How to Hire and Tip a Caddie in Thailand
Etiquette, fees, phrases, and real-world scenarios—so your round runs smooth from first tee to final putt.
Why this guide matters: In Thailand, caddies are a core part of golf—equal parts local expert, green reader, pace whisperer, and rain-day lifesaver. Most premium clubs require caddies (and often carts), and knowing how to book, brief, and tip respectfully will improve your score, your experience, and your group’s rhythm.
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Why Caddies Matter in Thailand
Thai caddies are trained professionals, not just bag carriers. Expect help with:
- Green reading & grain (hugely useful on coastal and mountain greens)
- Club selection cues (wind, elevation, moisture)
- Distance & line (to bunkers, layups, safe misses)
- Pace coordination (ready clubs, quick rakes, lining up putts)
- Rain setup & recovery (umbrellas, towels, dry grips)
- Cart driving (where permitted) and route choices that keep you moving
Good chemistry with your caddie can save strokes and keep the round under 4–4.5 hours—a big deal on busier courses in Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, and Hua Hin. Even if you’ve played worldwide, Thailand feels smoother when you lean into the system.
How to Hire a Caddie — Step-by-Step
Step 1 — Booking the round
- When reserving your tee time (direct or via local agent), confirm:
(a) Are caddies mandatory? (b) Are carts mandatory? (c) What’s included vs. paid on site? - Ask whether caddie fees are on the receipt and whether a cash tip is customary (they almost always are).
- Cool-season mornings (Nov–Feb) in Bangkok and Pattaya fill quickly—our Bangkok golf guide has course-by-course nuance on peak times and travel corridors.
Step 2 — On arrival
- Check in at the pro shop. You’ll be assigned a caddie number. If you’ve played before, you can request a favorite caddie by number—availability varies.
- Confirm cart sharing rules (one bag per caddie is common).
- Clarify payment flow: some clubs settle green fee + cart + caddie fee by card but expect tip in cash.
Step 3 — First tee briefing (1–2 minutes)
- Agree on yardage units (meters vs yards) and front/centre/back preferences.
- Confirm rangefinder use and whether you want line shown vs. described on greens.
- Share any quirks (e.g., “I play quickly; please hand me a club if I’m between two”).
Step 4 — During the round
- Expect efficient help: lie checks, bunkers raked, divots replaced, towels for grips, ball marked/cleaned, putt reads, and cart positioning.
- Ask for wind and safe-miss lines on unfamiliar par-3s and par-5 layups.
- If pace drifts, your caddie or a marshal will suggest letting a group through—do it graciously.
Step 5 — Finishing & tipping
- Settle official fees as directed; tip discreetly and directly to the caddie, with a smile and a short thank-you in Thai (phrases below).
- If service was outstanding, note the caddie number so you can request them on your next visit.
What Thai Caddies Do (and Don’t)
They do:
- Clean clubs/balls, manage towels and rain gear
- Read greens, offer aim points and pace cues
- Track carry distances and safe targets
- Rake bunkers and repair marks
- Keep your group in rhythm (quiet positioning, ready clubs)
They don’t:
- Enforce rules (that’s on marshals)
- Play referee in disputes (keep it friendly; ask the marshal)
- Offer swing lessons unless asked (and even then, keep it simple)
- Carry two full bags unless club policy allows (rare at premium venues)
For broader conduct—voice level on tees, music, dress—see golf etiquette in Thailand: what every visitor should know.
Fees, TCR, and Tipping — Clear Numbers
Planning rate: For USD examples, we use ฿36 ≈ US$1 (refresh quarterly).
Remember TCR (Total Cost of a Round) = green fee + cart + caddie fee + customary tip. Budgeting on green fee alone underestimates your day by ~25–30% at premium clubs.
