As golfers, we all know the importance of proper etiquette on and off the course. But one area where etiquette can get a bit fuzzy is tipping golf instructors.
Are you supposed to tip them? If so, how much? When is it appropriate or necessary?
In this post, I’ll go over everything you need to know about tipping golf instructors.
Table of Contents
Do You Tip A Golf Instructor?
Tipping a golf instructor isn’t mandatory or expected.
It’s different from tipping service industry workers like waiters or hairdressers. Golf instructors are professionals with a set hourly or lesson rate.
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But yeah, you can totally tip your golf instructor if you want to.
It’s not like a hard rule or anything, but it’s a nice way to show your appreciation for all their help in improving your game.
When Should You Tip Your Golf Instructor?
There are a couple of situations where tipping your instructor is definitely a good idea:
If Your Golf Game Has Improved
If you’ve been taking lessons with an instructor for a while, and you can really see the positive results in your golf game, that’s a great time to show your appreciation with a tip.
Maybe your swing has become more consistent, you’re driving the ball further, your short game has tightened up, or you’re just scoring better overall.
After all, their expertise and ability to teach you properly is what helped you get better.
A tip is a way to say “thank you” for helping you reach those milestones and take your golf skills to the next level.
When They Go the Extra Mile to Help You
Some golf instructors really go above and beyond the call of duty.
They might spend extra time with you after a lesson to work on a specific issue you’re having, or they’ll provide personalized drills and practice routines tailored to you.
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Maybe they’ll even hook you up with additional resources like video analyses, training aids, or recommended reading materials to supplement your lessons.
A tip is an awesome way to show your gratitude for their commitment.
How Much To Tip For Golf Lessons
So you’ve decided to tip your instructor, but how much is appropriate?
Well, there’s no hard and fast rule, but a good general guideline is to tip somewhere between 10-20% of the cost of the lesson itself.
So if you’re taking a private one-on-one lesson that costs $100, you could tip around $10 or up to $20 if you’re feeling really generous or if the instruction was exceptional.
When Not to Tip
There are situations where tipping an instructor might not be appropriate or even allowed.
For example, you should not tip them in corporate events.
And some golf clubs or facilities have policies in place that prohibit their instructors from accepting tips from students.
They do this to maintain a professional atmosphere and keep things fair and clear.
Tipping can make an instructor favor the people who tip them the most, and make students feel pressured to pay extra just to get a good lesson.
In cases like that, it’s best to respect the club’s rules
Other Ways To Show Appreciation
If tipping isn’t an option or you want to do something extra, here are some other ideas:
Gifts
A personal gift can be a really cool way to say thanks.
Something like a new golf accessory, a gift card to the pro shop, or even just a nice bottle of wine or box of chocolates can be a meaningful gesture.
Give Them Online Reviews
Online reviews are super important for instructors.
Take a few minutes to leave a detailed, glowing review on their website, social media pages, Google, or other review platforms they are on.
Highlight how great they are and how much they’ve helped your game.
I’m certain they’ll appreciate it very much.
Send Them Referrals
Word-of-mouth referrals are HUGE for golf instructors.
So sending some new students their way is an awesome way to show your appreciation while also helping to grow their business.
You could even offer to let them use you as a reference or success story when talking to prospective new clients.
Invite Them To Social Events
Depending on your relationship with your instructor, you could consider inviting them to social events or gatherings.
They will have the opportunity to network and potentially connect with new clients.
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Things like charity golf tournaments, club member parties, or even just getting together with your regular golf group can provide chances for them to get some positive exposure.
Bottom Line
At the end of the day, tipping your golf instructor is a personal choice.
If you feel like they’ve really helped you out and you want to show your gratitude, a tip is a nice way to do it. But if tipping isn’t allowed, there are plenty of other ways to let them know how much you appreciate their help.
FAQs
Do You Tip Golf Cart Attendants?
Yes, a small tip (a few dollars) is customary, especially if they helped load your clubs or provided exceptional service.
Do You Tip Golf Starters?
No, it isn’t always expected, but tipping the golf starter is a cool gesture, especially if they went above and beyond to help you out. $1 – $2 is generally considered a nice tip for starters.
Do You Tip Golf Fitters?
No, tipping golf fitters isn’t expected. Their service is usually included in the fitting fee or their commission on any clubs you purchase.