You have finally booked your first tee time. You have your clubs in the trunk of your car, and you are pulling into the parking lot of the golf course.

But suddenly, panic sets in.

Do I park first? Do I walk into the building carrying this massive heavy bag? Where do I go?

The physical logistics of arriving at a golf course cause massive anxiety for beginners. Golf courses have a very specific “flow” that nobody ever bothers to explain to new players.

Here is exactly what you should do from the moment your tires hit the parking lot, answered in a quick Q&A format so you can walk in looking like a seasoned veteran.

Q: Where do I park when I get to a golf course?

A: When you first pull into the parking lot, do not park your car yet.

Look for a small loop or a designated curb directly in front of the main building (the Clubhouse). This area is called the “Bag Drop.”

Pull your car up to the Bag Drop. A course employee (often called a Cart Attendant or Outside Services) will walk up to your car. Pop your trunk. They will physically take your golf bag out of your trunk for you and set it on a stand, or load it directly onto a golf cart.

Once your bag is out of the car, you drive away and find a normal parking spot. You now get to walk up to the clubhouse completely empty-handed and stress-free!

Q: Do I have to tip the bag drop guy, and how much?

A: Yes, it is customary to tip the bag drop attendant.

As a general rule, hand the attendant $2 to $5 in cash for grabbing your bag out of your trunk. Make sure you keep a few small bills in your wallet specifically for this when you go to the course.

Q: Do I bring my golf bag inside the clubhouse?

A: No, you should never bring your golf bag inside the main building (the Clubhouse or Pro Shop).

Your bag stays outside. Now that you are parked, walk into the main building empty-handed and look for the “Pro Shop” (it usually looks like a retail clothing store). Walk up to the counter and tell the attendant your name and your tee time to pay for your round. (“Hi, checking in for Smith at 10:30 AM.”)

The attendant will give you a paper receipt. Keep this receipt.

Q: How do I get my golf cart and find my clubs?

A: Walk back outside to the cart staging area. There is usually an employee standing there holding a clipboard (this person is called the “Starter”).

Show them your paper receipt. They will point you to exactly which golf cart is yours. Remember where the attendant put your golf bag earlier at the bag drop? Your bag should now magically be strapped to the back of your designated golf cart.

Hop in your cart! You now have your clubs, your transportation, and you are officially checked in.

Q: What do I do while waiting for my tee time?

A: You usually check in about 30 minutes before your actual tee time, which means you have time to kill. Do not just sit in your cart staring at your phone.

Drive your golf cart over to the “Putting Green.” This is a large, highly manicured area of grass with several holes cut into it near the clubhouse. Grab your putter and a few golf balls out of your bag and hit practice putts. This allows you to feel how fast the grass is before you actually start keeping score on the real course.

Q: When am I supposed to go to the first tee box?

A: About 5 to 10 minutes before your scheduled tee time, drive your cart to the “1st Tee.”

There will likely be a group of people standing there waiting to hit. Wait quietly in your cart until it is exactly your scheduled time, or until the Starter calls your name.

When it is your turn, step up to the tee box, take a deep breath, and hit your first shot.

By understanding this exact flow—Bag Drop -> Pro Shop -> Cart -> Putting Green -> First Tee—you eliminate all the anxiety of arriving at the course!