[deaddog]

How much should I tip a caddy at Pebble Beach? The fee is $70/bag and they double loop so that is a 140 fee. So, assuming the guy does a good job, how big of a tip on top of the 140?
Thanks

[fpmdl3]

does good, 100 bucks

I am a caddy, and if i double and wasnt tipped 100 bucks, id be pretty disappointed

[chop180]

Wow 70% tip on top of $140 fee sounds kinda steep to me, and I think of myself as a good tipper. Question is how much of the fee does a caddie typically get? I would think they would get the larger share if not most of it. $200-240/day for a caddie. I'll take a cart use my sky caddie, and buy everyone beers. But that's just me.

[psygolf]

i think it would have depend on the caddie himself- did he just schlep your bag, or did he help work your game around the course. $50.00 tip per bag seems fair, unless after the experience you feel inclined to do more.

[j0npeterson]

chop180, on Oct 20 2007, 02:40 PM, said:

Wow 70% tip on top of $140 fee sounds kinda steep to me, and I think of myself as a good tipper. Question is how much of the fee does a caddie typically get? I would think they would get the larger share if not most of it. $200-240/day for a caddie. I'll take a cart use my sky caddie, and buy everyone beers. But that's just me.

I wasn't going to touch this topic, but caddying at Pebble isn't exactly the same type of service you'd get at your local Red Robin.

For one, to some, their knowledge of the course is invaluable. Plus, they do all the necessary things so you don't have to (fill and fix divots, rake bunkers, tend the pin, etc). They have some great stories too.

Expecting to give a caddy a 20% tip is not only not commonplace, but cheap.

It sounds harsh, but man... if you're playing Pebble, live it up. More importantly, pony up. If you're going to take a caddy, take one, but don't skimp on the tip.

I used to caddy as a teenager, and if I didn't get $50... I wasn't mad, but it was certainly the "going rate" as far as a tip goes.

[chop180]

I was in no way implying that 20% would be fair compensation, but it goes back to the original question of how much of the caddy fee is the caddy actually receiving. And I guess I somewhat miss read the second post, $100 for a double loop, yea I can easily see that and if I were at Pebble/St. Andrews/......really anywhere of that calibur, I would surely drop that for 36 holes. Would I drop $100 for 18 holes I doubt it.....$40-50 would seem appropriate.

[wkuo3]

sounds like I'll need to get a new job.
$200 extra for the caddy and tips per bag on top of the green fee. think I'll just get a cart.
Who do you think the avedrage golfer is? Donald Trump? I know he stuff his pocket with hundred dollar bills and tip generously, when he's in the mood.
I'll play other great golf courses.

[rl4673]

You can't be serious about a $100 tip on top of the $140 caddy fee. I am an excellent tipper, even when the service is horrible and there is ZERO chance I'd lay out that kind of smack for some dude carrying my bag and giving me my yardage. I've played Pebble enough on Tiger Woods golf that I wouldn't even need a caddy!

[wiedmayer]

j0npeterson, on Oct 20 2007, 05:52 PM, said:

chop180, on Oct 20 2007, 02:40 PM, said:

Wow 70% tip on top of $140 fee sounds kinda steep to me, and I think of myself as a good tipper. Question is how much of the fee does a caddie typically get? I would think they would get the larger share if not most of it. $200-240/day for a caddie. I'll take a cart use my sky caddie, and buy everyone beers. But that's just me.

I wasn't going to touch this topic, but caddying at Pebble isn't exactly the same type of service you'd get at your local Red Robin.

For one, to some, their knowledge of the course is invaluable. Plus, they do all the necessary things so you don't have to (fill and fix divots, rake bunkers, tend the pin, etc). They have some great stories too.

Expecting to give a caddy a 20% tip is not only not commonplace, but cheap.

It sounds harsh, but man... if you're playing Pebble, live it up. More importantly, pony up. If you're going to take a caddy, take one, but don't skimp on the tip.

I used to caddy as a teenager, and if I didn't get $50... I wasn't mad, but it was certainly the "going rate" as far as a tip goes.

Well put! I hate how people are so cheap at times! I am a college kid and whenever we play somewhere that there is cart attendants I throw them a 5. When I play with my father he refuses to give them anymore than a dollar per bag(so I am forced to tip the bag kid while he pays for college). Come on people! Your playing pebble beach and if you cant imagine tipping at least one franklin...do not play.

[wkuo3]

It sounds harsh, but man... if you're playing Pebble, live it up. More importantly, pony up. If you're going to take a caddy, take one, but don't skimp on the tip.

I used to caddy as a teenager, and if I didn't get $50... I wasn't mad, but it was certainly the "going rate" as far as a tip goes.
[/quote]
Well put! I hate how people are so cheap at times! I am a college kid and whenever we play somewhere that there is cart attendants I throw them a 5. When I play with my father he refuses to give them anymore than a dollar per bag(so I am forced to tip the bag kid while he pays for college). Come on people! Your playing pebble beach and if you cant imagine tipping at least one franklin...do not play.
[/quote]

Perhaps your father is paying for your bills and he knows when and what is appropriate.
Do you seriously think a caddy deserves a tip like that from a recreational golfer?
If you're providing such important and deserving services, maybe you should loop for a PGA pro.
Or do you believe you deserve a bigger tip simply because the green fees are high at Pebble?

