There’s an important golf tournament to-do that often gets lost in the shuffle of securing a golf facility, promoting the event, recruiting sponsors, registering golfers, and finalizing details: branding. And while it might just seem like just one more task to cross off your list, branding plays a critical role in the success of your golf event.

Branding your tournament is a key factor in its success! Project Purple uses consistent brand colors and the organization’s logo in its golf tournament branding.

Branding your tournament is more than just slapping your logo on a flyer and calling it a day. Strong, consistent branding can elevate your tournament in big ways, building credibility, making your event more recognizable, helping attract sponsors and participants, and giving you a more professional, polished look. 

Let’s break down why branding matters for your tournament and how to build a cohesive brand—no design degree required.

Why Branding Matters for Your Golf Event

1. It Builds Trust

A clean, consistent visual identity helps people take your tournament seriously. When your materials look polished, potential sponsors, golfers, and donors are more likely to want to be part of it. They see that you’ve put care and thought into your event, and they can assume the overall tournament experience will reflect that, too.

2. It Creates Recognition

If someone sees your tournament’s logo on a flyer, then again on a social media post or in an email, and again on a t-shirt—guess what? They’re more likely to remember it! Branding keeps your tournament top-of-mind, helping grow participation and support for your mission.

3. It Makes Your Event Stand Out

There are a lot of charity golf tournaments out there. And while that’s certainly not a bad thing, it does make it a bit harder to stand out. That’s where branding comes in. Good branding makes your tournament pop. Whether it’s a clever logo, a bright color scheme, or a unique event name, these elements help make your tournament memorable.

4. It Improves Your Marketing

Clear branding makes it easier for you and your team to create marketing materials that look good and work well. From social posts to printed flyers to digital ads, branding helps ensure your marketing efforts are cohesive and easily recognizable by potential golfers, sponsors, and supporters.

Your Tournament’s Brand: What It Should Include

There’s good news for tournament organizers who don’t have access to a designer or a creative team: you don’t need a huge style guide or agency-designed logo to build an effective brand for your charity golf tournament. Simply start with these key elements:

Event Name

Give your tournament a name that’s fun, catchy, and theme or mission-related to help the event stand out and be remembered. Some examples from tournaments powered by GolfStatus:

• Fairway to Heaven Memorial Golf Scramble

• Survive & Thrive Golf Classic

• Drive Out Hunger Golf Classic

• Tee Off for Hope

• Habitat FORE! Humanity

• Putt Putt Fore Puppies

• Drive to Cure Cancer Golf Classic

• Drive for Hope Golf Outing

• Teeing Up Tomorrow

• Chip In for Children’s Charity Golf Outing

• Birdies for Bravery

If your cause doesn’t lend itself to a punny name, don’t sweat—simply including your organization’s name or mission in the name can be just as powerful for branding.

Your tournament’s name and logo should appear on all promotional materials, including your event website.

Logo 

Use your nonprofit’s existing logo or create a unique one for your tournament. Keep it simple, scalable (so it looks good no matter where or what size it’s used), and legible. If you choose to create a separate logo specifically for the golf tournament, be sure that it complements your organization’s overall branding if and when they’re used together.

Color Palette

Choose two to three colors and use them consistently in all materials. Online tools like Coolors or Canva’s color palettes can help you narrow in on colors that look sharp and work well together. Again, it’s a good idea to choose a palette that’s in harmony with your organization’s logo so they don’t clash when used in tandem.

Typography

Stick with one or two fonts that are easy to read. You don’t need anything fancy, but it’s a good idea to avoid ornate script or overly decorative fonts. Consider using bold or all caps for headlines, and a clean sans-serif font for body text.

Imagery

Use consistent imagery, such as golf-themed icons or graphics, mission-related photos, or high-quality shots from previous golf tournaments. Bonus points if you can feature people having fun on the golf course!

Assemble imagery from past years’ golf tournaments that emphasize the event’s brand, like the above image from a glow-in-the-dark golf fundraiser.

Branding Tips for Non-Designers

You don’t need to be a design pro to create a great-looking brand for your charity golf tournaments. Try these tips:

Use Canva (Or a Similar Tool)

Canva is a non-designer’s best friend. It’s free (with an upgraded paid Pro version), easy to use, and packed with great-looking templates for flyers, social posts, email graphics, posters, and much more. You can upload your logo, save your colors and fonts, and keep everything consistent across your tournament’s promotional materials.

Create a “Mini” Brand Guidelines Document

Put all your tournament’s visual elements, including logos, colors, fonts, and a few sample images, in one simple document. This makes it easier to keep everything aligned and share with volunteers, board members, or sponsors helping with marketing. You might also consider creating a shareable Google Drive folder (or other file sharing platform like OneDrive or Dropbox) where the guidelines document and all the branding elements are stored for easy access.

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Free Templates

GOLF TOURNAMENT PROMOTIONAL FLYER TEMPLATES

Save time and create polished, professional-looking flyers to market your golf tournament with these free templates. These editable Canva flyer templates are designed to help you drive participation, boost event visibility, and make your tournament look great—no design skills required. 

Get the Templates

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Stick to Your Chosen Colors & Fonts

Resist the urge to go rogue with your design choices! Consistency is what creates a recognizable brand, so use the same colors, fonts, and design style everywhere, from your promotional emails to your event signage.

Make it Legible

Design rule number one: If people can’t read it, it doesn’t work. Use high contrast (think dark text on a light background), avoid crowded layouts and clutter (white space is your friend), and don’t overuse fancy fonts to make all your pieces as readable as possible. 

Use Your Branding Everywhere

Include your tournament logo on player gifts like koozies to reinforce the brand and make your event more memorable.

You’ve gone to the effort of creating a brand for your event, so make sure you use it everywhere! It should be front and center on:

• Your tournament website

• Flyers and posters

• Social media graphics

• Sponsorship packets

• Event signage and banners

• Staff and volunteer shirts

• Cart signs and scorecards

• Swag and giveaway items

Branding & Sponsorship Go Hand-in-Hand

Your tournament’s branding doesn’t just help you look good—it can also help you raise more money. A strong, professional look makes your event more attractive to sponsors. It gives them confidence that your tournament will be well-run and their logo and brand will be presented in the best possible manner.

When pitching tournament sponsorships, consider using branded mockups when possible to show how their logo will appear on signage, cart signs, or social posts. The better your branding, the easier it is for sponsors to picture their brand alongside yours.

Final Thoughts

Branding your golf tournament doesn’t have to be complicated. With a few simple elements and a little bit of consistency, you can create a strong, professional visual identity that builds trust, attracts attention, and sets your event up for success.

Even if you’re not a graphic designer, tools like Canva and clear intention can go a long way. And remember: good branding isn’t about being flashy, it’s about being clear, consistent, and authentic to your mission.

Need help streamlining the rest of your tournament? GolfStatus makes it easy to build out a professional-looking event website (complete with your branding), manage registrations, and handle sponsor visibility all in one place.

by Jen Wemhoff, Communications Manager at GolfStatus

Volunteers are a critical part of a successful charity golf tournament. Whether they’re helping with check-in, running contests, or handing out swag bags, volunteers keep things moving and help make it all possible. The must-dos to ensure a smooth experience for everyone involved? Planning ahead, staying organized, and showing your appreciation.

