Brent Kelley, About Guide to Golf, offers these guidelines:
Valet -- Tip the same as you would at a restaurant that has valet parking...$2 would be a good amount.
Bag Drop -- The golf course equivalent of the airport skycap or hotel bellhop. They take your clubs from your car and place them on the golf cart at the time of your arrival. A couple bucks, maybe $5 if you want to make sure they assist you after the round ... or you're trying to impress somebody.
Starter -- No tip for the starter unless he/she is doing something special for you. Most starters simply check you in at the first tee, maybe announce that it is your turn to play. There really is no service involved ... *unless* you show up without a tee time and the starter fits you in. Or, if you're staying somewhere for several days, you can check with the starter upon arrival and see if they can get you preferred tee times throughout your stay. In that situation, a good tip is called for. A group of four might tip a starter $50-$100 for such help. But if you already have a tee time and no special service is performed, then no tip required for the starter.
Bag Boys - End of the Round -- The guys (or gals) who take your clubs off your cart, clean out the cart to return it to the cart garage. They might also clean your clubs, and should take them to your car. A couple bucks for each; $5 if one cleans your clubs.
Caddies -- If caddies are being used, then you're at a fancy place and already expecting to spend a lot of money. Tip a caddie 50 percent of the caddie fee. If there's a caddie master -- the person who assigns caddies to golfers or groups -- you can ensure getting a good caddie by tipping the caddie master 20 percent of the caddie fee.
Forecaddies -- These people don't carry anyone's bags. One forecaddie will be assigned to a group of four, and will move ahead of the group to keep track of everyone's shots. They may offer advice, direct golfers around the course, etc. A forecaddie should get one tip from the group, from $50-$100.
