How to Make a Golf Tournament Fun

Your next golf tournament can be more than just 18 holes of polite applause and standard team photos. With a bit of creative planning, you can transform a typical golf outing into a memorable event that players talk about long after the final putt drops. This guide will walk you through practical, easy-to-implement ideas covering everything from play formats to on-course games and atmosphere, ensuring your tournament is the one everyone wants to attend next year.

Choose a Format That Maximizes Fun for Everyone

The standard four-person scramble is popular for a reason: it allows golfers of all skill levels to contribute and feel part of a team. However, even this classic format can be spiced up, and exploring alternative formats can inject a whole new level of energy into your event.

The Classic Scramble, But Better

In a scramble, all four team members hit a tee shot. The team chooses the best shot, and all four players take their next shot from that spot. This continues until the ball is holed. It’s a great baseline, but let’s make it more interesting.

• The String Game: Give each team a length of string at the beginning of the round - say, 15 feet. At any point, they can move their ball without penalty by measuring the distance with the string. Want to get out of the rough? Snip off a couple of feet. Need to finish that tricky 3-foot putt? Cut off three feet of string and consider it holed. Once the string is used, it’s gone for good. This introduces a fun layer of strategy and saves teams from those frustrating near-misses.
• The "Everything but Pars" Mulligans: Instead of selling simple mulligans, offer a "Get Out of Trouble" package. For a set donation, a team might get two traditional mulligans, one length of "magic string," and one "throw." The throw allows one player to get out of a sand trap or a tough spot by literally picking up the ball and tossing it. This is a fantastic fundraising tool that also adds a lot of laughs.
• Forced Club Holes: Designate a few specific holes where players must use a less-than-ideal club. For example, on a short par-4, mandate that everyone must tee off with a 7-iron. Or, on a single par-3, declare it a "putter-only" hole (tee shot included). This levels the playing field and creates some hilarious situations.

Alternative Formats That Shake Things Up

If you're feeling adventurous or have a crowd that’s played in dozens of scrambles, consider one of these engaging alternatives.

• Shamble: A fantastic blend of team and individual play. Like a scramble, all players tee off, and the team chooses the best drive. From that spot, however, every player plays their own ball for the rest of the hole. You might record the one or two best individual scores for the team on that hole. This lets top players show off while still giving beginners the advantage of a good drive.
• Bingo Bango Bongo: This is a points-based game that runs parallel to regular scoring, keeping every player engaged no matter how they’re scoring. On each hole, a point is awarded for three achievements:
  • Bingo: The first player on the green.
  • Bango: The player whose ball is closest to the pin once all players are on the green.
  • Bongo: The first player to putt out.
  The team with the most points at the end wins a prize, rewarding strategy and pace of play, not just low scores.
• Vegas or Money Ball: Give each team one brightly colored "money ball" at the start. One player must play with this ball on each hole, rotating every hole. When it’s your turn with the money ball, your score on that hole is a major component of the team’s total. If the team loses the money ball, they are disqualified from the main prize. This adds a ton of pressure and excitement to every shot when it's your turn. Just make sure to have replacement money balls available for a small "charitable donation."

On-Course Activities and Contests are a Must

Sprinkling the course with mini-games gives every participant more chances to win and creates memorable moments. Go beyond the standard Longest Drive and Closest to the Pin.

Go-To Contests with a Twist

• Longest Putt Contest: Designate a specific green - usually a par 5 to give players more time on the green - as the Longest Putt hole. Have a measuring tape and a placard ready. The first team to make a significant putt writes their name and the distance down. Every subsequent team tries to beat it. This builds excitement throughout the day as stories of incredible putts filter back to the clubhouse.
• Beat the Pro (or Local Hotshot): Station a talented golfer (your local club pro, a college player, or a top amateur) on a par-3 tee. For a small donation to your cause, players can bet they’ll hit their shot closer to the pin than the pro. If they win, they double their betting money in raffle tickets or earn a special prize. It adds a professional touch and a fun, head-to-head competitive element.
• The Accuracy Challenge: Ditch the "Longest Drive" for the "Straighest Drive." Paint a line down the middle of a fairway. The drive that finishes closest to the line wins, rewarding precision over pure power. This gives shorter, more accurate hitters a chance to shine.