Here are seven tips to keep your volunteers happy, engaged, and ready to go on tournament day.

Effectively managing your golf tournament’s volunteers is key to its success.

1. START WITH A SOLID PLAN

The more prepared you are leading up to your golf tournament, the better your volunteer team will perform. Make sure you address these key areas:

• Define roles and responsibilities. Outline every volunteer role in detail, including specific duties, time commitments, and any skills required (like comfort with a tablet or event management software). Clear instructions and checklists help prevent confusion and ensure nothing falls through the cracks.

• Determine how volunteers will sign up. Linking out to your chosen sign-up on your event website is an easy way for volunteers to get involved with your event.

• Create a schedule with shifts. Charity tournaments can last four to six hours, not counting setup and teardown. Offering shorter shifts makes it easier for volunteers to commit and ensures you have coverage from start to finish.

• Assign lead volunteers. Designate a point person for critical areas like registration, food and beverage, or on-course games. These leads can help answer questions and solve small issues, so you’re free to focus on the big picture.

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Pro tip:

Ask volunteers to arrive at least 15 minutes ahead of their shift start time to get settled and receive any last-minute instructions.

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2. MAKE VOLUNTEER ONBOARDING A PRIORITY

A smooth onboarding experience builds confidence and helps volunteers feel connected to your mission. It doesn’t have to be time-consuming—just thoughtful.

Here’s how to do it:

• Collect information up front. When volunteers sign up, ask for contact info, availability, preferences, and any relevant skills. Let them pick roles or shifts that work for them.

• Host a kickoff meeting. Use this time to:

  • Share your organization’s mission and how volunteers are making a difference

  • Walk through the tournament schedule

  • Answer questions and build excitement

• Provide training materials. This could include:

  • Written step-by-step guides

  • Live or recorded demos for tasks like using software or managing contests

  • A quick overview of golf basics and etiquette

• Set expectations. Be clear about shift times, dress code, responsibilities, and who to contact with questions.

• Create a communication plan. Use email, group text, or a volunteer app to share reminders, updates, and check-ins before and during the event.

• Make it fun. Share wins from previous tournaments, encourage camaraderie, and build a sense of community. People are more likely to come back next year if they have a great time.
  

Provide volunteers with the training they need to take on their assignments with confidence.

3. Delegate with confidence

Trying to do it all yourself? That’s a fast track to burnout. Instead, strategically delegate tasks among your volunteers who are willing and able to help. When someone inevitably asks, “How can I help?” have a task or two ready to assign. Trust your volunteers to step up—remember, they signed on to help, so have the confidence that they’ll follow through on what needs to be done.

4. Keep systems organized

Whether you’re using a spreadsheet, Google Form, or a dedicated volunteer management tool, keep your systems tidy and accessible. Share access with your planning team and make sure everyone’s on the same page about who’s doing what, and when. You should also share access to your golf event management tool with key volunteers so they have access to up-to-date golfer, team, and sponsor information.

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free guide

This a-to-z guide outlines effective volunteer strategies for nonprofit golf fundraisers. Get ideas and tools to help leverage volunteer time, energy, and enthusiasm to execute a flawless golf event.

Get the Guide

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5. Communicate early & often

Once a volunteer signs up, send a confirmation email so they know what to expect. Then, provide all the details they’ll need ahead of the tournament:

• What to wear (and when/where to pick up any branded gear)

• When to arrive and where to park

• Where to check in and who to check in with

• What their assignment is, where they’ll be stationed, and what materials they’ll need

• Where and when they can grab food or drinks

• Shift start and end times

• Who to contact if they have questions or issues

Holding a volunteer meeting? In-person is great for camaraderie, but virtual briefings or even recorded videos are good alternatives for busy schedules.

6. Build in flexibility

Even the best-laid plans can go sideways. You might want to have a few “floater” volunteers on standby to fill in if someone cancels last-minute or if another area needs some extra help. Think through your backup plan in advance so you’re not scrambling on tournament day to cover assignments.

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Pro Tip:

Make sure your lead volunteers have been connected with the golf facility staff so they know who to go to if there are issues or questions on event day.

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Having a lead volunteer for things like golfer check-in frees tournament organizers up to engage with and thank golfers and sponsors.

7. Show appreciation

Remember, volunteers are giving their time and energy to support your cause, so show them some love.

• Provide meals, snacks, drinks, and a thank-you gift or token of appreciation.

• Recognize them during your awards or welcome remarks.

• Assign a planning team member to check in with volunteers throughout the day to see how they’re doing and offer support.

• Personally thank them during the tournament and send a handwritten thank you after the event.
  

Volunteers = A better tournament experience

Your volunteers, and how you manage them, can make or break your tournament day. Investing time in planning, onboarding, and communication will pay off in a smoother event and a group of happy volunteers who are excited to support your cause again.

Keep Your Tournament Running Smoothly With the Right Tech

The right event management tech can help your tournament run smoothly from planning, execution, and follow-up. GolfStatus’ golf tournament software is built to save organizers a ton of time and help raise even more money to support your mission. With time-saving automations, revenue-boosting sponsorships and add-ons, and access to a responsive support team seven days a week, GolfStatus helps you hold your best golf tournament yet. Best of all—nonprofits can get started at no upfront cost. Click below to book a meeting with one of our golf fundraising specialists to get started.

Book a Meeting With GolfStatus to Start Planning!

As golf season moves into high gear, tournament organizers like you are likely exploring avenues to boost revenue from your golf fundraiser. This blog series continues to outline various tournament components, add-ons, and strategies to raise as much money as possible from your golf tournament.

This guide will explore a popular addition to golf tournaments: auctions. Auctions are a common—and lucrative—complementary activity that can have great ROI for your nonprofit’s golf event.

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• Why Should My Nonprofit Run a Golf Charity Auction?

• What Types of Auctions Complement Golf Tournaments?

• How Do I Add an Auction to My Golf Event?

• What Are Some Best Practices for My Golf Charity Auction?

• What Are the Best Golf Charity Auction Items?

• Run a Golf Auction with GolfStatus

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Why Should My Nonprofit Run a Golf Charity Auction?

Auctions and golf tournaments go hand-in-hand. A combination of desirable items, low overhead costs, and a smooth experience can significantly increase your golf event’s overall revenue and further your nonprofit’s impact.

• Drive significant revenue from your event. An auction adds another source of income to your tournament, in addition to team registrations, sponsorships, contests, mulligan sales, raffles, on-course games, and other add-ons. You’ll not only diversify your event’s fundraising efforts, you’ll also drive additional revenue for your nonprofit. Competitive bidding, especially in a live auction, can drive up the final sale price of items, leading to increased fundraising outcomes. 

• Attract new participants. An auction can draw a wider audience to your tournament, including those who may not be interested in playing golf but want to support your cause in another way. Spouses or guests of golfers or sponsors may be eager to attend an auction, but not the rest of the tournament. High-end items also have the potential to draw additional teams to play in your tournament, so be sure to publicize the auction in your event marketing.

• Add excitement and engagement. Auctions add more fun and excitement to your tournament, encouraging golfers, sponsors, and guests to stay longer—and spend more. 

