Ettiquette Question - Is a gift for my pro appropriate?

[johnnylongball]

My pro recently called another club (extremely nice place, Top 100 club) and arranged a tee time for me. I have been a member of my club for 3 years and this is only the 2nd time I have asked him to do this for me. The other time he got us on somewhere, it wasn't a club that was particularly noteworthy.

 

My question for the forum is this: is it appropriate or customary to give him some gift for this favor, or is this not considered any sort of imposition at all and a gift is completely unnecessary? What do most of you do in this situation?

 

If a gift is appropriate, what would you suggest? Bottle of wine/scotch?

 

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

 

JLB

[Sawgrass]

Sounds like your pro made an effort that's "above and beyond" to me. How can you go wrong by giving him/her a gift?

BTW, maybe ask an associate of the pro's what the pro likes to drink. A nice bottle of scotch would be wasted on me!

[NickPhillips]

I think a gift is not required, but either wine/scotch would be a nice gesture.

[firstbatch]

Heck yea......a git certificate for dinner at nice local place is a great "thank you gift" and one your pro can share with his wife or girl friend!

[C. Freeman]

I think Sawgrass nailed it. If my handicap drops this season like I hope it will, then I'll follow the same advice.

[ckates7]

We need people in this world to pay it forward. I would absolutely get him some alcohol of his choice. Kudos to you for paying it forward!!

[rvgolfer]

Another way and more subtle way of paying him back would be to just go in and buy something nice from him in the pro shop. I actually like this approach better than a gift. He is actually doing his job by helping you get the tee time, and buying something has a similar effect, he supports you,,you support him.

[benkodi]

rvgolfer, if he doesn't own the shop (as very few clubs still have this type of arrangement in place) it won't do his pro any good. I like a gift cert to a local restaurant or wine/scotch if you know his tastes. Additionally, a handwritten lettter to the head pro at the accomodating club after your round there would be a nice gesture. Be certain to throw a nod to to your head pro in said letter.

[EdL]

[quote name='benkodi' timestamp='1363957640' post='6663229']
rvgolfer, if he doesn't own the shop (as very few clubs still have this type of arrangement in place) it won't do his pro any good. I like a gift cert to a local restaurant or wine/scotch if you know his tastes. Additionally, a handwritten lettter to the head pro at the accomodating club after your round there would be a nice gesture. Be certain to throw a nod to to your head pro in said letter.
[/quote]

Getting your pro a gift is a nice thing to do. Doing a little legwork behind the scenes to find out what he likes is a good idea too. I think the letter to the pro at the accommodating club is a nice touch as well. Shows your appreciation to all involved, represents your club well and maybe puts you in good graces for future opportunities. Can't get enough good karma.

[jwm1]

My handicap dropped a lot after last season and even though I pay a lot for lessons, the pro doesn't get all of it. Showing some gratitude at Christmas was greatly appreciated and hopefully I bought some golf god favor for 2013. Sounds like you also know the right thing to do to show you appreciate your pro's efforts.

[sirparalot]

A sign of thanks, whether a gift card, a nice bottle of his favorite drink or whatever you feel is appropriate is exactly what you should do. Its just the right thing to do. If I have a great round after my pro and I work on something I immediately go back to him after the round and show him my appreciation through an extra tip or gift (usually his favorite single malt). Yes I know I paid for the lesson but my good result deserves celebration and he deserves to be part of it. You can never over tip for over the top service and you can never say thank you enough to people who go out of their way to make good things happen for you.

[pgagreg1]

when in doubt, error on the side of generosity and you can never go wrong

[johnnymac2201]

He will definitely appreciate this show of gratitude.