but caddying was the most fun I ever had making money. I absolutely loved it. 

[Hawkeye77]

I think taking a cart bag and expecting a caddie to tote it around is a little unreasonable, and no tip is making up for that, IMO. 
 

Based on price and what the other guys are doing, unless it’s Pebble, etc., skip the caddy. 

[MrFlipper]

Take the caddy.

 

This is as close as you get to pure golf in your life. Enjoy it. Just follow his lead.

[charli]

Are you sure it’s $140? I’ve never heard of a caddie fee being that high. Maybe $140 for the day between two bags that Seems to make a bit more sense. Then you’d tip accordingly. Also the bag… if he’s carrying two bags bring something smaller. One bag isn’t a big deal but I’d still bring a carry bag 

Edited May 18, 2022 by charli

[Tmiller72]

$140 for the caddie on top of the greens fee?  That's steep.  Not sure you need to throw any extra on top of that.  Pinehurst Resort charges $75 for a caddie and suggests a $50 tip.  But you can always ask the head pro what to do.  If you bring your cart bag, there's a good chance they'll swap it for a carry bag.

[MountainKing]

Pebble is $150 for a single caddie, they have tip suggestions, so this might be a good place to start for an idea of what to tip:

 

https://www.pebblebeach.com/golf/caddie-services/

 

I would always error on the high end, don't be cheap, especially if you're not a great golfer.  If you're not willing to dish out, then don't take a caddie!