[rl4673]

wiedmayer, on Oct 20 2007, 10:51 PM, said:

j0npeterson, on Oct 20 2007, 05:52 PM, said:

chop180, on Oct 20 2007, 02:40 PM, said:

Wow 70% tip on top of $140 fee sounds kinda steep to me, and I think of myself as a good tipper. Question is how much of the fee does a caddie typically get? I would think they would get the larger share if not most of it. $200-240/day for a caddie. I'll take a cart use my sky caddie, and buy everyone beers. But that's just me.

I wasn't going to touch this topic, but caddying at Pebble isn't exactly the same type of service you'd get at your local Red Robin.

For one, to some, their knowledge of the course is invaluable. Plus, they do all the necessary things so you don't have to (fill and fix divots, rake bunkers, tend the pin, etc). They have some great stories too.

Expecting to give a caddy a 20% tip is not only not commonplace, but cheap.

It sounds harsh, but man... if you're playing Pebble, live it up. More importantly, pony up. If you're going to take a caddy, take one, but don't skimp on the tip.

I used to caddy as a teenager, and if I didn't get $50... I wasn't mad, but it was certainly the "going rate" as far as a tip goes.

Well put! I hate how people are so cheap at times! I am a college kid and whenever we play somewhere that there is cart attendants I throw them a 5. When I play with my father he refuses to give them anymore than a dollar per bag(so I am forced to tip the bag kid while he pays for college). Come on people! Your playing pebble beach and if you cant imagine tipping at least one franklin...do not play.

Cheap? I'm not cheap at all. Making that kind of scratch every day would put that "kid" in a higher tax bracket. Your father, at least, has enough sense to know when a tip is appropriate. I don't ever plan on playing Pebble but if I did and I had to shell out that kind of money for a caddie, I'd just as soon carry the bag myself.

[nickc445]

I tipped $75 and apologized to my caddie at Pebble. For a once in a lifetime trip, plus the job that caddy did helping me break 80.... it was well worth every penny & then some.

You only live once.

[Tuckers Dad]

Does the caddy pack thebag or ride the back off the cart?

[banistr]

$100 tip for a "DOUBLE BAG" is too much. The caddy isnt able too give one person his whole attention..I personnaly would rather carry my own bag than have a caddie with a double bag....there is nothing worse than standing across the fairaway waiting for your club!!

[tpariff]

Let me give you my take on the caddies at Pebble. I played there in November 2005. They double loop which SUCKS plain and simple. First, they force you to take your clubs out of your bag, even if it's a lightweight stand bag, and they put them in a bag which is not much bigger than a Sunday bag. You can take some balls and some other accessories, but they for damn sure don't want you taking too much stuff. As you know the weather can change pretty quickly at PB, so don't expect them to be too happy if you want to take an umbrella, rain jacket and sweater.

After you get past that, you have to deal with the caddy carrying both bags, which means you WILL be running around the course chasing your clubs unless the other player sharing your caddy is comparable in skill level, distance, etc. In my only experience with a PB caddy, I found myself chasing after my clubs and utilizing the other caddy to clean my ball and offer advice on the greens while "my" caddy raked bunkers, chased down errant shots for the other player, etc.

Anyway, after the round I felt like I should have tipped the OTHER caddy and not my guy. Granted it wasn't my caddy's fault (for the most part), but rather the system they have which basically requires double looping. I tipped my guy $40 or $50. The way I figure it, he made $80 or $100 in tips, plus his cut of the $140 for double looping. Let's say he gets 70% of the fee, so that's almost $100. Therefore, in the 5 hours it took to play, he made $180 to $200, or $36 to $40 per hour. Let's say the caddy does one trip around PB every day, 5 days a week...he makes $900 to $1,000 per week give or take. That's a pretty damn good part time job if you ask me.

My wife was a teacher for 11 years and when she quit to stay home with our daughter, she was making $34,000 per year working full time. She had a college education and was responsible for training the youth of tomorrow. So please don't tell me that a caddy "deserves" more than $1,000 a week to carry a golf bag, rake some sand, clean some golf balls, and kiss some arse.

[illinikyle]

Just ask yourself...what would Smails do?

The world needs ditch diggers too.

[wiedmayer]

rl4673, on Oct 20 2007, 11:17 PM, said:

wiedmayer, on Oct 20 2007, 10:51 PM, said:

j0npeterson, on Oct 20 2007, 05:52 PM, said:

chop180, on Oct 20 2007, 02:40 PM, said:

Wow 70% tip on top of $140 fee sounds kinda steep to me, and I think of myself as a good tipper. Question is how much of the fee does a caddie typically get? I would think they would get the larger share if not most of it. $200-240/day for a caddie. I'll take a cart use my sky caddie, and buy everyone beers. But that's just me.

I wasn't going to touch this topic, but caddying at Pebble isn't exactly the same type of service you'd get at your local Red Robin.

