Putting together a charity golf scramble is a powerful way to raise money for a good cause while giving everyone a fun day on the course. It’s an incredibly rewarding undertaking, but it does require careful thought and organization. This guide breaks down the entire process into manageable steps, moving from the earliest planning stages to the day-of execution, to help you make your event a huge success.
The Foundation: Planning Your Charity Scramble
Success on the golf course starts long before the first swing, and the same is true for a successful tournament. A solid foundation of planning is your setup for a great day. This is where you set the vision and create the roadmap that will guide all your decisions moving forward.
Establish a Clear Goal and a Budget
Before you book a course or print a single flyer, you need to know what you’re trying to accomplish. Start by asking two big questions:
- What is our fundraising target? Be specific. A clear financial goal (e.g., “raise $15,000 for the local animal shelter”) gives your committee purpose and helps you make decisions about entry fees and sponsorships.
- How many players do we expect? Most courses accommodate between 72 and 144 players. This number will influence your choice of venue and your budget.
Once you have a goal, it's time to build a preliminary budget. This doesn't need to be perfect, but it should be realistic. Think about your potential expenses:
- Golf Course Fees: This will be your biggest line item. It typically includes green fees, cart rentals, and sometimes range balls.
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Will you provide breakfast, lunch, or a post-round dinner? Don’t forget about on-course drinks. -
Budget for prizes for the winning teams and on-course contest winners. -
Hosts for flyers, banners, and tee box signs for your sponsors. -
Little extras for each player. (Tip: Try to get these items donated!) -
A small contingency fund for unexpected costs.
Select a Date and a Golf Course
Your choice of date and venue can make or break your event. When picking a date, pull out a calendar and look for a clear opening. Avoid major holidays, big local sporting events, or other community fundraisers that might compete for participants. While a weekend might seem ideal, consider a weekday. Many courses offer significantly lower rates for events held Monday through Thursday, which can dramatically help your bottom line.
When selecting a course, look for a partner, not just a property. Contact a few local courses and speak to their event or tournament coordinator. This person will be your best friend throughout the process. Here’s what to look for:
- Experience: Has the course hosted charity scrambles before? An experienced coordinator will have a ready-made playbook and can offer invaluable advice.
- Appropriate Difficulty: Your event will likely have golfers of all skill levels, from beginners to scratch players. Choose a course that is fun and playable for everyone, not one that is famously difficult.
- Good Facilities: Does the clubhouse have enough space for your post-round meal and awards ceremony? Is there a good practice range and putting green?
- Cost and What’s Included: Get a clear quote on the price per player and find out exactly what it includes. Do they help with contest setup, scoring, or sponsor sign placement?
A person or team focused solely on finding and managing sponsors.-
Marketing & Player Registration:
The team in charge of getting the word out and signing up foursomes.-
This group handles registration, volunteers, and coordination with the golf course on the day of the event.-
A creative person who can source donations for prizes and player gifts.
- Title Sponsor ($5,000+): The main event sponsor. Their name is everywhere: "The ABC Company Charity Golf Classic." Often includes a couple of free foursomes and top billing on all signage.
- Dinner or Lunch Sponsor ($2,500+): Exclusive sponsorship of the post-round meal. Includes prominent signage in the dining area and recognition during the awards ceremony.
- Cart Sponsor ($1,000+): Their logo is placed on every golf cart in the tournament.
- Hole Sponsor ($250-$500): The most common form of sponsorship. The business gets a sign with their name and logo placed at a tee box.
- Email Marketing: Blast the event information to the charity's supporter email list and encourage your committee members to send it to their own contacts.
- Social Media: Create an event page on Facebook. Share details about the charity, showcase sponsors as they sign up, and create a countdown to the event day.
- Flyers: Print professional-looking flyers and ask to leave them at the host golf course, local businesses, and community centers.
- Event Website: Make it easy for people to sign up and pay. Use a service like Eventbrite, GolfGenius, or a dedicated page on the charity's website. A smooth online registration system is a must.
- All four players on the team hit a tee shot.
- The team decides which of the four shots is the best one.
- All four players then pick up their balls and play their next shot from the location of the best shot.
- This process is repeated for every shot until the ball is in the hole.
- Mulligans: This is a must. At registration, sell mulligans (do-over shots) for $5 or $10 each, or a "package" of 3 for $20. This is pure, direct profit for your charity.
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Designate a fairly open, long hole for a longest drive contest. Have one for men and one for women. A simple stake and marker in the fairway are all you need. -
Pick one or two par-3 holes for this. A measuring tape is a must. The first group through places a marker by the ball closest to the pin, and subsequent groups move it only if they get closer. -
Set up a long, tricky putt on the practice green. Charge players $5 per attempt before or after their round. The person who makes it (or gets closest) wins a big prize split the pot with the charity.
