Guide · Golf
How much to tip a caddie
The ranges golf writers give, side by side, when to hand it over, and who to ask before you tee off.
In this guide
The short answer
Ask the caddie master or the pro shop what's normal at that course before you go out. Published guidance ranges from about 20% of the caddie fee for good service to $100 or more a player at high-end courses. Tip on the 18th green or after your clubs are back at the bag drop.
What golf writers suggest
| Who | Source says | Typical tip |
|---|---|---|
| Caddie | Golf.com, 2019 | About 20% of the caddie fee for good service2 |
| Caddie | Golf.com, 2018 | $20 flat, or 20% to 50% of the caddie fee3 |
| Caddie | Golf News Net, 2026 | Close to $100 a player; at least $100 at high-end courses1 |
| Forecaddie | Golf.com, 2018 | At least $25 above the stated fee3 |
| Forecaddie | Golf News Net, 2026 | $50 to $100 a player1 |
- Caddie Golf.com, 2019
- About 20% of the caddie fee for good service2
- Caddie Golf.com, 2018
- $20 flat, or 20% to 50% of the caddie fee3
- Caddie Golf News Net, 2026
- Close to $100 a player; at least $100 at high-end courses1
- Forecaddie Golf.com, 2018
- At least $25 above the stated fee3
- Forecaddie Golf News Net, 2026
- $50 to $100 a player1
The ranges differ by course and by year. The caddie master's answer beats any table.
Ask before you tee off
Golf.com's Josh Sens puts it simply: talk to the caddie master or someone in the pro shop, and they'll tell you the rates and the standard tip. Don't put payment questions to your caddie directly.
Courses differ a lot. A resort with a set caddie fee and a private club with a long caddie program can have very different norms.
When to tip
You can wait until your caddie has cleaned your clubs and brought them to the bag drop, but Sens says it's perfectly fine, even better, to hand it over on the 18th green.
Caddie or forecaddie
A caddie carries your bag. A forecaddie looks after the whole group, reading lines and finding balls, while players ride or carry. Each player usually tips a forecaddie separately; the ranges above are per player.
Tipping a caddie without cash
Caddie tips are bigger than most, and not everyone brings that much cash to the course. Ask whether the club adds caddie tips to your bill.
With ENVO, a caddie carries their own code. Caddie tip pages start at $20, $40 and $80, and each caddie can change those starting amounts. You tip with Apple Pay, Google Pay or a card, and the caddie receives 100% of the tip.
Questions
Do you tip a caddie on top of the caddie fee?
Yes. The fee pays for the caddie; the tip is extra. Guidance runs from about 20% of the fee to $100 or more a player, so ask the caddie master.
When do you tip a caddie?
On the 18th green, or after your clubs are cleaned and back at the bag drop. Golf.com says the 18th green is perfectly fine.
How much do you tip a forecaddie?
Golf.com's 2018 guide says at least $25 above the stated fee; The Golf News Net says $50 to $100 a player. Each player usually tips separately.
Can I tip a caddie with a card?
Ask whether the club adds caddie tips to your bill. With ENVO, you scan the caddie's code and tip with Apple Pay, Google Pay or a card.