Tipping in Thailand Golf – What Golfers Should Know Before Their Round

18 December 2025

Tipping is one of the most common questions golfers ask before playing in Thailand. Whether you’re teeing off in Phuket, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Bangkok, or Chiang Mai, knowing how tipping works will help you feel prepared and avoid awkward moments. In Thailand, tipping is polite, appreciated, and an important part of the golf experience — especially when it comes to caddies.

At Fairways of Eden, we work closely with courses and caddie masters across the country. This guide explains exactly how much to tip caddies, when to tip, and how tipping works for other services such as drivers, restaurant staff, massage therapists, and hotel teams during your golf holiday.

Tipping Caddies in Thailand & Why Caddies Rely on Tips

Thai caddies do far more than carry your bag. They prepare your clubs, drive the golf cart, clean equipment, give yardages, read greens, help with strategy, keep you cool, offer encouragement, and guide you through unfamiliar courses. Their base salary is modest, and tipping makes up a meaningful part of their income.

Good caddies can save you strokes, boost your confidence, and make your round more enjoyable from start to finish. Tipping is therefore both expected and appreciated.

How Much Should You Tip?

The standard tip for 18 holes is 400–600 THB. This is considered polite, appropriate, and appreciated at every course in Thailand. If your caddy provided exceptional service — great course knowledge, perfect green reading, or simply a fun and memorable round — many golfers tip 700–1,000 THB. On hilly, physically demanding courses (especially in Phuket), higher tips are also common.

When and How to Tip Your Caddie

You tip your caddy directly after the round. Most golfers hand the tip personally at the bag drop area or next to the cart return. Caddies usually respond with a warm “wai,” Thailand’s traditional gesture of thanks. Avoid leaving the tip in the cart; always give it directly to the caddy. From November to March, caddies work more rounds, walk more kilometres, and spend longer shifts in the heat. Many golfers choose to tip on the higher end during this period, though it is not required — simply appreciated.

Can You Request the Same Caddy Again?

Yes. Just take note of their caddy number (printed on their vest). Tell Fairways of Eden, and we’ll request your favourite caddy for future rounds whenever possible.

Tipping Other Staff in Thailand (Golf, Transfers, Hotels & Restaurants)

Golfers often ask about tipping beyond the course — especially because Thailand’s hospitality culture is warm, helpful, and service-oriented. Here is what’s common and recommended during a golf holiday.

Tipping Other Golf Course Staff

At many clubs, bag handlers, locker room attendants, and cart cleaners receive small tips. These are optional but appreciated, usually around 20–50 THB for simple support and 50–100 THB if there was extra help. You don’t need to tip every staff member individually — just when you feel it’s deserved.

Tipping Transfer Drivers

For pre-booked transfers arranged through Fairways of Eden, tipping drivers is optional but a nice gesture. A typical tip is 50–100 THB for shorter transfers and for airport runs or longer drives. If a driver helps with heavy luggage or golf bags, a small extra tip is appropriate.

Tipping Taxi, Grab, or Bolt Drivers

Thailand does not have a strong tipping culture for taxis — but rounding up the fare or giving 20–40 THB extra is polite and always appreciated. For longer rides or exceptional service (helping with luggage, waiting for you, detours), a slightly higher tip is welcome.

Tipping in Restaurants

In many restaurant bills, a service charge (usually 7–10%) is already included. If you see it listed, tipping extra is optional. If there is no service fee, consider leaving 10% of the bill if the service was good. Even small extra amounts are appreciated, as Thai wages in food service are modest.

Tipping Hotel Staff

At hotels, tipping works similarly to other tourist countries. A small tip is common for luggage assistance (around 20–50 THB per bag) and housekeeping (around 20–50 THB per day). Front desk staff are generally not tipped unless they provide special assistance.

Tipping at Spas & Massage Shops

Thailand is famous for affordable massages — and tipping is very common. For a 60 or 90-minute massage, the typical tip ranges from 50–100 THB, and often up to 150–200 THB for excellent service at higher-end spas. Masseuses rely heavily on tips and always appreciate kindness and respect.

Fairways of Eden Makes Everything Easy

Tipping is a simple but important part of golf and travel culture in Thailand. Once you understand the basic etiquette, the process becomes natural — and your appreciation goes a long way. When booking your golf holiday through Fairways of Eden, we guide you through tipping expectations, course-specific advice, and cultural nuances so that every round feels comfortable, respectful, and enjoyable.

👉 Start planning your Thailand golf holiday today with Fairways of Eden.

Additional Information from Fairways of Eden:

• All About Golf Caddies in Thailand
• Golf Etiquette in Thailand
• Explore All Thailand Golf Courses