• Low-cost, high ROI. One way to keep your auction’s overhead costs low is to secure as many donated items as possible. Items purchased outright or on consignment come with a cost that eats away at your overall take from the auction, so engage your donor base, partners, vendors, and sponsors to solicit auction item donations and boost ROI.

• Adds more sponsorship opportunities to connect with local businesses. An auction is another opportunity to engage with area companies and businesses. If a business isn’t able to financially sponsor your tournament, invite them to donate an auction item as an in-kind sponsorship. This opens doors for future sponsorships and helps keep auction costs low.

What Types of Auctions Complement Golf Tournaments?

The vast majority of golf tournaments incorporate a silent auction. In a silent auction, participants write their bids on a piece of paper, or, more commonly, using an online bidding platform to submit their bid. Silent auctions work well with golf tournaments because of their flexibility, and thanks to mobile bidding platforms, golfers can place bids from anywhere on the course.

GolfStatus offers an online auction platform that complements its golf tournament management software.

Another option is a live auction. Live auctions utilize a professional auctioneer who leads the bidding process, encouraging competition amongst attendees. One item is auctioned off at a time, in front of the entire group. Live auctions are particularly effective for high-value items or experiences, but can be time-consuming at the end of a long day on the golf course.

Finally, you can choose an online auction. An online auction extends the auction beyond the golf

How Do I Add an Auction to My Golf Event?

An auction can easily be added to your tournament at any time. Of course, the earlier you plan for an auction, the more time you’ll have to procure items, promote the auction, establish bidding processes, and finalize the details. What’s more, a well-organized auction ensures a positive overall experience and can even encourage higher bids.

Much like your golf tournament, using technology will help it run smoothly and save you time and hassle, so start by choosing an auction platform. The most important feature is a mobile-friendly interface so golfers can browse auction items during the round and place bids right from their phones. It’s also a good idea to enlist volunteers to help with auction setup, answer questions and assist folks with bids, and finalizing payment and item pickup at the auction’s conclusion.

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Pro Tip:

Use your GolfStatus event website to promote your golf tournament’s auction, highlighting top-tier items and recognizing donors.

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ADD AN AUCTION TO YOUR GOLFSTATUS EVENT WEBSITE

Find out more!

What Are Some Best Practices for My Golf Charity Auction?

• Start planning early. Begin organizing your auction well in advance of the event. Secure high-quality items and experiences that will appeal to your audience.

• Set clear guidelines. Clearly outline the auction rules, including bidding increments, payment methods, and pick-up procedures, to avoid confusion and ensure a seamless process. Be sure to communicate these to your bidders before the auction begins.

• Utilize technology. Consider using online bidding platforms for silent or virtual auctions to streamline the process and reach a broader audience, and be sure you include a link to your auction on your golf tournament’s website.

Link out to your auction right from your golf tournament website.

• Leverage sponsorships and donated items. Partner with local businesses for donated items or experiences, reducing costs and fostering community involvement. You’ll improve fundraising outcomes as a result!

• Engage attendees. Provide frequent updates and reminders about the auction during the tournament, highlighting selected items to keep attendees engaged.

• Recruit volunteers. Recruit the help of volunteers to assist with auction setup, bid tracking, and attendee support during the event.

• Follow up with bidders. After the auction, promptly reach out to winning bidders to confirm payment and item delivery, and thank them for their support. Be sure to add them to the invite list for next year’s golf tournament.

What Are the Best Golf Charity Auction Items?

One key to a successful auction is offering items that are appealing, attractive, and valuable to your audience. 

Our Favorite Golf Charity Auction Items

• Experiences. VIP tickets to sporting events, concert passes, exclusive golf packages, vacations or travel packages, dining experiences.

• Memorabilia. Autographed sports gear, collectibles, pieces of art, branded merchandise, golf equipment.

• Luxury items. Designer goods, handmade jewelry, high-end electronics, gourmet food baskets, high-end spirits or wine baskets.

• Local business services. Spa packages, local dining experiences, home improvement services, golf lessons, local boutique packages.

Hole #18 at Victoria National, part of the Dormie Network.

Golf-Related Auction Items

• Custom golf club set

• Golf rangefinder

• Personalized golf bag

• Exclusive lessons with a golf pro

• Golf apparel (hat, shoes, gloves, shirts, pants)

• Golf cart 

• Golf course membership package

• Golf weekend getaway 

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Pro Tip:

GolfStatus’ giving partners at Dormie Network Foundation offer in-kind donations that level up nonprofits’ fundraising efforts.

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Physical Auction Items

• Custom artwork

• Standing desk/walking pad

• Chef set (knives, kitchen supplies, etc.)

• Gourmet gift basket (luxury chocolates, wine, snacks, and other gourmet foods)

• Coffee lover gift basket (coffee mugs, french press, beans, etc.)

Experiential Auction Items

• Sporting events tickets

• Concert tickets

• Vacation/travel packages 

• “Night on the Town” (dinner and a show)

• Ultimate city experience (tickets to all the fun things to do in a certain city)

Run a Golf Auction with GolfStatus

In addition to industry-leading software for charity golf tournaments and fundraisers, GolfStatus offers an auction add-on. The GolfStatus in-house team will work closely with you to set the auction up on the platform and activate the “Auction” tab on your golf tournament website so you can start collecting bids alongside golfer and sponsor registrations. Curious about how GolfStatus can help save time, raise more money, and streamline your auction? Click below to get in touch with our team.

Work With the Golf Fundraising Pros

Book a Meeting to Get Started

After two years of success, the Putt Putt Fore Puppies mini golf tournament is back for an even bigger and better year three! Planned by GolfStatus staff, Putt Putt Fore Puppies brings the community together to raise funds for Capital Humane Society (CHS), which cares for homeless pets in Lincoln, Nebraska, and helps them find their forever homes.

Registration is open and live for 2025!

📅 September 12, 2025

🕓 4:00 - 6:30 p.m. (registration opens at 3:30, shotgun start at 4:30)

📍Adventure Golf Center, Lincoln, Nebraska

tournament recap

Here’s a quick rundown of what the tournament accomplished in its first two years:

Year 1: 2023

• Golfers / Teams: 164 / 41 

• Courses: 2 of 3

• Sponsors: 21

• Fundraising Goal: $3,000

• Outcomes: $9,200 donated to CHS

  • $1,100 raised on tournament day

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Year 2: 2024

• Golfers / Teams: 216 / 54

• Courses: 3 of 3

• Sponsors: 31

• Fundraising Goal: $12,000

• Outcome: $15,000 donated to CHS

• $5,500 raised on tournament day

what’s new for 2025

Based on feedback from last year’s participants, the planning team is implementing a few changes 2025 tournament. The scope and format of the tournament will remain the same, but we’re exploring the feasibility of adding an auction and have decided to remove the playoff from the event. Other notable changes:

• New planning team. Planning team members include: Ashley Stahr, Director of Marketing; Payton Prall, Digital Media Manager; Jen Wemhoff, Communications Manager; David Li, Graphic Designer; Dane Stahr, Product Designer; Ty Perkins, Account Manager; Paul Sanger, Account Manager; Alex White, Fundraising Specialist; Brenden Holling, Client Success Specialist; Jack Burmeister, Client Success Specialist; Cash Dinkel, Director of Client Success;

• New sponsorships. Nature calls, so a Portapotty Sponsor was added, along with sponsorships for new pet-friendly player gifts to replace koozies.

