Golf tournaments are a tremendous way to raise vital funds for nonprofit organizations. There are so many in the busy summer months that sometimes they can all feel like the same tournament over and over. That is why we’re here with fun golf tournament ideas to take your event from drab and normal to fun and successful.
Whether you have a participant joining your tournament for the first time or returning for the fifteenth, making your event stand out is essential. It’s the best way to ensure that participants will be back for more in the years to come, which means more funds are raised for the important work you do every day.
7+ Fun Golf Tournament Ideas and Games
Let’s dive into these seven fun golf tournament ideas and games that will not only raise more money for your organization but will set your tournament apart from the rest.
- Create a golf tournament theme
- Shake it up with golf contests
- Compete before teeing off
- Host a Flamingo Hole
- Encourage Sponsor surprises
- Host a great after-party
- Don’t forget to say thank you and wrap it up
Create a Golf Tournament Theme
Why not have fun with a golf tournament theme? Start from the beginning with the tournament invitation and carry your theme through the day of the event. If your nonprofit organization works with kids, create a theme around the kids. Or if you’re raising money for a school’s sports program, theme the tournament around different types of sports. Charity golf tournaments are held for many causes. This is an opportunity to have fun with your theme while highlighting why you’re raising funds for your mission. Even corporate golf tournaments can be enhanced with a fun tournament theme.
Have the theme start with the invitations (both paper and online), carrying through to the signage at the tournament to the centerpieces on the table at lunch or dinner. By ensuring that your theme is consistent and present throughout the campaign, you are making an impact on your donors and golfers and driving home your fundraising purpose and need.
Shake Up the Way They Play with Golf Contests
Yes, you can have the teams head out onto the golf course and play their round of golf just like any ordinary day on the course, or you can have them shake it up a bit. Vary the scramble format with golf tournament contests. ‘Longest Drive’, ‘Closest to the Pin’, or ‘Beat the Pro’ contests add style to your golfing so that there’s an element of surprise, competition, and out-of-the-ordinary playing that makes your golf tournament more entertaining. These contests can be included in the entry fee, or participation tickets can be sold separately for additional revenue.
Selling mulligans is another excellent way to add fun and funds. Mulligans offer golfers an extra chance at a shot – and cost your organization nothing! Create mulligan packages for sale on your golf tournament website and at check-in.
Compete Before Even Teeing Off
Before your players even place a ball on a tee, host a contest. Set up a putting contest on the practice putting green for prizes. Even if someone has the best short game, yet not the strongest long game, they will be up for golf tournament prizes and a little healthy competition. Another contest to start with can be Best Dressed or similar, depending again on your tournament theme. We have one tournament on July 4th every year where all the players wear fun Red, White and Blue outfits to show their love of country and have fun.
Host a Flamingo Hole
Catch your golfers by surprise and pick a hole on the front and back nine with a flamingo at the tee. That’s right, a pink plastic flamingo at the tee indicates that they have to tee off standing like a flamingo. It’s a fun way to see how well they do and adds an element of surprise when they least expect it. If your golfers are game, posting an event photographer here will give your organization some great images to add to next year’s promotional materials. This is the kind of fun golf idea that creates a signature event that your supporters will remember.
Encourage Sponsor Surprises
Having sponsors support your golf tournament is a great way to increase the financial support of your mission. But why not consider ways to engage the sponsor at the golf event? This will keep your sponsors returning from year to year, as they can promote their business while having fun.
Hole sponsors are a great way to add revenue by placing a sponsor’s flag on each of the 18 holes. Rather than just having a hole sponsor for every hole, have a sponsor surprise participants randomly on certain holes with prizes and incentives for top play. As you create your sponsorship opportunities and track your success using the right software, this may be a perfect opportunity for a Board Member or volunteer that is also a sponsor. It allows them to engage with the tournament participants while uniquely showcasing their business and sponsorship.
Bring on the Post-Party Fun!
When the golfing is done, you have a group of tired and hungry players on your hands. This is the perfect opportunity to shake things up and have a little fun. Instead of the usual plated chicken dinner or lunch, why not create an atmosphere of fun and celebration? Hire a DJ or a band to entertain your participants. (Of course, you’ll need to get approval and organize this with the golf club.)
Create a menu with flair and fun, like a taco stand or food stations from around the world. Just because you’ve always had the same menu for years doesn’t mean it has to stay that way. Nothing says ‘fun golf tournament’ like a DJ and a taco bar! Don’t forget to host a silent auction and fundraising raffle. Purchasing unique travel packages for these events can add to the excitement.
DoJiggy offers fundraising raffles and charity auction websites to make it happen.
Bring Your Mission to Life in the Tournament Follow-Up
Your successful tournament has ended, and you’ve raised a tremendous amount of money for your mission. With a story like this, there’s magic in the follow-up. The follow-up will be seamless if you’ve tracked all of your participants, donors, and sponsors with golf tournament management software.
Create a thank you card that not only brings the theme of your event full circle but also brings your mission to life. Share a story from a program you run or have a handwritten note from someone your work has touched. By creating an environment of gratitude and stewardship, your golf tournament participants will not only know exactly where the funds are going, but you’ll also set yourself apart from the other golf tournaments with a mission-centered thank-you note.
These are just a few fun golf tournament ideas that you can use to make this year’s golf tournament new and mission-centered.
If you want to raise more money with your tournament (and who isn’t?), see our golf fundraising ideas.
Utilize the Industry-Leading Golf Tournament Software
To set yourself up for success year after year, our golf tournament registration software can be just the element that sets your golf outing apart. Your tournament website allows you to register players and foursomes, manage sponsorships, and sell products. Products can include mulligans, raffle tickets, or other contest tickets mentioned above. Heading into your tournament this year, sign up for free, give it a try, and see how seamless the process from registration to thank you can be.
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