For one, to some, their knowledge of the course is invaluable. Plus, they do all the necessary things so you don't have to (fill and fix divots, rake bunkers, tend the pin, etc). They have some great stories too.

Expecting to give a caddy a 20% tip is not only not commonplace, but cheap.

It sounds harsh, but man... if you're playing Pebble, live it up. More importantly, pony up. If you're going to take a caddy, take one, but don't skimp on the tip.

I used to caddy as a teenager, and if I didn't get $50... I wasn't mad, but it was certainly the "going rate" as far as a tip goes.

Well put! I hate how people are so cheap at times! I am a college kid and whenever we play somewhere that there is cart attendants I throw them a 5. When I play with my father he refuses to give them anymore than a dollar per bag(so I am forced to tip the bag kid while he pays for college). Come on people! Your playing pebble beach and if you cant imagine tipping at least one franklin...do not play.

Cheap? I'm not cheap at all. Making that kind of scratch every day would put that "kid" in a higher tax bracket. Your father, at least, has enough sense to know when a tip is appropriate. I don't ever plan on playing Pebble but if I did and I had to shell out that kind of money for a caddie, I'd just as soon carry the bag myself.

I am not calling anyone cheap but it you cant afford their services dont use them. Caddies at pebble, pinehurst, oakmont ect... that is their full time jobs. THEY DONT DO ANYTHING ELSE AND CHANCES ARE THEY ARE NOT KIDS. According the math above a caddy makes 53K and thats not much considering where they live.

[tpariff]

wiedmayer, on Oct 21 2007, 12:02 AM, said:

rl4673, on Oct 20 2007, 11:17 PM, said:

wiedmayer, on Oct 20 2007, 10:51 PM, said:

j0npeterson, on Oct 20 2007, 05:52 PM, said:

chop180, on Oct 20 2007, 02:40 PM, said:

Wow 70% tip on top of $140 fee sounds kinda steep to me, and I think of myself as a good tipper. Question is how much of the fee does a caddie typically get? I would think they would get the larger share if not most of it. $200-240/day for a caddie. I'll take a cart use my sky caddie, and buy everyone beers. But that's just me.

I wasn't going to touch this topic, but caddying at Pebble isn't exactly the same type of service you'd get at your local Red Robin.

For one, to some, their knowledge of the course is invaluable. Plus, they do all the necessary things so you don't have to (fill and fix divots, rake bunkers, tend the pin, etc). They have some great stories too.

Expecting to give a caddy a 20% tip is not only not commonplace, but cheap.

It sounds harsh, but man... if you're playing Pebble, live it up. More importantly, pony up. If you're going to take a caddy, take one, but don't skimp on the tip.

I used to caddy as a teenager, and if I didn't get $50... I wasn't mad, but it was certainly the "going rate" as far as a tip goes.

Well put! I hate how people are so cheap at times! I am a college kid and whenever we play somewhere that there is cart attendants I throw them a 5. When I play with my father he refuses to give them anymore than a dollar per bag(so I am forced to tip the bag kid while he pays for college). Come on people! Your playing pebble beach and if you cant imagine tipping at least one franklin...do not play.

Cheap? I'm not cheap at all. Making that kind of scratch every day would put that "kid" in a higher tax bracket. Your father, at least, has enough sense to know when a tip is appropriate. I don't ever plan on playing Pebble but if I did and I had to shell out that kind of money for a caddie, I'd just as soon carry the bag myself.

I am not calling anyone cheap but it you cant afford their services dont use them. Caddies at pebble, pinehurst, oakmont ect... that is their full time jobs. THEY DONT DO ANYTHING ELSE AND CHANCES ARE THEY ARE NOT KIDS. According the math above a caddy makes 53K and thats not much considering where they live.

How much does a police officer make living in CA? How bout a firefighter? How bout an enlisted military person, say an E3 or E4? All of these people put their lives on the line so we can be safe and pay $500 to play golf at PB, and you want to tell us that a caddy "deserves" more than $53,000 per year.

IMO that's a poor argument. There are people graduating from college every day who make way less than that. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to carry a golf bag and read a green.

[rl4673]

Oh, I could afford to use them. Right at their rate plus a reasonable tip. For the poster above, I have been a police officer for 10 years and I make right around $65k a year, including overtime and mandatory court time and I am fortunate enough to work for one of the highest paying departments in my state. There are guys that do more for less.. way less. Kinda sad that this clown thinks a guy schlepping a bag ONLY makes $53k a year. Get a clue, man. The guy carries a bag, rakes some bunkers and replaces divots for a living.. FOR 50+ GRAND A YEAR!

[deaddog]

tpariff, on Oct 20 2007, 10:43 PM, said:

Let me give you my take on the caddies at Pebble. I played there in November 2005. They double loop which SUCKS plain and simple. First, they force you to take your clubs out of your bag, even if it's a lightweight stand bag, and they put them in a bag which is not much bigger than a Sunday bag. You can take some balls and some other accessories, but they for damn sure don't want you taking too much stuff. As you know the weather can change pretty quickly at PB, so don't expect them to be too happy if you want to take an umbrella, rain jacket and sweater.