• New team packages. Two team packages are offered this year—an “all-in” package and a standard package. Both include t-shirts, dinner, new player gifts, a drink ticket, and a round of mini golf for each golfer, but the all-in package includes entry into on-course games and 12 raffle tickets.

• New schedule. Additional time has been built into the schedule to accommodate the extra time required to complete the Backwoods Course and the raffle drawing.

• Pet showcase. Pet owners can purchase a “sponsorship” to show off their beloved pets on the event website and signage at the tournament.

• New t-shirts. T-shirts are included with each team package this year, as well as a standalone option. The adorable design features the pets from the Pet Showcase! Stay tuned for a preview on the event website.

Follow along on our tournament planning journey here and on Facebook and Instagram!

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Thank you sponsors!

Presenting Sponsor

Doggie Bandana Sponsor

Tennis Ball Pet Toy Sponsor

Swag Sponsor

Trophy Sponsor

Hole Sponsors:

Signage Sponsor

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Corporate fundraising presents a valuable opportunity for nonprofits and businesses to make a meaningful impact on their communities. For nonprofits, it means additional funding, resources, and greater visibility. For businesses, raising money for charity as a third party boosts brand reputation, engages employees, and fosters connections with new audiences.

Whether you’re a nonprofit looking to secure corporate support or a company looking to give back, these key strategies and fundraising ideas will help you maximize your impact.

Skip to:

• Corporate Fundraising FAQ

• Best Corporate Fundraising Idea: Charity Golf Tournament

• Event-Based Corporate Fundraising Ideas

• Workplace Giving & Employee Engagement Fundraising Ideas

• Community-Focused Fundraising Ideas

• Virtual Fundraising Ideas

• Seasonal Corporate Fundraising Ideas

Corporate Fundraising FAQ

What Are the Benefits of Corporate Fundraising for Nonprofits?

• Increased funding and financial stability. Corporate sponsorships and donations create a reliable funding source for nonprofits.

• Expanded audience and brand awareness. Corporate partnerships introduce nonprofit causes to new audiences and raise awareness about important issues.

• Access to valuable resources and expertise. Corporate partners may provide helpful resources like in-kind donations or skilled volunteers, along with industry expertise.

• Long-term strategic partnerships. These collaborations provide ongoing support for sustained impact.

• Increased credibility and public trust. Aligning with respectable brands or well-known businesses helps build trust among the community and with donors.
  

Why Should Businesses Invest in Corporate Fundraising?

• Reputation boost. Corporate giving enhances your social responsibility profile, enhancing and strengthening your brand and reputation.

• Introduction to new audiences and customers. Supporting a nonprofit can help businesses engage with new customers. For instance, fundraising events that attract higher net-worth individuals—like charity golf tournaments—help businesses attract valuable clientele.

• Improved employee engagement. Giving back can boost employee satisfaction and engagement, foster connection between teams, and improve team-building.

• Diverse giving opportunities. There are multiple ways companies can support charitable causes, including in-kind donations, monetary sponsorships, cause marketing campaigns, and more.

Corporate partnerships have a number of benefits for businesses and noprofits.

What Are Some Best Practices for Organizing Corporate Fundraising Events?

For all parties to maximize the impact of charitable partnerships, the following best practices should be considered:

Nonprofits

• Educate partners on any other corporate giving opportunities that may exist to further maximize their charitable efforts, such as matching gifts, volunteer grants, or payroll giving.

• Mobilize your donor network to spread the word about your corporate partner’s contributions, share information about the upcoming fundraising event, and encourage participation.

• Set goals that are both ambitious and realistic, based on past fundraising efforts, successes, and lessons learned.

Businesses & Third-Party Fundraisers

• Be transparent about the scope of your support and involvement in the fundraising event.

• Align fundraising events with your company’s mission, brand, and audience.

• Collaborate with the nonprofit to create compelling event promotional materials, such as a compelling event website with storytelling, visuals, and many opportunities and tiers for involvement.

Both Parties

• Work with partners that share your goals and values for the best possible outcomes for everyone involved.

• Choose the right event that will appeal to each organization’s audiences.

• Follow up after the event to reflect on its success, demonstrate its impact, and express gratitude.

• Create an event plan that details event tasks, assignments, and timelines.

• Outline a budget so both parties are on the same page.

• Use purpose-built tech to effectively and efficiently streamline planning and event management. For example, if you choose a charity golf tournament, choose a solution built specifically for golf, like GolfStatus.

The Top Corporate Fundraising Idea: Charity Golf Tournament

What Is a Charity Golf Tournament?

A charity golf tournament is a premier fundraising event that offers numerous benefits for the host company and benefiting nonprofit. Golf events bring people together like no other event can, combining philanthropy with networking, camaraderie, and an activity people genuinely enjoy. Golfers pay a registration fee to participate as an individual or a team and businesses purchase sponsorships to support the cause.

Charity golf tournaments bring people together to raise money, make connections, and strengthen relationships.

Why Is a Charity Golf Tournament the Best Corporate Fundraising Idea?

• Golf events have high revenue potential. Player registrations, sponsorships, and add-ons such as contests, on-course games, mulligan sales, auctions, and raffles drive revenue.

• Golf tournaments appeal to sponsors. Golf events provide excellent branding and exposure opportunities for businesses of all types, plus access to an audience that can’t be found with any other event.

• Golf events attract decision-makers. Golf attracts corporate executives and higher-than-average net-worth individuals. 90% of Fortune 500 CEOs are golfers, and one in three golfers are in top-level management.

• Golf is more popular and inclusive than ever. Golf continues to see record popularity, attracting new audiences of beginners, women, and young adults.

• Golf builds relationships. Because the focus of the event is on an enjoyable activity, it’s easy for donors and sponsors to build relationships and positive memories that keep them coming back year after year.

• Golf events strengthen community engagement. Golf events planned by a third-party corporate partner deepen community ties and engagement.

• Golf tournaments are customizable. Choose the golf facility, format, and competition level that best suits your combined audiences.

• There are multiple opportunities for support. Golf tournaments offer a plethora of opportunities to support a nonprofit partner—monetary sponsorships, employee volunteering, in-kind donations, and more.

Tips for Launching a Charity Golf Tournament

With the right strategy and tools in place, it’s easier than ever to plan and execute a successful charity golf tournament. Follow these tips:

• Use an event website. A dedicated golf tournament website with online registration makes promotion, registration, sponsor onboarding and exposure, sharing information about your cause, and communication with supporters simple and efficient.

• Offer sponsorship packages at varying price points. This best practice allows businesses with different budget capabilities to support your tournament. High-end exposure, like a pin flag sponsorship, should be sold at a premium,

• Maximize additional fundraising. Incorporate tournament components such as mulligan sales, raffle tickets, auctions, on-course games, and hole-in-one contests to boost fundraising outcomes.

• Enlist volunteer help. Work to engage volunteers from both the corporate partner and nonprofit to help in tournament prep and day-of execution.

Most importantly, use a golf-specific event management platform. Golf tournaments come with a unique set of details that must be handled, including handicaps, hole assignments, team pairings, flighting, and scoring. Standard ticketing software and nonprofit CRMs simply aren’t built to handle this level of specificity without requiring time-consuming workarounds.