Purely for Fun and Laughs

• Marshmallow Driving Contest: On one tee box, provide a bowl of jumbo marshmallows. The contest is simple: who can hit a marshmallow the farthest? It’s surprisingly difficult, hilarious to watch, and a complete reset for players who might be taking thing a little too seriously.
• Hilarious Photo Scavenger Hunt: Give each team a checklist of funny photos to capture during their round. Ideas include:
  • The whole team posing like a famous band.
  • A ball in an "unplayable" lie (in a flowerbed, next to a squirrel, etc.).
  • The best mid-swing "action shot."
  • A photo with the beverage cart staff.
  Award bonus points for creativity and share the best photos at the awards ceremony.
• The Weird Putter Challenge: On one hole’s green, have a basket with a non-traditional putter - a pool cue, a kid's plastic putter, or even a croquet mallet. The team has to use this tool for all their putts on that green. It's a guaranteed way to produce some laughs and groans.

Great Atmosphere Creates Great Memories

The experience off the course is just as important as the one on it. Focus on creating a welcoming, high-energy environment from arrival to the awards banquet.

Before You Tee Off

• Set the Tone with a Theme: Themes are an easy way to get people talking and into the spirit of the day. A "Rock 'n' Roll Open" with classic rock music, a "Loudmouth Pants Invitational," or a simple "Wear Your Favorite Sports Team Jersey" Day encourages participation and gives the event a personality.
• Great registration = a great start: Have upbeat music playing as guests arrive. Ensure the registration process is smooth and quick. Have volunteers on hand not just to check people in, but to answer questions and greet people with a smile.
• Swag Bags People Actually Want: Instead of the generic sleeve of balls and a cheap divot tool, think quality over quantity. A branded premium towel, a high-quality stainless steel water bottle, a gift card to a local coffee shop, or unique golf-gadgets make a much better impression.

During the Round

• A World-Class Beverage and Snack Game: A slow or poorly stocked beverage cart is a fun-killer. Ensure you have plenty of water and standard drinks, but also include a signature cocktail or a local craft beer. Think beyond chips for snacks – maybe a "roaming chili dog station" at the turn, or volunteers handing out frozen popsicles on a hot day.
• Music on the Course: Have small, solar-powered Bluetooth speakers at key contest holes or snack stations. A bit of light, upbeat background music can break the silence and keep the energy levels high without being a distraction.

The Post-Round Celebration

• Fast and Fun Awards Ceremony: Players will be tired and hungry after a long day on the course. Keep the awards ceremony brief, energetic, and professional. Recognize your sponsors clearly and thank everyone for coming.
• Give Out Fun Awards: In addition to the winners, hand out a few light-hearted awards. “Most Honest Golfers” for the highest score, “Shortest Drive,” or the scavenger hunt champions. This ensures more people leave with a prize and a smile.
• Don't Skimp on the Food: This is a big one. Bad barbecue or a flimsy buffet can overshadow an otherwise great day. Invest in good food. Whether it's hiring a couple of popular food trucks, having a high-quality catered meal, or a fantastic cookout, a satisfying post-round meal is what people will remember.

Final Thoughts

Creating a truly fun golf tournament is about focusing on the player's experience at every turn. By shifting the focus from pure competition to shared enjoyment with creative formats, engaging contests, and a lively atmosphere, you can guarantee your event is a success.

While handling the logistics keeps you busy, helping your players feel confident on the course can elevate their experience. When a golfer faces a nasty lie in the rough or is unsure of the strategy on a blind hole, they can feel a little lost. With our app, Caddie AI, your participants can get instant, expert advice right in their pocket. They can even snap a photo of a tricky shot for a recommendation, turning potential frustration into a confident swing - which helps make the day more enjoyable for everyone.