After you get past that, you have to deal with the caddy carrying both bags, which means you WILL be running around the course chasing your clubs unless the other player sharing your caddy is comparable in skill level, distance, etc. In my only experience with a PB caddy, I found myself chasing after my clubs and utilizing the other caddy to clean my ball and offer advice on the greens while "my" caddy raked bunkers, chased down errant shots for the other player, etc.

Anyway, after the round I felt like I should have tipped the OTHER caddy and not my guy. Granted it wasn't my caddy's fault (for the most part), but rather the system they have which basically requires double looping. I tipped my guy $40 or $50. The way I figure it, he made $80 or $100 in tips, plus his cut of the $140 for double looping. Let's say he gets 70% of the fee, so that's almost $100. Therefore, in the 5 hours it took to play, he made $180 to $200, or $36 to $40 per hour. Let's say the caddy does one trip around PB every day, 5 days a week...he makes $900 to $1,000 per week give or take. That's a pretty damn good part time job if you ask me.

My wife was a teacher for 11 years and when she quit to stay home with our daughter, she was making $34,000 per year working full time. She had a college education and was responsible for training the youth of tomorrow. So please don't tell me that a caddy "deserves" more than $1,000 a week to carry a golf bag, rake some sand, clean some golf balls, and kiss some arse.

Thanks for relating your actual experience. If you were doing it again, would you take caddy (double) or cart? As I understand it, its always cart path only so you're already doing the walking

[tpariff]

deaddog, on Oct 21 2007, 09:02 AM, said:

tpariff, on Oct 20 2007, 10:43 PM, said:

Let me give you my take on the caddies at Pebble. I played there in November 2005. They double loop which SUCKS plain and simple. First, they force you to take your clubs out of your bag, even if it's a lightweight stand bag, and they put them in a bag which is not much bigger than a Sunday bag. You can take some balls and some other accessories, but they for damn sure don't want you taking too much stuff. As you know the weather can change pretty quickly at PB, so don't expect them to be too happy if you want to take an umbrella, rain jacket and sweater.

After you get past that, you have to deal with the caddy carrying both bags, which means you WILL be running around the course chasing your clubs unless the other player sharing your caddy is comparable in skill level, distance, etc. In my only experience with a PB caddy, I found myself chasing after my clubs and utilizing the other caddy to clean my ball and offer advice on the greens while "my" caddy raked bunkers, chased down errant shots for the other player, etc.

Anyway, after the round I felt like I should have tipped the OTHER caddy and not my guy. Granted it wasn't my caddy's fault (for the most part), but rather the system they have which basically requires double looping. I tipped my guy $40 or $50. The way I figure it, he made $80 or $100 in tips, plus his cut of the $140 for double looping. Let's say he gets 70% of the fee, so that's almost $100. Therefore, in the 5 hours it took to play, he made $180 to $200, or $36 to $40 per hour. Let's say the caddy does one trip around PB every day, 5 days a week...he makes $900 to $1,000 per week give or take. That's a pretty damn good part time job if you ask me.

My wife was a teacher for 11 years and when she quit to stay home with our daughter, she was making $34,000 per year working full time. She had a college education and was responsible for training the youth of tomorrow. So please don't tell me that a caddy "deserves" more than $1,000 a week to carry a golf bag, rake some sand, clean some golf balls, and kiss some arse.

Thanks for relating your actual experience. If you were doing it again, would you take caddy (double) or cart? As I understand it, its always cart path only so you're already doing the walking

My pleasure. If I were doing it again, here's how I would do it, which is the way we ended up doing it at Spanish Bay. Don't ask why it ended up this way, it just did because the caddy was hungover and the course forgot to have caddies there for our first tee time of the morning, so they had to call someone in. Anyway, here's how that went:

The caddy at Spanish Bay put our two sets of clubs on a cart and he drove the cart while we walked. Spanish Bay was using the 90 degree rule, so it worked perfectly in allowing the caddy to drive the clubs to us in a very efficient manner, provide yardages and advice, and rake bunkers, etc. This was a MUCH better experience, and we had no problems.

My advice would be to either do it this way if possible, or take an individual caddy and eat the double fee (unfortunately).

To me it's a crying shame that they don't single bag at PB, especially when the player is spending $500 for a round of golf.

[poppyhillsguy]

$50 per bag.

[stansoph]

http://www.cdaresort.com/

This is a similar setup to Pebble. But..... The caddy is for 2 people and he rides on the back of your cart. He/she are a necessary evil that you are bound to use while playing. i.e. worthless. Whoops not my thread....rant off.

[JNewsted]

Caddy at Pinehurst cost you $45. He was cool, got a $50 tip.

[j0npeterson]

JNewsted, on Oct 21 2007, 04:26 PM, said:

Caddy at Pinehurst cost you $45. He was cool, got a $50 tip.

That's the way I've always seen it. When I go and take a caddy, which admittedly isn't very often, I make sure and tip well.

I figure I'm out there playing golf. If I can afford to play at a course that has caddies, my money is of more use to the caddy than it is to me. I just chalk it up to a nice experience.