GolfStatus’ golf event management software addresses the golf specifics and has baked-in tools to save organizers time and opportunities to raise more money:

• Event websites with online registration, secure payment processing, broad digital sponsor exposure, the ability to collect donations, and more.

• Robust reporting and data management in one easily-accessible web-based platform.

• A user-friendly back end where team members can collaborate, manage payments, track team and sponsorship sales, make hole assignments, and more.

• Reliable live scoring that engages golfers throughout the tournament and makes the tournament more fun.

• Exclusive sponsorships and add-ons to raise thousands more dollars.

• A responsive, in-house client success team comprised of PGA Professionals and fundraising specialists.

For third party fundraisers like corporate entities, GolfStatus can essentially be the bank for the golf event. GolfStatus makes it simple to collect and hold funds that can be paid out directly to the nonprofit after the tournament concludes.

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Other Event-Based Corporate Fundraising Ideas

1. Corporate gala or charity ball

2. Trivia night

3. Charity game night

4. Wine and dine fundraiser

5. Benefit concert (could also accompany your charity golf tournament)

6. Networking event or conference

7. Executive challenges (like dunk tanks or pie-in-the-face challenges)

8. Giving days

9. Corporate field day

Workplace Giving & Employee Engagement Fundraising Ideas

10. Donation matching

11. Payroll giving

12. Company-wide donation challenge

13. Internal company charity raffle

14. Company silent auction

15. Cause-related product sales

16. Peer-to-peer company-wide fundraising competition

17. Office bake sale

Companies can further the impact of their charity golf tournament by holding an accompanying donation drive.

Community-Focused Fundraising Ideas

18. Charity car wash

19. Restaurant fundraising night

20. Food or in-kind item drive

21. Charity run

22. Community festival for charity

Virtual Fundraising Ideas

23. Online fundraising gamification or rewards-based campaigns

24. Social media challenges

25. Crowdfunding campaigns

26. Livestream fundraising event

Seasonal Corporate Fundraising Ideas

27. Halloween costume contest

28. Valentine's candy-gram fundraiser

29. Holiday gift drive

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Final Thoughts

Corporate fundraising strengthens communities, builds partnerships, and makes a lasting impact. Whether you’re hosting a charity golf tournament or launching another fundraising campaign, the right tools and strategies help ensure success.

GolfStatus simplifies golf event planning and management while maximizing fundraising potential. Click below to learn more!

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If your organization isn’t using an event website for your charity golf tournament, you’re missing out on a powerful tool that saves busy organizers like you time, enhances the professionalism of your tournament, and attracts more players and sponsors. Here are six reasons why an event website is a must-have, how to maximize its impact, and how nonprofits can get one at no cost.

An attractive, professional event website is the hub for your charity golf tournament.

1. Event promotion is as simple as sharing a link

A dedicated event website makes promoting your tournament quick and easy. Simply include the link in all your communications—emails, social media, sponsor outreach, even printed pieces. Attendees and potential sponsors are directed to a professional, mobile-friendly event site where they can register a team, purchase a sponsorship, or make a donation with just a few clicks and on any device. Your website should be powered by an event management platform that’s built for golf events and allow you to efficiently capture golf specific details like team members, player handicaps, and more.

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Pro tip:

Add QR codes that link directly to your event website in any printed promotional materials—flyers, postcards, mailed invitations, etc.—to make it easy for golfers and sponsors to commit as soon as they hear about your tournament.

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2. Your tournament gets more credibility & professionalism

An event website presents your tournament—and your organization—in the best possible light. It keeps information organized and showcases your nonprofit’s mission and work, helping attendees and sponsors better connect with your cause. Linking your event site to your organization’s main website strengthens credibility and makes it easy for visitors to learn more and get involved. Sponsors also appreciate the added professionalism and digital exposure that a well-designed event site provides.

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Pro tip:

Choose a platform that allows you to customize your event website with images, videos, and compelling storytelling about your cause.

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Free guide:

the essential guide to golf tournament event websites

This comprehensive guide provides golf tournament organizers with strategies and best practices for using an event website to streamline planning and raise more money from your golf event.

Download the Guide

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3. Online registration streamlines everything

People expect to register and pay for events online these days. An event website makes it easy for golfers and sponsors to commit the moment they hear about your tournament—whether through word of mouth, digital channels, or a personal invitation. Plus, collecting registration and payments through the site means no more manually processing registrations and payments, keeping multiple spreadsheets up to date, or sending receipts. Secure online transactions automate data collection (i.e. donor and sponsor data) and streamlines event planning, reducing administrative work and ensuring your donor database stays up to date for post-tournament stewardship. You’ll collect funds upfront, so you’re not chasing down payments on tournament day, or worse, stuck covering the cost for someone who registered but never paid.

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pro tip:

Use a golf event management platform that includes built-in, secure payment processing and robust reporting features.

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4. sponsors get maximum visibility & exposure

A professional golf tournament website makes it easy to list and sell sponsorship packages that are custom-built to meet your event’s needs, while giving sponsors premium visibility before, during, and after the tournament. Sponsors love the impressions they earn every time someone visits the website to register, check their hole assignments, and see the day’s schedule. Look for a platform that simplifies sponsor onboarding, so logos and assets are submitted right at registration and automatically appear on the site. Sponsors also appreciate additional exposure on live leaderboards and live scoring apps.

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Pro Tip:

Send a final round of promotional emails and social media shout-outs recognizing sponsors a few weeks before the tournament. This provides extra exposure for onboarded sponsors and can even encourage other sponsors to get involved.

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An event website gives sponsors broad digital exposure with every site visit.

5. you’ll save a ton of time & stay organized

Gone are the days of manually processing paper forms, deciphering credit card numbers, cashing checks, reconciling Venmos, and juggling receipts and spreadsheets. With an event website, registrations, add-on purchases (like raffle tickets and mulligans), sponsorships, team pairings, and donations are all managed in one easily-accessible place. It also makes coordinating with your planning team and the golf facility simple and efficient. Staff at the host golf facility can access real-time event details and participant information and print pre-formatted cart signs, score cards, and alpha lists so they’re focused on serving your event and not on back office work. When everything is organized and accessible, everyone saves time (to the tune of 30-40 hours) and effort.

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Pro tip:

Share access to your event management platform with golf staff for easy handling of last-minute logistics like hole assignments, flights, and team pairings.

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6. it’s easy to communicate updates & engage participants

Need to add details or make last-minute changes? An event website makes it simple to keep attendees informed. Whether it’s updating tee times, promoting a hole-in-one contest or high-end auction item, or sharing weather-related changes, updates are made in real time. If your platform includes live scoring and digital leaderboards, you can keep golfers engaged throughout the event while providing extra visibility for sponsors. And you don’t necessarily need to have every tournament detail hammered out before you launch your site—it can be as simple as the date and location, with a note of more details to follow. This lets you get on the radars of donors and sponsors as early as possible.

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Pro Tip:

Ask each of your organization’s board, planning committee, and staff to email or text a link to the event website to at least five people who might be interested in either playing or sponsoring your golf event.

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Nonprofits or third parties hosting a golf fundraiser can qualify for a free event website and full access to GolfStatus’ powerful event management platform at no upfront through the Golf for Good program. Our team can work with you to build a site or guide you through the process. Click below to get started.

