Home ⛳ Guides ⛳ Caddies
THE GUIDES · VERIFIED JUNE 2026
Caddies, decoded
The caddy is the best thing about Thai golf and the #1 question first-timers ask. Here's the system: who they are, what they cost, what to tip and how not to embarrass yourself.
HOLE 01 — THE FEE
What the course charges
The caddy fee goes on your bill and mostly goes to the course. Verified June 2026:
| Course | Caddy fee / 18 |
|---|---|
| Plutaluang Navy | ฿300 |
| Bangpra · Mountain Shadow · Crystal Bay · Eastern Star · Greenwood · Emerald | ฿350 |
| Treasure Hill | ฿380 |
| Phoenix Gold · Burapha · Khao Kheow · Pattana · Pleasant Valley · Pattaya CC | ฿400 |
| Laem Chabang · Chee Chan · St Andrews 2000 · Silky Oak · Rayong Green Valley | ฿450 |
| Siam Country Club (all four courses) | ฿500 |
HOLE 02 — THE TIP
The number that actually matters
The cash tip is your caddy's main income. Four independent 2025–26 sources agree on the bands:
฿400
The acceptable minimum for 18 holes. Under this is noticed — and not kindly. For 9 holes: ฿200–300.
฿500–600
The standard. What most regulars pay, and what Siam CC's own guidance starts at. Tip toward the top of this in Nov–Mar when caddies work double loops.
฿700–1,000
Excellent service, a saved scorecard, a memorable day. At the cheapest local courses ฿300–400 remains acceptable.
HOLE 03 — HOW IT WORKS
The system, in seven facts
The caddy fee on the bill goes to the course — the cash tip is the caddy's main income
Tip in Thai baht cash, handed directly to the caddy after the round; never left in the cart or via a third party
Caddies wear numbered vests — note the number and request the same caddy next round
They club you, read greens, give lines and yardages, rake bunkers, clean clubs, hold the umbrella and keep pace
At Siam CC the caddies also drive your compulsory individual cart; Phoenix Gold sells a two-tier caddy (standard 400 / 'pretty caddy' 800)
Tip toward the higher end Nov–Mar when caddies work multiple loops
Societies formally police caddy respect — Bunker Boys members get warned or expelled for it
HOLE 04 — ETIQUETTE
Don't be that golfer
Do
Tip every round, in baht, handed over with a thank-you. Have the cash ready before the 18th. Return the wai. Say so when a read saves you a shot. Tip higher in high season.
Don't
Tip in foreign currency. Leave money in the cart. Hand it via a third party. Blame the caddy for your swing. Treat caddies disrespectfully — the societies formally police this, and members have been expelled for it.
HOLE 05 — STRAIGHT ANSWERS
Asked every week
Are caddies compulsory in Thailand?
Effectively yes — one caddy per player at virtually every course, charged ฿300–500 on the Eastern Seaboard. At Siam Country Club the caddies also drive your compulsory individual cart.
How much should I tip my caddy?
฿400–600 per 18 holes is the 2025–26 standard — 400 is the acceptable minimum, 500–600 is most common, 700–1,000 says the round was special. Cash, Thai baht, handed directly to your caddy after the round. Siam CC's own guidance: gratuities start at ฿500.
What does a Thai caddy actually do?
Club selection, lines off the tee, exact yardages, green reading, bunker raking, club cleaning, umbrella service and pace-keeping. Many have worked the same course for years — on a first visit, their reads are worth more than a rangefinder.
Can I request the same caddy again?
Yes — caddies wear numbered vests. Note the number and ask for it next time; courses accommodate where they can (some charge a small ~฿100 request fee).