[joshpike]

I caddied during my summers at college (I just graduated) for a group of premium courses in the Southeast. Our course didn't charge quite as much as PB for a round or caddie, but was very close at $250+ for a round and $45 for a forecaddie or $75 for a walking caddie. Our courses were all quite hilly and extremely long (about 7 miles to walk) so we more than earned our wages.

Concerning wages, a caddie does not receive anywhere close to 70%. The company that ran the caddie services at my course is the same company that runs the services at Augusta National, Pinehurst, Pebble Beach, etc. As a caddie I only recieved $15 for forecadding and $25 for carrying clubs. As you can see this is nowhere close to the 70% estimate others have stated and since these courses are ran by the same company, its pretty safe to estimate that generally the caddie recieves 30% of the fee you pay in the clubhouse.

As for tip, it was a pretty much a general rule that for carrying a bag (which from the first post it seems this caddie would be doing) you received a $50 tip / per 18 holes. If I double looped and carried my customer's bag for all 36 holes, a good tip would be $100.

In regards to the posts comparing a caddie's salary to that of teachers, police officers, and fire fighters: Caddies on courses such as Pebble Beach use this job as their career. I was very fortunate to get one of the rare gigs of doing this on the side during the summer. While I completely AGREE that our teachers, police officers, and fire fighters do not get paid the type of money they should for the incredible services they provide to this country, caddies don't make anywhere close to the $50,000 estimated by individuals. While it might be possible to make this type of coin if in fact everyone's assumptions were true, the fact is that caddies don't get out 5 times a week at twice a day. During peak times this is definately the case, but every course has an offseason and during these times caddies are lucky to get out 5-6 times in an entire week. I by no means am saying that caddies at top tier courses do not make good money considering what they are doing, but they are not living the lifestyle some of you believe they enjoy.

To be honest, I'm not saying that you should always give a $50 tip to the caddie for carrying your bag for 18 holes, but if your guy gets you all of your yardages, fixes your divots, gives you great reads on your putts, and generally makes the round an absolute pleasure, than he deserves the $50. Will your caddie be pissed if he gets $40 or $30 for a loop, prob not unless hes a jerk. Just don't be the Harvard MBA talking about your million dollar Manhattan condo, multi-million dollar Hamptons house, $10 million dollar yacht, the stress of only getting out 3 times a week to play golf because you manage a multi-billion dollar hedge fund, and then tip your caddie $20 for carrying your bag 36 holes in 95+ degree heat after the caddie fixed the MOUNDS OF EARTH your swing moved in redesiging the course and cut 10 shots off your score each 18 in helping you break 85 for the first time in 5 years. (sorry a little rant to end)

Just .02 from a former caddie's perspective

[lazyjc4]

Keep in mind that caddying is not a year-round job at most courses, and to compare them with teachers and police, who enjoy great benefits and vacation time, is just absurd. I should know, I teach at a public school and then caddie in the summer time.

My advice, ask the caddie master what an appropriate tip is for your caddie (they may be an experienced senior caddie, or maybe a newbie), add twenty bucks if they bust thier hump and deserve it.
If your guy is carrying two, help him out a bit. Hit it in the bunker from the fairway? Grab a wedge, or wedges, and rake your own trap, you hit it there. If that's asking too much, take a cart or carry your own.

[wedgetoafoot]

It doesn't matter what the skill required to complete the job is. The important factor is what level of pay will the market support. Clearly some people feel they should tip less, while some people feel they should tip more. Thus, an average is created like in any tip based position.

[johnnylongball]

Another party heard from....

From the Bandon Dunes website, the minimum expected tip for a caddy (above the cost of the caddy fee) is $25 per bag. I would say a $50 tip per bag is definitely sufficient for a job well done.

I also played at East Lake this summer and we tipped the caddy $50 per bag, which I believe is the customary rate there as well.

[wiedmayer]

joshpike, on Oct 22 2007, 09:25 AM, said:

I caddied during my summers at college (I just graduated) for a group of premium courses in the Southeast. Our course didn't charge quite as much as PB for a round or caddie, but was very close at $250+ for a round and $45 for a forecaddie or $75 for a walking caddie. Our courses were all quite hilly and extremely long (about 7 miles to walk) so we more than earned our wages.

Concerning wages, a caddie does not receive anywhere close to 70%. The company that ran the caddie services at my course is the same company that runs the services at Augusta National, Pinehurst, Pebble Beach, etc. As a caddie I only recieved $15 for forecadding and $25 for carrying clubs. As you can see this is nowhere close to the 70% estimate others have stated and since these courses are ran by the same company, its pretty safe to estimate that generally the caddie recieves 30% of the fee you pay in the clubhouse.

As for tip, it was a pretty much a general rule that for carrying a bag (which from the first post it seems this caddie would be doing) you received a $50 tip / per 18 holes. If I double looped and carried my customer's bag for all 36 holes, a good tip would be $100.