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If you’re looking for a way to bring fun and fundraising to your charity golf tournament, on-course games are a great option for events of all types and sizes. An on-course game is an addition to your tournament that involves an activity on one or more holes on the golf course that golfers pay to participate in. The games can have a variety of outcomes, like improving the team’s score, providing a better tee off location, removing an obstacle, winning a prize, or just to add an element of fun.

Games can be added to your tournament at any time, well in advance or right before the event. You can opt to have golfers pay to play when they register or pay the day of the tournament. Make sure you have an easy way to collect credit card payments in case golfers don’t carry cash (your GolfStatus event website is a great option for this). An all-in games package is the easiest option—folks pay one flat fee to participate in all the games. Use wristbands or something similar to signal to the volunteers working the games on the course that those golfers have already paid.

On-course games come with a ton of benefit for your event, including:

• Fun, fun, and more fun! Golfers of all skill levels can participate in on-course games and enjoy the extra entertainment.

• You’ll raise more money. Games bring in additional revenue, whether you sell one or more game sponsorships or just rely on golfers paying to play.

• They’re memorable. Golfers are guaranteed to remember the tournament where they shot the ball down the course with an air cannon or had to tee off or putt wearing Mickey Mouse gloves. Games add to a more enjoyable overall tournament experience.

• Cause connection. Tying a game to your cause in some way helps golfers better understand and connect with what they’re helping raise money for.

The Credit Unions for Kids Golf Classic adds extra fun to its tournament with on-course games, like kicking soccer balls onto an inflatable dartboard.

31 Ideas for Golf Tournament Games

The possibilities are endless, so gather your planning team to brainstorm ideas. Reach out to the Pro at the host golf facility, who might also have ideas for games that have been popular at other tournaments. These ideas can help get you started.

1. Golf Ball Cannon

Give golfers the chance to shoot their ball down the fairway using an air gun or golf ball cannon, instead of hitting a tee shot.

2. hole of fortune

Choose one hole that’s dubbed the “hole of fortune.” Golfers pick a card, play Plinko, or spin a wheel to determine the club they’ll use to tee off or play the entire hole with or the tee boxes they’ll start from. Prizes could also include an extra mulligan, an automatic hole-in-one, or a free drink. Alternatively, some slots or cards could result in something not as rewarding, such as teeing off while blindfolded or getting a penalty stroke.

Pro Tip: Some slots or cards could result in something not as rewarding, such as teeing off while blindfolded or getting a penalty stroke to give it a true “wheel of fortune” feel.

3. marshmallow drive

Have golfers tee off with a marshmallow. The golfer with the longest “drive” wins a prize. You could change this up to have golfers chip with a marshmallow, and the golfer with the closest chip to the hole gets the prize.

4. Plinko

Give golfers the chance to drop a puck on a Plinko board to win a prize, earn a drink or raffle ticket, or improve their score.

Plinko is fun for all ages and can be used with a variety of golf tournament formats, including traditional nine or 18-hole events or putt putt tournaments.

5. Roll-a-score

Have golfers roll a set of dice and give them the option to replace any score from the event with whatever they rolled.

6. Single Club hole

Participants play with the same club for the entire hole. They could choose a card, spin a wheel, roll dice, or other method to determine which club they play with. 

Pro Tip: Consider limiting clubs to those that would present the most challenge across the hole, such as the driver, wedge, or putter.

7. Wrong Hand Challenge

Participants play the entire hole “wrong-handed”, i.e. with their non-dominant hand. You may need to have clubs available in case no one in a group has left-handed or right-handed clubs. 
Pro Tip: Give teams the option to pay a fee to play the hole normally.

8. Scavenger Hunt

Place items around the course (these could be related to your mission in some way or just for fun). Participating teams get a list of the items to hunt for and take a picture of them once found. Teams that find every item could earn a prize or the chance to better their score.

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9. Club Game

Teams are given the chance to purchase a certain number of club lengths to move their ball closer to the hole without taking an additional stroke.
Pro Tip: Have a volunteer stationed on the tee box and another one near the green to sell club lengths. Choose an especially challenging hole to make the purchase more appealing.

10. Poker Hand

Teams draw a card on each of five designated holes to make up a poker hand. The team with the best hand at the end of the round wins a prize or you can offer prizes for specific hands (i.e. three of a kind wins a gift card to the pro shop).

11. Speed Hole

See which team can play the entire hole—from tee shot to sinking a putt—the fastest. You’ll need a volunteer to serve as the timer. The team that logs the fastest time wins a prize.

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The Complete Event Day Guide for Charity Golf Tournaments

Download this free guide to get tips and strategies for ensuring everything—including your golf tournament games—is prepped and ready to go for a flawlessly executed golf event.

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12. Trivia hole

Station a volunteer on the tee box to ask golfers trivia questions before they tee off to win a prize or move to closer tees.
Pro Tip: Relate the questions to your nonprofit’s mission to help connect golfers to your cause.

13. Shot Clock Hole

The entire team must tee off within a certain amount of time or must take a penalty stroke. Set up a large countdown timer or have a volunteer count out loud.
Pro Tip: Sell extra increments of time to take the time pressure off.

14. Ball Toss or Kick

Great for a booster club or team! Instead of hitting a golf ball off of a tee for their tee shot, golfers throw a football, baseball, softball, tennis ball, or other ball and play from there. Alternatively, they could kick a football or soccer ball for their drive.
Pro Tip: Have a local sports figure (high school, college, or even professional) run the game. For an extra fee, they can make the throw or kick.

American soccer legend Clint Dempsey kicks a soccer ball for his tee shot at a golf event benefiting Team Red, White & Blue.

15. Closest to the…

A spin on the classic closest to the pin contest, this game can be customized to your event. Determine an object either placed or naturally occurring—anything from a prize like a Yeti Cooler or golf bag, distinct tree (or other feature on the course), or an item related to a sponsor (one GolfStatus client places a rubber chicken on a hole, and the game is sponsored by a chicken company). The team that gets the closest to the object wins a prize (or wins the prize they were hitting at).

16. Speed Putting

Golfers try to make as many putts from one location in a certain amount of time as possible to win a prize. 
Pro Tip: Run multiple rounds of the contest, moving the ball further away from the hole.

17. Sitting Drive Challenge

Golfers take their tee shot while sitting on a chair. Offer the choice to pay a fee to opt out of the challenge.

18. Ball Swap

Golfers play the hole like normal until they reach the green, where they mark their spot and play the rest of the hole with a racquet ball or ping pong ball.

19. Blind Putt

Golfers wear sleep shades or blindfolds when they putt and have to rely on verbal cues from their team to try to make the shot.

20. Alternative Putter

Golfers putt using objects other than their putter, like a croquet mallet, hockey stick, or baseball bat. This could be on the practice green as a separate contest or as part of a specific hole. 
Pro Tip: Pick putting objects that help golfers understand what your nonprofit does. For example, Habitat for Humanity of Columbus, which helps provide affordable housing and homeowner education, had a game on the practice green where golfers putted with building tools, like sledgehammers and levels, instead of their putters.

Golfers at Habitat for Humanity of Columbus’s golf tournament used building tools to putt as part of a golf tournament game.

