Caddie fees, tipping customs, and etiquette — everything you need to know.
The caddie system is one of the defining features of golf in Thailand. At the vast majority of courses, caddies are mandatory — not optional. But far from being a burden, a good Thai caddie is one of the genuine pleasures of the experience.
Thai caddies carry your bag (most courses permit trolleys or carts too), advise on yardages, read greens, and often clean your clubs and ball after every shot. They know the course far better than you do — their line advice on approach shots and putts is genuinely valuable. Experienced caddies at top courses have often worked the same layout for years.
| Course type | Typical caddie fee (THB) | Approximate (£) |
|---|---|---|
| Budget / municipal | ฿300–฿350 | ≈ £7–£8 |
| Mid-range | ฿400–฿450 | ≈ £9–£10 |
| Premium resort | ฿500–฿600 | ≈ £11–£14 |
Caddie fees are paid separately to green fees, directly to the caddie at the end of the round. The fee listed by the course is the standard rate — tipping is separate and very welcome.
Tips are not mandatory but are strongly customary. A tip of ฿100–฿200 (≈ £2–£5) per round is standard for average service. For excellent service — particularly at premium courses — ฿300–฿500 is appropriate. For a full week of caddying or an exceptional experience, more generous tips are always appreciated.
Quick reference: A total of ฿500–฿700 per round (caddie fee + tip) is a reasonable all-in budget for mid-range courses. Budget ฿800–฿1,000 total at premium resorts.
Caddies are assigned to you by the caddie master at the start of your round — you don't usually choose. Most courses rotate assignments fairly. If you've played the course before and had a particularly good caddie, you can sometimes request the same person by asking the caddie master in advance, though this isn't always possible.
At the majority of Thai courses, no — caddies are mandatory. A small number of courses (typically budget municipal tracks) offer walking or buggy-only options without a caddie. If walking without a caddie is important to you, check with the specific course before booking.
A tip of ฿100–฿200 is standard for average service. For excellent service, ฿300–฿500 is appropriate. Always tip in cash (Thai Baht) directly to the caddie after the round.
Most caddies at courses that cater to international visitors speak basic English — enough to advise on distances, lines, and hazards. Communication is often supplemented with gestures and the universal language of golf.
Not tipping at all is considered poor form and would be noticed. Even a modest tip of ฿100 is better than nothing. The caddie fee listed by the course is their base rate — tips are how they supplement their income.
Shared caddies (one caddie between two players) are offered at some courses and can reduce costs. Check with the specific course — at premium layouts, individual caddies are typically required.