In regards to the posts comparing a caddie's salary to that of teachers, police officers, and fire fighters: Caddies on courses such as Pebble Beach use this job as their career. I was very fortunate to get one of the rare gigs of doing this on the side during the summer. While I completely AGREE that our teachers, police officers, and fire fighters do not get paid the type of money they should for the incredible services they provide to this country, caddies don't make anywhere close to the $50,000 estimated by individuals. While it might be possible to make this type of coin if in fact everyone's assumptions were true, the fact is that caddies don't get out 5 times a week at twice a day. During peak times this is definately the case, but every course has an offseason and during these times caddies are lucky to get out 5-6 times in an entire week. I by no means am saying that caddies at top tier courses do not make good money considering what they are doing, but they are not living the lifestyle some of you believe they enjoy.

To be honest, I'm not saying that you should always give a $50 tip to the caddie for carrying your bag for 18 holes, but if your guy gets you all of your yardages, fixes your divots, gives you great reads on your putts, and generally makes the round an absolute pleasure, than he deserves the $50. Will your caddie be pissed if he gets $40 or $30 for a loop, prob not unless hes a jerk. Just don't be the Harvard MBA talking about your million dollar Manhattan condo, multi-million dollar Hamptons house, $10 million dollar yacht, the stress of only getting out 3 times a week to play golf because you manage a multi-billion dollar hedge fund, and then tip your caddie $20 for carrying your bag 36 holes in 95+ degree heat after the caddie fixed the MOUNDS OF EARTH your swing moved in redesiging the course and cut 10 shots off your score each 18 in helping you break 85 for the first time in 5 years. (sorry a little rant to end)

Just .02 from a former caddie's perspective

very well put

[joe perry]

correct me if i am wrong

but i believe the caddies at bandon get the entire caddy fee as well as any tip given - good deal if you ask me

but if it is true that at a high end course like pebble the caddies only receive 30% of the fee and then rely on tips - then those
guys should form a union and demand a higher percentage of the fee - what did the pebble beach resort do to deserve 70% of
the caddy fee ?

[joshpike]

From what I understand, of that 70% that the course keeps:


Part

[joshpike]

From what I understand, of the 70% that the course keeps:

Part goes to the clubhouse and part goes to the company the caddie works for (although technically a caddie is an indpendent contractor that is subbed out for work). These top tier courses use outside companies because it makes their lives easier with the certified training (yes, these caddies are technically certified PGA caddies, although most don't realize that the training they received qualified them as PGA caddies) and the company also is the one paying the caddiemaster.

Don't get me wrong, the company does deserve part of the clubhouse fees for the management and hard work it takes to keep a well-trained caddie service operating efficiently.

I was just trying to provide a more realistic view than what was being presented, while also reminding everyone that respectable WRX golfers found on this board only make up PART of the golfing population.

[withdrew]

I consider myself an above-average tipper. Having worked as a waiter, plumbing/construction helper, wedding-dress gopher (anyone heard of Kleinfeld, famous bridal shop?) and other salary + tip-based industries, I know what it's like to get a good tip and a bad one. In fact, my wife often tells me, "We're not rich!" when I am leaving a generous tip for someone who does a great job.

Anyway, I always found a conflict (or problem) with tipping based on the price of the service.

Example #1:
Go to a busy diner during breakfast, the height of the rush. Probably lasts about 2-3 hours. NON-STOP service. Coffee refills, hectic pace, crazy environment. One guy wants waffles, one guy wants pancakes, omelets, eggs sunny-side up...etc. etc. You get the point. It's nuts.

Your order: 2 eggs over easy, home fries, buttered wheat toast, bacon, coffee (unlimited refills) and a small OJ.
Your total: $5.75 (8:00-11:00AM Breakfast special)
If you choose to tip 20% (which is considered to be a generous tip in many cases) you'll be leaving a whopping $1.15

Example #2:
Dinner at a steakhouse. It's busy, but you don't feel that frantic, urgent atmosphere like a breakfast rush.

Your order: Appetizer- Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail. Porterhouse medium-rare, comes with baked potato. Glass of Cabernet.
Total: (Shrimp $11.95, Porterhouse $58, Wine $10) $79.95
20% tip, about $16.00.

My point is, the busier waiter/waitress (in THIS hypothetical case) is the breakfast server, but because they are serving less expensive food, they are already set-up to get a lesser tip, which shouldn't really be the case. As far as work, breakfast servers make way more trips to tables and deal with many more substitutions and quirky preferences (Turkey-Bacon Egg-white-broccoli-mushroom-feta-spinach-omelet with spinach and feta on the side...blah blah blah) than a steakhouse server, where the choices are generally cut of meat and done-ness.

I guess it boils down to giving what you think is fair, and what you think they deserve REALISTICALLY.
Some golf clubs I've been to, the caddies don't make a dime from the house, EVERYTHING is tips. Right or wrong, it is what it is. Tips must be earned though- they're not automatic nor should they be.

Another thought: While I can understand that a $500 round of golf is surely a luxury, to automatically expect someone to "pony-up" another $100 per bag is crazy. It's a once in a lifetime trip. For some people, with airfare and hotel stay, the trip could be in the thousands. Maybe the person saved up for this, and they don't have $100 extra...If the service is stellar and you've got the cash, by all means, "pony-up" but I don't think people should be compelled to give $100 just because the rest of the day is expensive, so "what's $100 more?" NONSENSE.