21. Caddie Auction

Teams bid on volunteer caddies to join their team. Recruit well-known locals, such as your nonprofit’s Executive Director, the mayor, coach, local news anchor or weathercaster, or influencer as caddies. 
Pro Tip: Use an online bidding software and allow teams to bid over the week leading up to the tournament so the caddies are set when event day arrives.

22. hit it & Get it

Set varying prizes up on the practice green. Golfers get the chance to putt and win a prize if they hit it.
Pro Tip: Place high-value prizes further away to up the challenge.

23. Skins Games

Skins games create mini-competitions where teams (or individuals, depending on the event’s format) compete against each other based on their score on a given hole, in addition to their overall score. Event organizers can use skins games to fundraise by setting a dollar amount for participants to buy in to compete. 
Pro Tip: Display skins results on real-time digital leaderboards to keep golfers engaged and make the skins games more competitive.

24. Dizzy Bat

Golfers take turns putting their forehead on the end of a baseball bat and spin around multiple times, making them dizzy, and then attempt to tee off.

25. Goggle Putt

Golfers wear goggles that impair their vision in some way—such as being impaired by alcohol or make everything appear upside down—and attempt to putt.

26. Bingo Bango Bongo

Players earn points for being the first on the green (bingo), closest to the pin once all balls are on the green (bango), and sinking the first putt (bongo). 
Pro Tip: Raise extra funds by selling a Bingo Bango Bongo sponsorship or encouraging donations for each point earned.

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Golf Tournament Contests

27. Hole-In-One Contest

Players take their best shot at acing a designated par-three hole (or several holes) for the chance to win an exciting prize, like cash or a golf getaway.
Pro Tip: Be sure your contest is covered by hole-in-one insurance so your nonprofit isn’t stuck footing the bill for the prize if someone gets an ace. Sell a contest sponsorship to cover the cost of the insurance to boost revenue.

28. Longest Drive Contest

Participants compete to see who can hit the ball the farthest off the tee while keeping it within the fairway on a selected hole.

Contests are easy ways to improve the overall experience at a charity golf tournament.

29. Closest to the Pin Contest

Golfers test their accuracy and compete to see whose tee shot lands closest to the hole on a designated par-three hole.

30. Chipping Contest

Players demonstrate their short-game skills by chipping the ball as close to a target as possible, often set up near the practice green. 
Pro Tip: Boost revenue by selling mulligans specifically for shots in longest drive, closest to the pin, and chipping contests.

31. Beat the Pro Contest

Players take on a pro in a head-to-head challenge to see if they can hit their tee shot closer to the hole on a specific hole.

Best Practices for Running Golf Tournament Games

• Sell a games sponsorship! There are a few ways to structure a games sponsorship for your golf fundraiser:

• Individual games sponsorships. Sell a sponsorship for each individual game on the course and encourage the purchasing business to run the game the day of the event. This gives them great brand exposure and ample opportunity to connect with golfers.

• Overall games sponsorship. An overall games sponsorship encompasses every game on the course. This sponsorship should sell for more than the individual game sponsorships and provide premium exposure for the sponsoring business.

• Front and back nine games sponsorships. Offer two separate games sponsorships, one for the front nine and one for the back nine.

• Connect golfers to your mission. Games that connect golfers to your mission in some way have double the impact—they get a deeper appreciation for your cause and are more likely to chip in additional money. For example, Outlook Enrichment, a nonprofit that serves the visually-impaired, uses the blind putt game to help golfers better understand the struggles of vision loss.

Outlook Enrichment uses sleep shades for a blind putt hole to help golfers better understand vision loss.

• Leverage social media. Go live from one of the games, create a specific hashtag for a new game, and assign someone to share photos from each game throughout the tournament to get more people excited about participating in the games.

• Hype it up. Ask a volunteer, a staff or board member, or recruit a local celebrity to announce or emcee a game to hype golfers up to participate (and make extra donations!). 

• Keep pace of play in mind. You don’t want teams piling up on a hole with a time-consuming game. Keep games easy to explain and quick to play to keep the round moving and golfers happy. 

• Recruit volunteers. These can be staff or board members, other volunteers, or even sponsors. Depending on the length of the round, you might want to have two shifts of volunteers. They need to be comfortable explaining the rules and procedures, how to pay online via your event website, or collect cash payments.

• Incorporate team-based challenges. Create ways for teams to compete against each other in the games. For example, if you use the marshmallow drive game, you can keep track of distance across all teams and award a prize to the overall winner.

• Use real-time leaderboards. When you use a software solution that provides hassle-free live-scoring, you can use real-time standings as part of your games. Perhaps teams that are under par at a certain game hole get a free extra wheel spin or Plinko drop, or teams that are more than a few strokes over par get an additional try at the marshmallow drive.

• Take online payments. Whether you’re selling supertickets, wristbands, or individual game entries or collecting donations, the ability to collect payments online via your event website helps bring in more dollars and makes post-tournament accounting easier. Post a sign with a QR code that links directly to the packages page to make it super simple for golfers and your planning team, and you won’t have to deal with keeping track of cash payments.

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Golf for Good

Nonprofits, charities, and third parties planning charity golf tournaments can get started with GolfStatus at no upfront cost through the Golf for Good program! Get access to GolfStatus’ golf event management platform—with a robust event website, time-saving automations and built-in fundraising tools, premium sponsorships, trusted partners, and an A+ in-house support team—to make your next golf event the best one yet. Click below to connect with our team!

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When it comes to player gifts at charity golf tournaments, getting it right can significantly enhance the participant experience and leave a lasting positive impression of your nonprofit. Giving golf tournament gifts should make golfers feel valued, connect them to your organization and mission, and encourage them to play in the event in the future.

But what makes a great gift? And what should you avoid? Drawing on feedback from GolfStatus app users—golfers who regularly play in charity golf tournaments—and industry insights, here’s a deep dive into best practices, gifts that are hits and misses, and gift ideas to ensure your event is up to par.

Learn how to supercharge your golf tournament's fundraising with our free guide

Best Practices for Choosing Winning Golf Tournament Gifts

• Stay on budget. Great gifts don’t have to break the bank. Thoughtful, practical items often cost less than flashy or trendy products. Keep your gifts commensurate with your registration prices. Bake gift costs into your registration prices or make sure they’re covered by a sponsorship.

• Prioritize practicality and quality. Golfers appreciate items they can use during play or in daily life. These items not only serve a practical purpose but also remind participants of your event each time they use them.

• Incorporate customization. Adding your nonprofit's logo or the event name to gifts transforms standard items into memorable keepsakes that offer lasting reminders of the tournament and your cause.

• Offer a variety of items. Providing a selection of gifts caters to diverse preferences and enhances the overall experience to ensure that each participant finds something they value.

• Leverage sponsorships. Partnering with sponsors to provide player gifts can elevate the quality of items without increasing costs, adding value for participants and strengthening sponsor relationships.

• Consider unique and memorable items. Distinctive gifts can make your tournament more memorable, but ensure these gifts align with your budget and the interests of your participants.

• Plan for raffle and contest prizes. In addition to player gifts, offer attractive raffle and contest prizes to boost engagement and add excitement to the event.

• Gather feedback. After the tournament, ask for feedback from participants regarding the gifts and overall experience to better meet their preferences. Keep track of what gifts are especially popular for future tournaments. 