- Connect with the Course Staff: Have a final check-in with your contact to confirm the start time, meal schedule, nd any special arrangements.
- Set Up the Registration Table: This is your command center. Have organized lists of players and teams, a cash box for day-of payments and mulligan sales, and all the necessary information for the players (schedules, rules sheets, scorecards).
- Deploy Sponsor Signage: Drive around the course and place all your sponsor signs at the designated holes. Take photos to send to sponsors as a thank you!
- Prepare Carts and Goodie Bags: Work with the course to put player names on carts and scorecards inside. Place a goodie bag in each cart for a nice welcoming touch.
- Registration: Welcome everyone with a smile. Make the check-in process quick and efficient. Have volunteers on hand to answer questions and direct players to the range, putting green, and their carts.
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Pre-Round Announcements:
Gather everyone about 15 minutes before the start time. Welcome the group, loudly and clearly explain the scramble rules, and enthusiastically thank your Title Sponsors. The course pro will then typically announce the "shotgun start." - '
On-course Activity:
If possible, have volunteers driving around with water or snacks. It's a great touch that shows you're thinking about the player's comfort. -
Post-Round Awards & Celebration:
The day doesn't end on the 18th green. The post-round meal and auction is your final chance to connect with players. Keep the awards presentation snappy and fun. Announce the winning teams and contest winners, thank everyone again - players, sponsors, the course, and especially your volunteers - and close out the day by sharing a preliminary total of how much was raised for the cause.
Form an Organizing Committee
Trying to organize a golf tournament by yourself is a surefire way to get overwhelmed. You need a team. Assemble a small, dedicated committee of volunteers who believe in the cause. Assign clear roles to avoid confusion and ensure everything gets done. Consider creating sub-committees or leads for:
Building the Buzz: Promotion and Registration
With your plan in place, it’s time to fill the field and raise the money. Effective promotion and a well-structured sponsorship program are the engines of your fundraising.
Set the Right Entry Fee
Calculating the per-player or per-foursome entry fee is a balancing act. It needs to be high enough to cover your costs and generate a meaningful donation for your charity, but not so high that it discourages people from signing up. A good formula is:
(Course Cost Per Player) + (Food/Beverage Cost Per Player) + (Desired Donation Per Player) = Entry Fee
Most charity scrambles range from $125 to $300 per player. Be very clear in your marketing materials about what this fee includes, for example: “Your $175 entry fee includes 18 holes of golf, shared cart, range balls, lunch, and a player gift bag.”
Raise Serious Money with Sponsorships
While player fees can cover your costs, sponsorships are where you generate the bulk of your profit for the charity. Local businesses are often eager to support good causes and get their name in front of the community. Create a tiered sponsorship package an offer a range of options:
Always spell out exactly what each sponsor gets for their contribution. This professional approach makes it easier for businesses to say "yes."
Promote Your Event Effectively
You can have the best plan in the world, but it doesn't matter if no one knows about it. Use a multi-channel approach to get the word out:
The Fun Part: Scramble Rules and On-Course Contests
The energy of a charity event is what makes it memorable. The scramble format is perfect for this, as it keeps play light and fun, but adding a few on-course contests can take the experience to the next level.
Breaking Down the Scramble Format
The beauty of a scramble lies in its simplicity and teamwork. It's the ideal format for an event with players of varying abilities. Here’s how it works:
This format allows beginners to contribute without feeling pressure, speeds up the pace of play, and generally leads to some very low, fun scores.
Add On-Course Fundraisers and Contests
On-course contests not only add an extra layer of fun but also serve as another avenue for donations. Some popular choices include:
Game Day: Nailing the Logistics
This is it - the day you've been planning for. Smooth execution is all about preparation and communication. A well-run event leaves players feeling valued and excited to return next year.
Before the Players Arrive
Your committee should arrive at the coure several hours before the event's start time. Use a checklist to make sure nothing is missed:
Crafting a Great Player Experience
From arrival to departure, your job is to make your guests feel welcome.
Final Thoughts
Organizing a charity golf scramble involves a lot of moving parts, but with clear goals and a detailed plan, you can create a memorable and impactful event. From setting your budget and finding sponsors to managing the day’s logistics, the goal is always to stay organized and focus on creating a fantastic, fun-filled atmosphere for your players.
For many guests at your scramble, especially newer golfers, thinking about strategy or tough shots can feel a bit overwhelming. A good day on the course is built on confidence, and that's something we aim to provide. With a companion like Caddie AI in their pocket, your participants can get expert advice whenever they need it, from simple club recommendations to help on a difficult lie. We find it helps players feel more prepared and confident, so they can focus on what matters most: enjoying the day and supporting your wonderful cause.