Standard Fee & Tip Ranges
| Item | Typical Range (THB) | USD (≈) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caddie fee (club-set) | 300–500 | $8–$14 | Paid to club; on receipt |
| Cart fee (often required) | 700–1,200 | $20–$35 | Per player or per cart; check sharing rules |
| Customary caddie tip (18 holes) | 400–600 | $11–$16 | Cash, discreetly after round |
| Rain/exceptional service | 700–1,000 | $19–$28 | For heavy weather or standout support |
Regional texture:
- Bangkok & Pattaya premium tend toward upper bands (polish, tournament pedigree).
- Phuket & Samui: similar bands, heat management and carts common.
- Hua Hin, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai: slightly lower on average, but still tip at standard norms for good service.
For seasonality and rate windows by region, the best time to golf in Thailand guide helps you time AM tee sheets and shoulder-season value.
How Much to Tip? Situational Guide
| Scenario | Suggested Tip (THB) | Why it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Standard 18 holes, fair weather | 400–600 | Professional service at expected level |
| Rainy or very hot day, great attitude | 600–800 | Extra towels, pace, and gear care |
| Exceptional reads & pace management | 700–1,000 | Saved strokes + experience uplift |
| 9 holes / twilight | 200–300 | Scale proportionally |
| Recovered lost item / special help | Add 200–400 | Recognize above-and-beyond support |
Etiquette notes:
- Hand tip directly to the caddie with eye contact and a short thanks.
- Avoid theatrical gestures; sincerity > showiness.
- If the club uses envelopes, write the caddie number clearly.
Working Smoothly with Your Caddie (Do/Don’t)
Do
- State your yardage preference (front/middle/back; meters vs yards).
- Ask for grain guidance—especially in Hua Hin (seaside wind + grain) and Chiang Mai (morning moisture + mountain slope).
- Be ready to play; agree on an efficient club-handoff routine.
- Thank them in Thai (below) and note their caddie number for future bookings.
Don’t
- Don’t press for unsafe hero shots or ignore marshal direction.
- Don’t photograph caddies without asking.
- Don’t debate every read—own your choice and move on.
- Don’t hand over wallets/valuables except at official cashier points.
Thai Phrases You’ll Actually Use
| English | Thai (male “krub”; female “kha”) | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Sawasdee krub/kha | First greeting |
| Thank you very much | Khop khun mak krub/kha | After helpful reads; end of round |
| Please | Karuna krub/kha | Polite requests |
| Which club do you recommend? | Khuen arai dii krub/kha? | Between clubs |
| Can you show me the line? | Chuay chuey sai laeo dai mai krub/kha? | On greens |
| With the grain or against? | Pai tam lom rai mai krub/kha? | Grain check |
| Great job today | Tham ngan dii mak krub/kha | End of round, pre-tip |
Pronunciation isn’t graded—effort and tone carry the day.
Real-World Scenarios & Quick Scripts
Cart sharing confusion
- You: “Is one cart for two players allowed?”
- Starter/Caddie: Confirms local rule.
- Action: If two carts are mandatory, accept and adjust TCR. Pace often improves.
I want my previous caddie again
- You at check-in: “Khor caddie number 123, dai mai krub/kha?” (May I have #123?)
- Outcome: If available, assigned. If not, note their training day and try again later in the week.
We’re falling behind pace
- You: “We’ll let the group behind play through—khop khun.”
- Caddie: Coordinates with marshal; rhythm restored. You still finish in under 4.5 hours.
I disagree with the read
- You: “I’ll take inside left, firm pace. OK?”
- Caddie: Nods. You own the decision; keep rapport positive.
Rain just rolled in
- Caddie: Umbrella up, glove swap, towel rotation, cart-path calls.
- You: Recognize the extra work—elevate tip into the rain/exceptional bracket if attitude stayed upbeat.
Regional Notes You’ll Feel on Course
- Bangkok & Pattaya: Slicker greens at top clubs, clear cart policies, efficient marshals. Your caddie will help manage rhythm on busy sheets—trust their staging on tees and fairways. For corridor and course personalities, see the Bangkok golf guide: https://www.thaigolfguide.com/destinations/bangkok-golf-guide/.
