Golf Caddy Tip Calculator

How Much to Tip a Golf Caddy?

For most rounds, tip your golf caddy $40 to $60 per bag for 18 holes. At private country clubs the standard rises to $60 to $100+ per bag, and at prestigious resort courses like Pebble Beach it is common to tip $100 to $150 or more. Caddies rely on tips as the main income from their work, so the gratuity is expected on top of any caddy fee the course charges.

Use the calculator above to pick a per-bag amount, then split it across your group if you are sharing a forecaddie.

Golf Caddy Tipping Standards (Per Bag, 18 Holes)

• Standard public course: $20-40 per bag
• Upscale daily-fee course: $40-60 per bag
• Private country club: $60-100+ per bag
• Resort or destination course: $50-100+ per bag
• Prestigious courses (Pebble Beach, Pinehurst, etc.): $100-150+ per bag
• 9 holes: 50-60% of the 18-hole rate
• Forecaddie (one caddie for the group): $20-40 per player

These are tip amounts only. The caddy fee printed on your bill goes to the club or the caddie pool, not directly into your caddie’s pocket, so the tip is always separate.

Worked Examples

A few quick examples so you know what to hand over at the end of the round:

• Single bag at a public course: a $40 tip is a solid, appreciated amount for good service.
• Foursome at a private club, single caddie each: plan on roughly $80-100 per player to your own caddie.
• Foursome sharing one forecaddie: tip $20-40 per player, so the forecaddie collects $80-160 total from the group.
• Pebble Beach or a bucket-list round: $100-150 per bag is the norm, and more for an exceptional caddie who reads greens and manages pace well.

How Much to Tip a Forecaddie

A forecaddie works the whole group rather than carrying a single bag, spotting balls, raking bunkers, and tending the pins. The standard is $20 to $40 per player, collected from everyone in the group. For a foursome that totals $80 to $160. Tip toward the top of that range on difficult courses, in poor weather, or when the forecaddie noticeably speeds up your round.

Charity Golf Outing Caddie Tips

Charity scrambles and member-guest events often provide caddies or forecaddies, and the etiquette is the same as a regular round: $20 to $40 per player for a shared forecaddie, or $40-60+ per bag if each player has their own caddie. Ask the organizer or pro shop whether tips are pre-collected in the entry fee. If they are not, bring cash so every caddie is taken care of at the turn or after the 18th.

Factors That Affect Your Caddie Tip

• Performance: Reward sharp green reading, smart club selection, and good pace management with a larger tip.
• Weather: Tip more for a caddie who works through rain, heat, or wind.
• Course difficulty: Hilly, long, or walking-only courses warrant higher tips.
• Double bags: If your caddie carries two bags, tip for both. Some players pay 1.5x rather than a full 2x, but full tips for both bags is most appreciated.
• Group size and tournament play: Competitive rounds and important events often justify a premium.

Caddie Tipping Etiquette

• Cash only. Always tip caddies in cash, handed over directly after the round.
• Tip is separate from the fee. The club fee is not a tip.
• Never pre-tip. Base the amount on the service you actually received.
• Don’t skimp on a bad round. A poor score is on you, not the caddie, who still provided full service.
• Ask if you are unsure. The pro shop can tell you the typical caddie tip range for that specific course.
• Reward great service. For an outstanding caddie, tip at the high end of the range or above it.