Written by George Keklik, Certified Golf Tournament Planner Golf Tournament Association of America (GTAA). George helps event organizers across the country plan and outfit their outings. Have a question about your event? Reach out and ask him directly.

Why contests matter for your outing

Contests are the engine of a good outing. They give players something to chase on every hole, they give sponsors fun places to put their name, and at a fundraiser they bring in money beyond registration. Three ways games raise money:

• Pay to play. Players buy in to mulligans, the putting contest, a raffle, or a string. Small amounts add up fast across a full field.
• Sponsorships. A business backs a contest hole for naming rights and signage. Their fee often covers the prize and then some.
• Underwritten prizes. When a sponsor or insurance covers the prize, every entry dollar becomes profit for your cause.

Every contest at a glance

Here is a quick map of the contests organizers run most, what each needs, and how each one makes money.

How many contest holes to plan

Plan roughly four to six dedicated contest holes across your 18. A good spread is two par-3 closest-to-the-pin holes, one or two long-drive holes on wide par 4s or 5s, and one hole-in-one hole, plus a separate putting contest at the clubhouse. Space them out so groups do not bunch up and pace of play stays smooth.

Classic on-course contests

These are the contests players expect, and they are the easiest to run and to sponsor.

Closest to the pin

On a par 3, the tee shot that finishes closest to the hole wins. Set a marker by the green where players write their name and distance, then beat it or leave it. It is simple, it is always a crowd favorite, and it is one of the easiest holes to sell to a sponsor. Run a separate prize for men and women.

Longest drive

Pick a wide, straight hole and mark the longest drive that stays in the fairway. Players move the marker when they beat it. Like closest to the pin, give it its own sign and consider separate winners by group so more players have a shot at a prize.

Straightest drive and longest putt

Two easy add-ons. Straightest drive measures the shot nearest the center line of the fairway, which gives the steady player a moment in the sun. Longest made putt on a chosen green rewards a hot putter. Both need only a marker and a sign.

Big-prize contests and hole-in-one insurance

A headline prize gives your outing buzz. The trick is offering something big without risking your own budget.

Hole-in-one contest

Choose a par 3 and offer a major prize for an ace, such as a car, a cash sum, or a vacation. You do not fund the prize yourself. You buy hole-in-one insurance, pay a one-time premium, and the insurer pays out if someone makes the shot.

Hole-in-one insurance, prizes, and the rules

This is the part organizers most often get wrong, so plan it carefully. You pay a premium up front, and the insurer covers the prize. Premiums usually run from 200 to 1,000 dollars. A common quote is around 345 dollars for a 10,000 dollar prize, or about 400 dollars for a 20,000 dollar prize, covering a field of roughly 100 to 144 players. The qualifying hole usually must be at least 150 yards, and some insurers require 165 yards for the main men's prize. Insure any prize you cannot afford to pay out of pocket, and never self-fund a real car.

• Witnesses. Station two neutral volunteers at the tee to verify any ace. Insurers require it.
• Distance. Confirm the hole meets the insurer's minimum yardage, typically at least 150 yards, and 165 yards for some main-prize tees.
• Sponsor it. Sell the hole-in-one hole to a sponsor. Their fee often covers the premium, so the contest pays for itself.

Beat the pro

Hire a local pro or strong player to sit on a par 3. Players pay to take them on, and anyone who lands closer to the pin than the pro wins a prize. It is a fun draw and a steady earner across a full field.

Money-raising games

These games exist to raise money, and they do it quietly all day long.

• Mulligans. Sell do-over shots before the round, usually 5 to 20 dollars each, often two for 10 dollars. Cap them at two per player to keep things fair. A field of 100 players buying two each at 10 dollars adds about 2,000 dollars with almost no cost to you.
• String game. Sell string by the foot, then players cut off length to move their ball out of trouble or into the cup. It is pure profit and a lot of fun.
• Raffle and ball drop. Sell numbered tickets for a prize draw, or sell numbered golf balls and drop them over the green, with the closest to the cup winning. Both are simple and reliable.
• Hole of fortune. A spin-the-wheel hole where players pay for a chance at a perk, like a forward tee or a free putt.

Putting and short-game contests

Short-game contests run near the clubhouse, so they catch players before and after the round and keep the energy up.

• Putting contest. Charge 5 to 10 dollars for three balls at a long putt. Award the winner part of the pot and reset for the next player. A move-the-ball-back format keeps it going.
• Chipping contest. Pay to chip at a target. Quick to run and easy for any skill level.
• Speed putt or alternative putter. Fun variations that reward a steady hand and keep the line moving.

How to add sponsors to every contest

Every contest is a place to put a sponsor's name, and a sponsor often covers the prize so all your entry revenue is profit. Build it into your packages.

• Naming rights. Sell the contest by name, such as the company closest-to-the-pin or the company hole-in-one. Print it on the contest sign.
• Hole signage. Every sponsor needs a sign they can see on the course. A tee sign with their logo at the contest hole is the basic unit.
• Prize underwriting. A sponsor donates the prize in exchange for recognition. That keeps your entry fees as pure fundraising.

We produce custom hole signs, tee signs, and sponsor banners for outings. Tell us your contest list and your sponsors and we will quote your signage. Ask George for a signage quote.

Prizes and winner awards

A prize that feels made for the day means more than a gift card. For contest winners and the winning team, a personalized award turns a small win into a story players take home. That is where Groovy Golfer can help.

• Contest winners. Personalized golf accessories and premium gifts for closest to the pin and longest drive. Browse personalized golf gifts and golf tumblers.
• Winning team. A set of matching personalized gifts for the low team, made for your event. Start with our golf gift sets and golf tournament gifts.
• Ready-made prizes. Golf gift baskets make easy, impressive contest prizes.

Frequently asked questions

What games should you play at a golf tournament?

The most popular are closest to the pin and longest drive on designated holes, a putting contest near the clubhouse, and a hole-in-one contest. Add money-raisers like mulligans, a beat-the-pro hole, and a raffle to keep all skill levels engaged and raise funds.

How many contest holes should a golf tournament have?

Plan about four to six dedicated contest holes per 18. A good mix is two par-3 closest-to-the-pin holes, one or two long-drive holes, and one hole-in-one hole, plus a separate putting contest at the clubhouse. Space them out to keep pace of play moving.

How much should you charge for mulligans?

Most outings sell mulligans for 5 to 20 dollars each, often two for 10 dollars, and cap them at two per player to keep play fair. At 100 players buying two each at 10 dollars, that is about 2,000 dollars added with almost no cost.

How does hole-in-one insurance work and what does it cost?

You pay a one-time premium and the insurer pays the prize if a player makes an ace, so you can offer a big prize without risking the money yourself. Coverage usually runs 200 to 1,000 dollars, with a common quote around 345 dollars for a 10,000 dollar prize on a hole of at least 150 yards.

How do golf tournament games make money for a fundraiser?

Games raise money three ways: pay-to-play entries like mulligans and putting contests, contest sponsorships with naming rights, and prizes underwritten by sponsors so entry revenue is pure profit. A single putting contest can net 1,500 to 2,000 dollars.

What are good prizes for golf tournament contests?

Award personalized golf gifts and premium accessories for hole contests, gift baskets for closest to the pin and longest drive, and a headline prize like cash or a car, covered by insurance, for the hole-in-one. Personalized winner gifts and trophies make the awards feel made for the day.

Related reading: 17 fun golf tournament hole ideas, golf tournament formats, how to plan a golf outing, and our full range of golf tournament gifts.