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

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

A golf tournament isn't just about golf—it's about creating memorable experiences for players, guests, and sponsors. Add games, contests, raffles, wine pulls, food stations, auction experiences, and photo ops to make your event stand out. The more interactive and fun your tournament is, the more revenue and repeat attendance you'll see.

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

For the full golf fundraiser guide—checklist, ball drop, platform—see golf fundraiser guide.

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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

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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. 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.

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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 1–3 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.

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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

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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

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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

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More resources

• Golf fundraiser guide – Checklist, ball drop, tournament ideas, platform
• Golf tournament fundraiser checklist – Comprehensive planning timeline
• Golf ball drop fundraiser – How to run a golf ball drop
• Corporate fundraising ideas – Sponsor packages and in-kind
• How to run a raffle fundraiser – Formats and legal requirements
• Charity auction software – Tickets, check-in, raffles, auctions
• Create your event – No credit card required

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This guide is maintained by CharityAuctions. For the full golf fundraiser guide, see golf fundraiser guide. Questions? Talk to our team.