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Golf tournament guide

Things to Do at Golf Tournaments: Fun Ideas for Players and Guests

Last updated: August 2026 · By Tom Kelly, CEO of CharityAuctions.com
TL;DR

Things to do at golf tournaments: hole-in-one, raffles, wine pull, beat-the-pro, photo booth, longest drive, on-course games, food stations, silent auction, mulligans, and interactive experiences.

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Guide overview

Things to Do at Golf Tournaments: Fun Ideas for Players and Guests

Things to do at golf tournaments are activities, contests, games, and fundraising additions that engage players and guests beyond the round of golf itself. The most successful charity golf tournaments layer hole contests, silent auctions, raffles, wine pulls, and interactive experiences throughout the day to maximize both enjoyment and revenue. According to CharityAuctions.com, golf tournaments that add a silent auction raise an average of 45% more total revenue than those running golf and raffle activities alone. This guide covers 12 proven activities for players and guests plus a full framework for maximizing revenue at every stage of the day.

Pro tip: Think of your golf tournament as a mini festival, not just a round of golf.

For the full golf fundraiser guide including checklist, ball drop, and platform options, see golf fundraiser guide.

Why activities matter

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

According to CharityAuctions.com platform data:

  • Golf tournaments that add a silent auction raise an average of 45% more total revenue than those running golf and raffle activities alone
  • Tournaments that offer mulligan and add-on packages at registration generate an average of 22% more per-player revenue than those selling add-ons on the day
  • Golf fundraisers that run a mobile silent auction during the round see 38% higher auction revenue than those opening bidding only at the dinner reception
  • CharityAuctions.com has helped 50,000+ nonprofits run golf tournaments, live events, and fundraising auctions since 2007

See charity auction ROI benchmarks for full data on what charity golf tournaments raise when auctions and raffles are added.

12 tournament ideas

12 things to do at golf tournaments

1. Hole-in-one contests

A classic crowd favorite.

  • Offer a big prize (car lease, trip, cash)
  • Pair with a corporate sponsor to cover the prize
  • Create a photo or livestream moment at the hole
  • Set clear rules (yardage, witnesses, insurance if needed)

Work with a hole-in-one insurance provider for car or trip prizes. Golf tournament fundraiser checklist covers insurance timing.

2. Raffles and 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. How to run a raffle fundraiser covers formats and legal requirements.

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. It's quick, photogenic, and sponsor-friendly.

5. Photo booth and 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. Text participants their images for easy sharing.

6. Longest drive and 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 and 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)

These mini activities make even casual players feel included. Limit skill attempts per golfer to keep pace of play.

8. Food and 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. Grab-and-go options (breakfast burritos, wraps, fruit) work well for pace.

9. Silent auction and 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

Charity auction software makes this easy to manage digitally. Use mobile bidding for charity auctions so players can bid from their phones between holes throughout the round. Silent auction item ideas for inspiration.

10. Mulligans and 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. Bundle into a "Golfer Pack" at a slight discount vs. à la carte.

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. Add a paddle raise or fund-a-need appeal after the awards ceremony while room energy is highest, to capture a final wave of donations before guests leave.

PS: Open mobile bidding at registration so players bid between holes. Build a private demo for the team.

Interactive extras

Interactive experiences for fundraising golf tournaments

Interactive experiences engage participants on a deeper level and open opportunities for additional donations and sponsorships. They transform a traditional tournament into a lively, memorable occasion.

Live leaderboards and mobile scoring

Live leaderboards bring excitement. Participants watch their progress in real time. Mobile scoring apps let golfers and spectators follow the event on their devices. Technology keeps everyone engaged and informed throughout the game.

Social media challenges

Create unique hashtags. Participants share photos and updates online. This expands the event's reach to attendees' networks. Prizes for the most creative posts or highest engagement motivate sharing.

Themed holes and sponsored challenges

Themed holes add an exciting twist. Sponsors can design holes aligned with their brand: tropical, 80s, sports. Sponsored challenges (longest drive, hole-in-one) at these holes attract competitive spirits and add a dynamic edge.

Branded merchandise and photo ops

Branded merchandise, caps, towels, golf balls with sponsor logos, leaves a lasting impression. Photo ops with branded backdrops give participants a memory and a way to share the brand socially. Both extend sponsor visibility beyond the tournament day.

VIP experiences and sponsor booths

VIP experiences, lounges, meet-and-greets, premium amenities, elevate the event for key participants. Sponsor booths become interactive hubs where companies showcase products or offer demonstrations. Sponsor booths can include tasting stations, samples, and quick donation QR codes.