And I don't think there's any shortage of caddies at Pebble or Augusta or fill in the blank with your tour-caliber course. I'm not saying these guys and gals don't deserve a fair wage, because they absolutely do, but chances are they are doing something they're passionate about, surely they get discounts and opportunities to play these courses, and being outside on arguably the best course in the U.S. really isn't that bad. Correct me if I'm wrong, I'm just babbling now...

[ty cheek]

I played there in the late 90's, and my friend & I both walked. Neither of us took a caddie. At that time the green fee was $300. The course is so straight in front of you, you don't need a caddie. That being said, it is much cooler to have one, however I hate it when they double bag. The next day we played Spy Glass from the tips, and I shot 77.

That day the other twosome had a caddie, and I ask him to help me on the greens, occasionally, and on the par 3's. There are some elevation changes on the 3 pars. He cleaned my ball, and that was it. I tipped him $25 just for helping me on the 3 pars, and green reading, if I needed it.

When you play at the Honors Course in Chattanooga, which is pretty exclusive and high end, the going rate is $40-50 per bag. If you're in carts and have 1 four caddie, he busts his hump. Is $50 alot for him to read putts, especially if he's not that good, and give me yardages I can get with my Bushnell, maybe. However I just shelled out $200 for the green fee, and the guy is trying to earn a living.

The only way I'm shelling $100 is if I have the guy to myself, and I'm shooting a career round. Some of us have a wife, kids, and work for a living and aren't necessarily making A Rod change.

TY

[iskysoma01]

If you cant afford the tip don"t take a caddy. For 36 holes the caddy is going to be with you 8 hours minimum, with 2 bags per 18, i think $100 is fair.

[lazyjc4]

withdrew, on Oct 24 2007, 03:10 PM, said:

I consider myself an above-average tipper. Having worked as a waiter, plumbing/construction helper, wedding-dress gopher (anyone heard of Kleinfeld, famous bridal shop?) and other salary + tip-based industries, I know what it's like to get a good tip and a bad one. In fact, my wife often tells me, "We're not rich!" when I am leaving a generous tip for someone who does a great job.

Anyway, I always found a conflict (or problem) with tipping based on the price of the service.

Example #1:
Go to a busy diner during breakfast, the height of the rush. Probably lasts about 2-3 hours. NON-STOP service. Coffee refills, hectic pace, crazy environment. One guy wants waffles, one guy wants pancakes, omelets, eggs sunny-side up...etc. etc. You get the point. It's nuts.

Your order: 2 eggs over easy, home fries, buttered wheat toast, bacon, coffee (unlimited refills) and a small OJ.
Your total: $5.75 (8:00-11:00AM Breakfast special)
If you choose to tip 20% (which is considered to be a generous tip in many cases) you'll be leaving a whopping $1.15

Example #2:
Dinner at a steakhouse. It's busy, but you don't feel that frantic, urgent atmosphere like a breakfast rush.

Your order: Appetizer- Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail. Porterhouse medium-rare, comes with baked potato. Glass of Cabernet.
Total: (Shrimp $11.95, Porterhouse $58, Wine $10) $79.95
20% tip, about $16.00.

My point is, the busier waiter/waitress (in THIS hypothetical case) is the breakfast server, but because they are serving less expensive food, they are already set-up to get a lesser tip, which shouldn't really be the case. As far as work, breakfast servers make way more trips to tables and deal with many more substitutions and quirky preferences (Turkey-Bacon Egg-white-broccoli-mushroom-feta-spinach-omelet with spinach and feta on the side...blah blah blah) than a steakhouse server, where the choices are generally cut of meat and done-ness.

I guess it boils down to giving what you think is fair, and what you think they deserve REALISTICALLY.
Some golf clubs I've been to, the caddies don't make a dime from the house, EVERYTHING is tips. Right or wrong, it is what it is. Tips must be earned though- they're not automatic nor should they be.

Another thought: While I can understand that a $500 round of golf is surely a luxury, to automatically expect someone to "pony-up" another $100 per bag is crazy. It's a once in a lifetime trip. For some people, with airfare and hotel stay, the trip could be in the thousands. Maybe the person saved up for this, and they don't have $100 extra...If the service is stellar and you've got the cash, by all means, "pony-up" but I don't think people should be compelled to give $100 just because the rest of the day is expensive, so "what's $100 more?" NONSENSE.

And I don't think there's any shortage of caddies at Pebble or Augusta or fill in the blank with your tour-caliber course. I'm not saying these guys and gals don't deserve a fair wage, because they absolutely do, but chances are they are doing something they're passionate about, surely they get discounts and opportunities to play these courses, and being outside on arguably the best course in the U.S. really isn't that bad. Correct me if I'm wrong, I'm just babbling now...

By your own example, you prove yourself wrong. You gave the waiter at the steakhouse $16, when, over a course of a meal, he spent maybe ten minutes actually serving you? A caddie spends 4+ hours waiting on your every need. Even a generous tip for your bag ($75 or so) pales in comparison to what you tipped the waiter for a fraction of the service.

