10+ Fun Golf Tournament Games to Shatter Your Goals

Combine the excitement of a golf tournament with the joy of giving back to your community and watch your nonprofit’s event fundraising goals come to life!

But why settle for just hitting the mark? You want to go above and beyond. That’s where innovative and engaging golf tournament hole ideas come into play. The opportunities are endless, from theming your golf tournament to adding fun mini-games throughout a standard course.

Let’s look at our favorite games to upgrade your next golf tournament:

As you read through these golf outing games, consider your audience’s skill level and what would appeal most to their interests. Mix and match ideas or adapt them to support your nonprofit’s fundraising goals!

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Classic Golf Tournament Hole Ideas

Classic golf tournament games, also listed below

1. Mulligans

In competitive gameplay, second chances are everything! Mulligans allow your tournament players to take another swing without counting the previous shot against their score. To turn this into a revenue-generating opportunity, consider the following strategies:

  • Pre-sell mulligans online during registration to boost early fundraising.
  • Bundle mulligans with event perks, like drinks or snacks, to increase appeal.
  • Incorporate mulligans into fun challenges, like a raffle or closest-to-the-pin contest.
  • Offer mulligans as part of sponsorship packages, creating added value for your partners.
  • Promote mulligans during the event with signage or through emcees to drive last-minute purchases.

Your nonprofit can seamlessly integrate mulligans into the ticketing process or give guests the convenience of purchasing them right from their phones anytime with mobile-optimized golf fundraising software.

2. The Pink Ball

This fun, straightforward golf tournament idea adds excitement and team spirit to any game. Each team shares a pink ball, taking turns using it at each hole and recording the score of the player using the ball. The catch? If the pink ball is lost, the team is eliminated! The team with the lowest score at the end wins the challenge.

Boost camaraderie by letting donors register as teams beforehand or shake things up by assigning teams at the event. Either way, ensure everyone is part of a team to foster a sense of community throughout the tournament!

3. Hole-in-One Contest

Capitalize on the thrill of a hole-in-one by setting up a classic contest. Choose a par-3 hole on your course for the challenge and invite golfers to try to sink the ball in just one stroke.

Offer an enticing prize, such as branded merchandise, new golf gear, or even a cash prize sponsored by one of your corporate partners. If multiple golfers score a hole-in-one, raise the stakes with a bonus challenge to determine the ultimate winner.

 

4. Closest to the Pin

Test your golfers’ skills with a “Closest to the Pin” contest on a par-3 hole. The golfer who lands their ball closest to the hole wins! To keep things exciting, leverage the Golf Event Management solution by OneCause to display a leaderboard to maintain momentum.

Here’s why this game is an excellent addition to your charity golf outing:

  • Engages all skill levels: It’s a challenge anyone can attempt, creating inclusivity and fun for all participants.
  • Boosts fundraising potential: Charge a small entry fee for the contest to generate additional revenue for your cause.
  • Enhances sponsor visibility: Offer sponsorship opportunities for the contest and include branded signage or prizes.

Adding this contest enhances your event’s entertainment value and creates more opportunities to connect with donors and raise funds!

Closest to the pin is one of our favorite golf tournament hole ideas.

Most Competitive Golf Tournament Games

Most competitive golf tournament games, also listed below

5. Beat the Pro

This charity golf outing game takes a little more planning but can deliver big rewards, like higher donor engagement, greater publicity, and more revenue, to name a few! Have an experienced golfer stationed at a par-3 hole for a “Closest to the Pin” contest. Golfers can then donate to enter the contest and compete against the pro.

If the golfer lands their shot closer to the hole than the pro, they win a corporate-sponsored prize. If the pro wins, the donations collected from the participants will go straight to your nonprofit.

6. Hire-a-Pro

Hire-a-Pro is the perfect game to engage participants and give your event a competitive edge. Here’s how this works:

  • Station your golf pro at the most challenging hole on the course, ideally one requiring a long drive or precision shot.
  • Set a price per shot, such as $10–$40, for golfers to pay the pro to take a swing on their behalf.
  • Allow golfers to keep paying the pro to take additional shots on the hole, maximizing their chances and your fundraising potential.
  • Streamline donations with mobile-optimized fundraising software so golfers can quickly contribute and stay focused on the game.

