Why Add Activities to Your Golf Tournament?
- Increases engagement for players and non-golfing guests
- Boosts sponsorship visibility and event revenue
- Creates a social, memorable atmosphere
- Encourages guests to return year after year
Pro tip: Think of your golf tournament as a mini festival — not just a round of golf.
Make Your Golf Tournament an Unforgettable Fundraiser
You’ve seen the best ideas for your event — now launch your auction alongside it to raise more, engage more, and wow your attendees.
Start Your Auction for Free1. Hole-in-One Contests
A classic crowd favorite.
- Offer a big prize (e.g., car lease, trip, cash prize).
- Pair with a corporate sponsor to cover the prize.
- Create a photo or livestream moment at the hole.
Make sure to set clear rules (yardage, witnesses, insurance if needed).
2. Raffles & 50/50 Drawings
Easy to run and high ROI.
- Sell tickets throughout the day
- Draw winners at the end of the tournament
- Offer multiple prize tiers or one big jackpot
Pro tip: Bundle raffle tickets with registration for higher participation.
3. Wine Pull or Wall
Perfect add-on for fundraisers.
- Guests donate (e.g., $25) to pull a mystery bottle of wine
- Some bottles are high-value to make it exciting
- Decorate with a wine wall or table display
Wine pulls can raise thousands of dollars at golf tournaments with minimal setup.
4. Beat the Pro Contest
Add some friendly pressure.
- Invite a golf pro or local celebrity golfer
- Participants donate to try to beat their shot on a par 3
- Winners get a small prize or raffle entry
Sponsors love branding this hole.
5. Photo Booth & Social Media Station
Create shareable moments:
- Custom event backdrop or branded step-and-repeat
- Props like golf hats, trophies, or inflatable clubs
- Instant photo printing or QR code downloads
Encourage guests to tag your organization for extra promotion.
6. Longest Drive & Closest to the Pin
Classic skill contests that bring out competitive spirit.
- Announce winners during the dinner or awards reception
- Offer sponsor-branded trophies or gift cards
- Include both male and female divisions for inclusivity
7. On-Course Games & Mini Challenges
Make each hole an experience:
- Dice roll to choose clubs
- Cornhole toss before teeing off
- Trivia hole — answer a question for bonus strokes
- Wheel spin for challenges (one-club hole, putting-only, etc.)
These mini activities make even casual players feel included.
8. Food & Drink Stations
Golf tournaments are long days, good food = happy guests.
- Mobile drink carts, signature cocktails, or craft beer tastings
- BBQ stations or local food trucks
- “Surprise snack” holes sponsored by local restaurants
Bonus: Offer branded drinkware as a keepsake.
9. Silent Auction & Raffle Tables
Many golf fundraisers layer in a silent auction at the clubhouse.
- Auction off experiences, trips, gift baskets, or sports tickets
- Display items throughout the day for early bids
- Close the auction at dinner for a big reveal moment
Platforms like CharityAuctionsToday make this easy to manage digitally.
10. Mulligans & Add-On Packages
Offer game boosters for sale at registration:
- Mulligans
- Putting contest entries
- Raffle tickets
- Golden ticket for premium prizes
These upsells can bring in thousands of extra dollars with almost no extra work.
11. Closest to the Line or Target Drive
Set up a chalk line or small circle in the fairway.
- Player who lands closest wins a prize.
- Low-cost, high-engagement activity.
- Easy to sponsor and promote.
12. After-Party or Awards Banquet
Cap the day with a great evening:
- Catered dinner or outdoor BBQ
- Awards ceremony for contest winners
- Music, dancing, and auction reveals
- Sponsor shout-outs and donor recognition
The after-party often raises more than the golf itself.