[withdrew]

lazyjc4, on Oct 25 2007, 01:42 PM, said:

withdrew, on Oct 24 2007, 03:10 PM, said:

I consider myself an above-average tipper. Having worked as a waiter, plumbing/construction helper, wedding-dress gopher (anyone heard of Kleinfeld, famous bridal shop?) and other salary + tip-based industries, I know what it's like to get a good tip and a bad one. In fact, my wife often tells me, "We're not rich!" when I am leaving a generous tip for someone who does a great job.

Anyway, I always found a conflict (or problem) with tipping based on the price of the service.

Example #1:
Go to a busy diner during breakfast, the height of the rush. Probably lasts about 2-3 hours. NON-STOP service. Coffee refills, hectic pace, crazy environment. One guy wants waffles, one guy wants pancakes, omelets, eggs sunny-side up...etc. etc. You get the point. It's nuts.

Your order: 2 eggs over easy, home fries, buttered wheat toast, bacon, coffee (unlimited refills) and a small OJ.
Your total: $5.75 (8:00-11:00AM Breakfast special)
If you choose to tip 20% (which is considered to be a generous tip in many cases) you'll be leaving a whopping $1.15

Example #2:
Dinner at a steakhouse. It's busy, but you don't feel that frantic, urgent atmosphere like a breakfast rush.

Your order: Appetizer- Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail. Porterhouse medium-rare, comes with baked potato. Glass of Cabernet.
Total: (Shrimp $11.95, Porterhouse $58, Wine $10) $79.95
20% tip, about $16.00.

My point is, the busier waiter/waitress (in THIS hypothetical case) is the breakfast server, but because they are serving less expensive food, they are already set-up to get a lesser tip, which shouldn't really be the case. As far as work, breakfast servers make way more trips to tables and deal with many more substitutions and quirky preferences (Turkey-Bacon Egg-white-broccoli-mushroom-feta-spinach-omelet with spinach and feta on the side...blah blah blah) than a steakhouse server, where the choices are generally cut of meat and done-ness.

I guess it boils down to giving what you think is fair, and what you think they deserve REALISTICALLY.
Some golf clubs I've been to, the caddies don't make a dime from the house, EVERYTHING is tips. Right or wrong, it is what it is. Tips must be earned though- they're not automatic nor should they be.

Another thought: While I can understand that a $500 round of golf is surely a luxury, to automatically expect someone to "pony-up" another $100 per bag is crazy. It's a once in a lifetime trip. For some people, with airfare and hotel stay, the trip could be in the thousands. Maybe the person saved up for this, and they don't have $100 extra...If the service is stellar and you've got the cash, by all means, "pony-up" but I don't think people should be compelled to give $100 just because the rest of the day is expensive, so "what's $100 more?" NONSENSE.

And I don't think there's any shortage of caddies at Pebble or Augusta or fill in the blank with your tour-caliber course. I'm not saying these guys and gals don't deserve a fair wage, because they absolutely do, but chances are they are doing something they're passionate about, surely they get discounts and opportunities to play these courses, and being outside on arguably the best course in the U.S. really isn't that bad. Correct me if I'm wrong, I'm just babbling now...

By your own example, you prove yourself wrong. You gave the waiter at the steakhouse $16, when, over a course of a meal, he spent maybe ten minutes actually serving you? A caddie spends 4+ hours waiting on your every need. Even a generous tip for your bag ($75 or so) pales in comparison to what you tipped the waiter for a fraction of the service.

You misread, misunderstood, or BOTH my post, which I CLEARLY marked as hypothetical.
I'm saying that if you treat tipping as a set percentage of the cost of the meal (or round) you will AUTOMATICALLY be giving people (who are in essence doing the SAME work, or perhaps LESS work) way MORE or LESS than they might deserve.

Why should a caddie working part time at a muni, knows the course inside and out, humping one or two bags around in 100° heat, why should he get $10 or $20 and the guy at Pebble or wherever gets $100?

So, to summarize my original point, you give people what you can afford, and what you REALISTICALLY think they deserve.
(And like someone said, if you don't think you can afford it, go ahead and walk or ride with your own bag)

[withdrew]

lazyjc4, on Oct 25 2007, 01:42 PM, said:

By your own example, you prove yourself wrong. You gave the waiter at the steakhouse $16, when, over a course of a meal, he spent maybe ten minutes actually serving you? A caddie spends 4+ hours waiting on your every need. Even a generous tip for your bag ($75 or so) pales in comparison to what you tipped the waiter for a fraction of the service.

And that's not what I did, it was a hypothetical situation. And most people tip according to the price of the meal, which can work out fine in many cases but can also be incredibly unfair (as in the example I put forth).

[wkuo3]

I guess if the general public ( not the occassional Donald Trump type or those that has an expense account ), I believe it's where you see the value in the service provided by the caddy.

If I learned from the front counter that a caddy ( double bagged ) is $175 + tax and expect to tip $100 per bag, I'll just forget about it, because in my case I really don't feel like I'll receive the value for the money.
It has nothing to do with the green fees being $500 and it's probably a golf course I won't be frequent much.

If we don't see the value, we certainly don't have to shell out our greens.