7. Marshmallow Drive

Add lighthearted competition to your golf outing by designating a “marshmallow hole” out on the course. Arrange for volunteers to hand out marshmallows to each golfer; whoever hits theirs the farthest wins a prize!

Consider these prize ideas to spark excitement:

  • Golf balls
  • Golf club covers
  • Golf towels
  • Reserved parking spot at the golf course

Your organization can also combine a few of these prizes to create a golf-themed gift basket. This adds excitement and offers a great opportunity for sponsors to showcase their support by contributing branded items.

8. Speed Drive

With speed golf, strokes and minutes count equally, so your participants must move fast and swing precisely to win! To bring more energy to this challenge, consider these ideas:

  • Add creative obstacle challenges such as inflatable tunnels, water traps, and target zones.
  • Organize relay races where players take turns completing sections of the course, passing a baton or marker to the next teammate.
  • Incorporate themed challenges like a “blindfolded shot” or “one-handed swing” to add variety and entertainment.

To take your event even further, display a leaderboard with your golf event management solution to keep the energy levels high.

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Fun Golf Tournament Hole Ideas for All Skill Levels

Fun golf tournament games, also listed below

9. Hole of Fortune

Surprise your golfers with a Wheel of Fortune! Set up a colorful wheel at one of the holes, offering a mix of fun rewards and challenges.

A few ideas include:

  • Automatic hole-in-one
  • Extra strokes
  • Blindfolded swing
  • Silly dance before their next swing

To boost fundraising, consider having golfers donate $5 to $10 for a chance to spin again. This is an easy way to increase earnings and keep the fun going!

10. Frisbee Golf

To make your golf outing unique, try using a frisbee! The concept is like traditional golf, but participants throw frisbees toward targets instead of hitting golf balls.

Frisbee golf opens your event to a wider audience. Encourage your usual donors to bring their children for a more relaxed, family-friendly version of the traditional golf outing.

Here’s why Frisbee Golf could be the right addition to your charity golf outing:

  • Encourages greater participation: By creating a more casual, approachable event, you’ll attract a broader audience, including families and younger donors.
  • Adds variety to your event: Diversify your outing by offering Frisbee Golf alongside traditional golf to cater to different interests and energy levels.
  • Customizable for fundraising: Charge an entry fee for Frisbee Golf or add fun challenges like “longest throw” or “most accurate shot” to raise additional funds.

11. Opposite-Handed Sets

Lefties become righties, and righties become lefties in this creative golf tournament challenge. Designate one or several holes where golfers must try using opposite-handed golf clubs. A par-3 hold is ideal, offering a fair chance to complete the hole in as few strokes as possible.

Use this fun idea for a putting contest to make it a little simpler for your golfers. Whichever way you decide to put this together, clearly mark the spots where the contest will occur. Place markers by the holes, such as colored tape or small flags, to guide participants on when to switch hands.

12. Blindfold Putting Challenge

Imagine the thrill and laughter as your golfers attempt to sink a putt – while blindfolded! Here’s how it works:

  • Set up a designated area that’s safe, obstacle-free, and on the green for players to give their best shot.
  • Award a special prize to the participants who made the hole in just one stroke.
  • Offer golfers the opportunity to donate for another chance to play!

This will surely put the “fun” in your charity golf FUNdraiser!

Get Started with OneCause

Maximize the success of your charity golf event with new, innovative fundraising tools designed to simplify planning and elevate the experience. With the OneCause Fundraising Platform, you can access a robust Golf Event Management solution that drives efficiency, engages participants, and amplifies your impact.

Whether your golf outing is a standalone event or combined with a gala, OneCause empowers you to:

  • Sell sponsorships with foursome tickets included
  • Auto-create teams based on ticket type and ticket owner
  • Manage everything from scrambles and shotgun starts
  • Assign courses, starting holes, and cart numbers
  • Support single or multiple course events
  • Sell mulligans and other fixed-price items
  • Track players’ scores and display on the leaderboard
  • Message players with key info post-check-in and during the event

All from one place! To learn more, take a personalized tour of the software.

All New OneCause Fundraising Platform

TAKE A TOUR

Elevate Your Golf Tournament Fundraiser

A golf tournament fundraiser is the perfect way to cultivate and steward relationships with supporters and maximize giving. By incorporating creative hole ideas, you can elevate the experience, increase engagement, and drive better fundraising results for your organization.

Interested in learning more about profitable nonprofit fundraising events? Check out these additional resources:

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