Hotel & travel tipping guide
Do you tip a golf caddie?
Yes — tipping caddies is expected in the U.S. Golf caddies are commonly tipped a minimum of 20% of the caddie fee, with private clubs and resorts often running higher.
Based on: GOLF.com, The Caddie Network
The short version
Yes — and caddie tipping runs higher than most services: golf publications put it at a percentage of the caddie fee, from a 20% floor at public courses to 30% or more at private and resort clubs, rather than a few dollars.
U.S. golf caddies are commonly tipped a minimum of 20% of the caddie fee, the same rule of thumb people use for restaurant service. Private clubs and resort courses often run higher: caddie programs describe about 30% for solid basic service and 40% or more for a caddie who read putts and helped with club selection, and at a private club GOLF.com's advice is to ask your host or the caddie master about local custom.
How it's normally handled
Tip as a percentage of the caddie fee, in cash, directly to the caddie at the end of the round. Private clubs and resort courses commonly run well above the baseline.
What people actually tip caddies
Typical U.S. range
20%–30% of the caddie fee
Most common
20% of the caddie fee
| Bill | most common20% | 30% |
|---|---|---|
| $25 | $5 | $7.50 |
| $50 | $10 | $15 |
| $75 | $15 | $22.50 |
| $100 | $20 | $30 |
| $150 | $30 | $45 |
When to go above the range
A caddie who read greens well, carried double, or worked through difficult weather or a long round.
Common mistakes when tipping caddies
- Treating the posted caddie fee as if it already included the tip
- Tipping the same at a private club as at a public course
- Paying by card at the pro shop and never tipping the caddie directly
Work out your own
How much should you tip a golf caddie?
Enter what you actually paid and see where each option lands against the 20%–30% of the caddie fee range — then pick the amount that feels right.
Calculate your tipFrequently asked
How much do you tip a golf caddie?+
In the U.S., golf caddies are commonly tipped a minimum of 20% of the caddie fee, with private clubs and resorts often running higher. The typical range is 20%–30% of the caddie fee, with 20% of the caddie fee the most common reference point.
Is it rude not to tip a golf caddie?+
Tipping caddies is the norm in the U.S. The usual range is 20%–30% of the caddie fee, but the final amount is still your decision.
When should you tip more than the usual range?+
A caddie who read greens well, carried double, or worked through difficult weather or a long round. In those situations people commonly go above 20% of the caddie fee.
When is the tip usually given?+
Tip as a percentage of the caddie fee, in cash, directly to the caddie at the end of the round. Private clubs and resort courses commonly run well above the baseline.
What do people most often get wrong when tipping caddies?+
Treating the posted caddie fee as if it already included the tip. Others include: tipping the same at a private club as at a public course; paying by card at the pro shop and never tipping the caddie directly.
How tippos thinks about it
tippos suggests entering the caddie fee, using the type of course to highlight a relevant percentage, and choosing what feels right for the round you had.
Sources
Ranges on this page come from these published guides. Sources reviewed .
- GOLF.com — A complete guide to tipping (and how much) at the golf course — Puts the caddie tip at a minimum of 20% of the base fee and, at private clubs, says to ask your host or the caddie master about local custom (May 2023).
- The Caddie Network — The definitive guide for tipping a caddie — A caddie-industry guide: about 30% of the fee for solid basic service, 40%–50% for a caddie who read putts and helped with club selection (July 2019).