- Hua Hin: Seaside holes mean wind + grain; AM dew is common. Caddies will cue you on down-grain chips and into-wind putts. For tee-time strategy around wind, the Hua Hin golf itinerary has practical notes: https://www.thaigolfguide.com/itineraries/7-day-hua-hin-golf-itinerary/.
- Chiang Mai & Chiang Rai: Cooler mornings, mountain slope + grain interplay. Expect true but quick greens at Highlands and graceful routing at Santiburi. For day-by-day planning up north, see our Chiang Mai golf itinerary: https://www.thaigolfguide.com/itineraries/10-day-northern-thailand-golf-culture-trail/.
- Phuket & Samui: Heat management is real—your caddie’s towel/water routine keeps grips dry and tempo sane. Start early; carts often mandatory.
Safety, Respect & Boundaries
- Keep voices low on tees and greens; avoid club-throwing and loud music.
- Ask before taking identifiable photos of caddies; many prefer privacy.
- Never harass or touch caddies; if an issue arises, speak with the marshal or club manager—not directly in a heated way.
- Hats off in clubhouses where posted; follow locker-room norms and return towels neatly.
For a fuller on-course code, read golf etiquette in Thailand: what every visitor should know.
Payment Flow: Cash vs Card (What to Expect)
- Club charges (green fee, cart, caddie fee) are usually settled at the pro shop by card or cash.
- Tip is typically cash handed directly to your caddie after the round. Carry small bills (฿100/฿20).
- Some clubs use tip envelopes; write the caddie number clearly if requested.
- If your group is splitting costs, align on tip norms at check-in to avoid awkward post-round debates.
Quick Planning Sidebar — TCR by Region (High Season)
(Planning rate: ฿36 ≈ US$1 — refresh quarterly.)
| Region | Typical HS TCR (pp) THB | USD (≈) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangkok (premium) | 5,900–8,800 | $164–$244 | Thai CC/Alpine upper band |
| Pattaya (premium) | 6,400–9,200 | $178–$256 | Siam CC/Chee Chan upper band |
| Hua Hin (mixed) | 4,900–6,900 | $136–$192 | Sea wind + AM dew |
| Phuket/Samui (premium) | 7,000–9,500 | $195–$265 | Heat; carts common |
| Chiang Mai/Chiang Rai (premium) | 4,700–6,800 | $131–$189 | Cool AMs; grain + slope |
If you’re balancing comfort and value, the best time to golf in Thailand guide helps you pick months and manage early starts.
Putting It All Together (One-page Checklist)
Before you book
- Confirm caddie mandatory/optional and cart policy
- Ask what’s included vs paid on site
- Align the group on tip norms and cash needs
At the course
- Check in; record caddie number
- First tee briefing (units, reads, pace)
- Carry small bills (฿100/฿20) for tipping
During the round
- Ask for grain & wind cues
- Let faster groups through
- Keep phones quiet on greens
After the round
- Settle fees at pro shop
- Tip discreetly and directly (standard 400–600 THB; more in rain/exceptional)
- Note caddie number if you’d like to re-book
FAQs
Are caddies mandatory in Thailand?
At many premium clubs, yes. Even where optional, hiring a caddie improves pace, read quality, and the whole day.
How much should I tip?
Standard is ฿400–600 for 18 holes, rising to ฿700–1,000 for rain, heat, or exceptional reads/service.
Can I request the same caddie again?
Yes—keep the caddie number and request it during booking or at check-in. Availability depends on schedules.
Do caddies drive carts?
Often, yes—depends on club policy. Either way, they’ll stage the cart to keep you moving.
What if a read doesn’t fit my eye?
Thank them, choose your line, and roll with it. The key is clarity and a friendly tone.
Is tipping cash only?
Usually, yes. Club fees can go on a card; tips are cash handed directly to your caddie (or via an envelope if the club uses them).
Bottom line: Treat Thai caddies as the professionals they are—brief clearly on the first tee, lean on their grain and paceexpertise, and tip with quiet sincerity. Your scorecard, your group’s rhythm, and your post-round mood will all be better for it.