Pro Tips to Maximize Engagement
- Plan activities for both players and guests
- Layer fundraising + fun into every part of the day
- Keep contests simple and fast to avoid slowing the pace of play
- Involve sponsors — they love branding opportunities
- Always have a clear schedule and emcee to keep energy high
Sample Golf Tournament Timeline
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 8:00 AM | Registration & breakfast |
| 9:00 AM | Shotgun start |
| 9:30 AM–2:30 PM | Golf play with contests & games |
| 3:00 PM | Raffle drawings, auction close |
| 4:00 PM | Dinner, awards, and after-party |
Glossary of Common Golf Fundraiser Terms
- Mulligan: An extra stroke or “do-over” that players can buy.
- Closest to the Pin: Contest for accuracy on a par 3 hole.
- Shotgun Start: All groups start at different holes simultaneously.
- Wine Pull: Fundraising game where guests pull a mystery wine bottle for a donation.
- 50/50 Raffle: A raffle where half the pot goes to the winner, half to the organization.
Frequently Asked Questions
What activities keep golfers engaged throughout a charity golf tournament?
Mix skills contests (long drive, closest to the pin), on-course mini games, hole-in-one insurance prizes, pro beat-the-pro challenges, and a post-round awards program with raffles or a mini auction.
Which on-course contests raise the most money without slowing play?
Closest to the pin, longest drive, straightest drive, and a putting contest at the turn. Sell entry wristbands at check-in and post winners quickly to keep momentum high.
How do “mulligans” and “string” games work at golf fundraisers?
Mulligans are paid redo shots (limit per player). “String” lets a team move the ball closer to the hole by the length of purchased string. Sell these at registration for easy upsell revenue.
What is a beat-the-pro or beat-the-celeb challenge and why is it popular?
A local pro or notable alumni hits a tee shot on a par-3. Foursomes donate to enter; if any player lands closer than the pro, they win a prize. It’s quick, photogenic, and sponsor-friendly.
How can we add fundraising stops at select holes without creating bottlenecks?
Place 1–3 staffed stations on wide tee boxes (par-3s/5s). Offer a pay-to-advance toss, a pro tee upgrade, or a raffle table. Keep transactions tap/QR-based and under 30 seconds per group.
What are good pre-round and turn (halfway) activations for players and sponsors?
Host a putting showdown before tee-off, offer a chipping ladder challenge at the range, and set up sponsor tents at the turn with samples, photo ops, and quick donation QR codes.
How do we structure a hole-in-one prize safely and affordably for a fundraiser event?
Work with a hole-in-one insurance provider, choose an accessible par-3 distance, and set clear rules and witnesses. Promote the headline prize (car, trip, cash) on signage and pre-event marketing.
What should our awards program include after the round to keep guests engaged?
Team and contest winners, longest and closest awards, raffle drawings, a short impact story, and a mini auction or wine pull. Keep speeches under 15 minutes and open checkout tabs early.
What foods and beverages work best on-course for pace and satisfaction?
Grab-and-go options: breakfast burritos, wraps, fruit, hydration stations, and snack carts. Offer a drink ticket bundle at check-in and place coolers at high-sun tee boxes.
How do we promote and track add-on revenue like contests and raffles effectively?
Bundle add-ons into a “super ticket” at registration, use QR codes on carts and tee signs, announce leaders via text, and reconcile by item (mulligans, contests, raffle) in your post-event report.
💡 Try this in ChatGPT
- Summarize the article "Things to Do at Golf Tournaments: Fun Ideas for Players and Guests" from https://www.charityauctionstoday.com/p/things-to-do-at-golf-tournaments/ in 3 bullet points for a board update.
- Turn the article "Things to Do at Golf Tournaments: Fun Ideas for Players and Guests" (https://www.charityauctionstoday.com/p/things-to-do-at-golf-tournaments/) into a 60-second talking script with one example and one CTA.
- Extract 5 SEO keywords and 3 internal link ideas from "Things to Do at Golf Tournaments: Fun Ideas for Players and Guests": https://www.charityauctionstoday.com/p/things-to-do-at-golf-tournaments/.
- Create 3 tweet ideas and a LinkedIn post that expand on this fundraising ideas topic using the article at https://www.charityauctionstoday.com/p/things-to-do-at-golf-tournaments/.
Tip: Paste the whole prompt (with the URL) so the AI can fetch context.