Pre-round and turn activations

  • Putting showdown before tee-off
  • Chipping ladder challenge at the range
  • Sponsor tents at the turn with samples, photo ops, and quick donation QR codes

Place 1 to 3 staffed stations on wide tee boxes (par 3s or 5s). Offer a pay-to-advance toss, pro tee upgrade, or raffle table. Keep transactions tap/QR-based and under 30 seconds per group to avoid bottlenecks.

Food and beverage tasting stations

Tasting stations provide a delicious detour. Local businesses can sponsor and showcase their offerings. Adds another layer for sponsorship and drives brand awareness in a relaxed setting.

Engaging non-golfers

Add spectator passes with hospitality, a clinic with a pro, lawn games, a silent auction, and tasting stations. A social-hour program lets supporters participate without playing 18 holes.

Pro tips

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
  • Use QR codes at tees for fast purchases and mobile checkout
  • Bundle add-ons into a "super ticket" at registration
  • Have a rain plan: indoor putting, relocate raffles and auctions to the banquet area

PS: Need help planning golf tournament auctions and raffles? Book a free planning call.

Sample timeline

Sample golf tournament timeline

Use this sample schedule to layer contests, raffles, and your auction close across tournament day.

  1. Registration & breakfast

  2. Shotgun start

  3. Golf play with contests & games

  4. Raffle drawings, auction close

  5. Dinner, awards, and after-party

Glossary

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: Half the pot goes to the winner, half to the organization
  • String: Lets a team move the ball closer to the hole by the length of purchased string
More resources

More resources

Free golf event setup

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Run registration, mobile bidding, raffle sales, and donation pages from one link. Players bid between holes. Close the auction at dinner for maximum urgency.

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Golf tournament activities FAQ

What are the best things to do at a charity golf tournament?

The 12 highest-impact activities at charity golf tournaments are hole-in-one contests, raffles and 50/50 drawings, wine pulls, beat-the-pro contests, photo booths, longest drive and closest to the pin competitions, on-course games and mini challenges, food and drink stations, a silent auction at the clubhouse, mulligan and add-on packages, closest to the line contests, and an after-party or awards banquet with a paddle raise. According to CharityAuctions.com, golf tournaments that add a silent auction raise an average of 45% more total revenue than those running golf and raffle activities alone.

What activities keep golfers engaged throughout a charity golf tournament?

Mix skill contests (longest drive, closest to the pin), on-course mini games such as dice rolls, trivia holes, and wheel spins, hole-in-one prizes, beat-the-pro challenges, and a post-round awards program with raffles or a silent auction. Add live leaderboards and social media challenges for extra engagement. According to CharityAuctions.com, tournaments that offer mulligan and add-on packages at registration generate an average of 22% more per-player revenue than those selling add-ons on the day.

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 are the fastest to run. Sell entry wristbands or include contests in a bundled Golfer Pack at check-in. Post winners quickly at the turn and again at dinner. Keep transactions QR-based and under 30 seconds per group to avoid pace-of-play issues.

How do we engage non-golfers and guests during the tournament?

Add spectator passes with hospitality, a clinic with a pro, lawn games, a silent auction open throughout the day, tasting stations, and a social-hour program so supporters can participate without playing 18 holes. A well-run silent auction and wine pull at the clubhouse can keep non-golfers engaged and giving for hours.

How do you add a silent auction to a charity golf tournament?

Set up a mobile silent auction on CharityAuctions.com and open bidding at registration so players can browse and bid from their phones throughout the round. Display printed item cards at the clubhouse and at sponsor tents during the turn. Close bidding at the dinner reception to create a final-round urgency moment. According to CharityAuctions.com, golf fundraisers that open mobile bidding during the round see 38% higher auction revenue than those opening bidding only at dinner. CharityAuctions.com is silent auction software that supports mobile bidding at golf tournaments at no upfront cost.

What is the most profitable activity at a charity golf tournament?

A silent auction consistently generates the highest additional revenue of any golf tournament add-on because competitive bidding drives prices above fair market value. The most profitable tournaments combine a silent auction with a paddle raise at the dinner reception, raffle ticket sales throughout the day, hole-in-one contests sponsored by a corporate partner, and mulligan packages sold at registration. According to CharityAuctions.com, golf tournaments that add a silent auction raise an average of 45% more total revenue than those running golf and raffle activities alone. See what is a paddle raise for how to sequence a live donation ask at the dinner reception.

What tech makes a golf tournament fundraiser run more smoothly?

Use QR codes at tees for fast purchases, mobile bidding so players can bid on auction items from their phones between holes, live leaderboards displayed at the clubhouse, and a photo booth with text-to-receive image delivery. Contactless payment at all activity stations eliminates cash handling and speeds up transactions. See mobile bidding for charity auctions for a full guide to setting up digital giving and mobile bidding at your golf tournament.

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