Custom or branded headcovers make a great golf tournament gift!

Our Favorite Golf Tournament Gift Ideas

These are the gifts that golfers rave about, cherish, and actually use. They strike the perfect balance of quality, practicality, and relevance to the sport.

• High-quality golf balls. Golfers always appreciate receiving premium golf balls, especially if they’re from trusted brands like Titleist, Callaway, or TaylorMade. Personalized balls with the event logo are even better, serving as both a functional item and a keepsake.

• Branded golf apparel. Apparel such as moisture-wicking polos, performance hats, or lightweight jackets are consistently popular. Golfers value apparel they can wear both on and off the course, particularly if it’s quality and well-made.

• Technology or gadgets. Golf tech like rangefinders, GPS devices, or even a gift card toward such items are unique and highly valued gifts. For lower-cost options, consider phone mounts for golf carts or clip-on speakers.

• Practical accessories. Items like insulated tumblers, golf towels, divot repair tools, and high-quality umbrellas rank highly. These are useful both on the course and in daily life.

• Gift cards. While not flashy, gift cards to the host golf course’s pro shop, local restaurants, or sporting goods stores are almost universally appreciated, giving golfers the freedom to choose something they truly want or need.

• Unique keepsakes. Custom-engraved glassware or framed pin flags or scorecards can serve as a meaningful reminder of the event, particularly for milestone tournaments or events honoring a special cause.

41 more golf tournament gift ideas

Practical golf tournament gift ideas:

1. Golf balls from top brands

2. Golf ball markers

3. Quality tees

4. Branded golf apparel

5. Golf club cleaner brush

6. Headcover

7. Golf shoe bag

8. Tumbler

9. Golf towel

10. Divot repair tool

11. Commemorative ball marker

12. Indoor mini putting green

13. Personalized bag tag

14. Free rounds of golf at the host golf facility

15. Golf glove

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Pro Tip:

Give sponsors the opportunity to include items in the player gift bags.

Find out more in this free downloadable guide: Sample Golf Fundraiser Sponsorship Packages

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Premium golf tournament gift ideas

16. Custom golf travel bag

17. Golf cart rain cover

18. Guest passes to a high-end golf club

19. Luxury golf apparel (shirt, pants, socks, glasses, etc.)

20. New set of high-end clubs

21. Personalized headcover

22. Hotel stay

23. Tickets to a local sporting event

24. Putter

25. Driver

high-tech golf tournament gift ideas

26. Rangefinder

27. GPS device

28. Golf cart phone mount

29. Clip-on speakers

30. Fitness watch/tracker

31. Smart golf ball

32. Golf simulator pass

33. Bluetooth speaker

34. Portable power bank

creative golf tournament ideas

35. Commemorative ball marker

36. Framed photo or pin flag from the event

37. Golf ball retriever

38. Membership to golf-themed app or service

39. Complimentary golf lessons

40. Gift card or gift card pack

41. Hand warmers

Golfers wear hats and quarters zips bearing the Brantley’s Buddies logo.

golf tournament gift bundle ideas

• Golf combo: A sleeve of high-quality branded golf balls, a moisture-wicking polo, and an insulated tumbler that are co-branded with your nonprofit’s and sponsor’s logos.

• Tech bundle: A clip to hold a GSP unit or rangefinder, a phone mount for golf carts that makes live-scoring easier, and a high-quality microfiber towel.

• Golf basics package: Golf tees, a divot repair tool, a ball marker, and a nice branded golf hat.

• Gift card bonanza: Gift cards to the host golf facility’s pro shop, a local coffee shop, and golf or sporting goods store.

• Cause connection keepsakes: A custom-engraved glass, beer stein, or mug paired with a gift card to a local restaurant and a thank-you note explaining how their participation supports your mission.

golf tournament gifts to avoid

While the intention behind every gift is good, some items just plain miss the mark. Avoid these gifts that golfers told us make them groan:

• Low-quality items. Cheap golf balls, flimsy tees, or poorly made apparel diminish your tournament’s reputation and their value as a gift—and usually end up in the trash.

• Overly generic merchandise. Generic water bottles or pens with no event branding or connection to golf can often be viewed as uninspired. While functional, they don’t resonate with golfers or evoke memories of the tournament.

• Over-sized or bulky items. Large, heavy items like oversized coolers or clunky golf bags can be a hassle for participants to carry around. Unless you’re offering a larger raffle or contest prize that justifies the bulk, stick to smaller, more manageable gifts.

• Non-golf-related items. While creativity is good, veering too far from the event’s golf focus can backfire. For example, unrelated gadgets or trinkets may leave golfers scratching their heads.

• Items with no usefulness. Decorative items with no practical use or special connection to your tournament, such as purely ornamental keychains or low-quality paperweights, get a thumbs-down from golfers.

• Incorrect sizing. If gifting apparel, ensure it fits and the style appeals to your audience. Collect sizing when golfers register to ensure you have the proper inventory available.

getting started with golf tournament gifts

By focusing on quality, relevance, and practicality, your nonprofit can ensure the player gifts at your next charity golf tournament are not just appreciated but celebrated. Thoughtfully selected gifts enhance the golfer’s experience to keep them coming back year after year, elevate your event’s reputation, and remind participants of your organization’s mission every time they use them.

The right event management platform is key to a professional, successful event. Click below to connect with GolfStatus and find out how you can use its tournament management software at no upfront cost!

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As golf continues to grow in popularity, it’s becoming an essential fundraising tool for nonprofits of all sizes. Technology has made planning and managing golf events more approachable and efficient, even for those who might not be familiar with the sport. As 2024 draws to a close, we’re looking ahead at the trends and predictions for golf fundraising in 2025. Here are eight trends to watch for your 2025 golf event.

1. Partnering with sponsors will be standard

Sponsors increasingly want to be more than just logos on banners; they want meaningful engagement with your golf tournament’s participants. When pitching sponsorships to businesses, work with them to identify their goals for supporting the event and find opportunities for them to achieve the highest return on investment (ROI). That might look like branded booths and activities on tee boxes, special speaking appearances, sharing the tournament’s registration lists, or other opportunities for organic engagement. It will be important for tournament organizers to effectively collaborate with sponsors to ensure both parties meet their goals.

2. professionalism will be essential

Event attendees will expect a polished, professional experience in 2025. From your tournament website to signage, every touchpoint will matter more than ever before. High-quality, consistent event branding from the moment golfers hear about your event and register on your event site to when they receive their post-tournament thank you signal to them that the event is well-run. This professionalism can go a long way in attracting new supporters, retaining donors, impressing sponsors, and encouraging all participants to return in future years.

According to the National Golf Foundation, the female golfer population today is not only growing, it’s more diverse than ever.

3. expect more women to play in your golf event

Females now represent 26% of the golf market—a jump from 19% just a few years ago. This increase in female participation means it’s time to consider how your tournament might better appeal to women. A women’s-only flight or other women-focused offerings can help your tournament stand out, attract more lady golfers, and foster inclusivity in your event’s culture.

4. non-traditional golf events will become more popular

Another significant trend for 2025 is the increased popularity of non-traditional golf events, like mini golf tournaments, TopGolf, or indoor golf experiences. These events are especially appealing for organizations looking to add a second golf event that attracts new audiences, who want to experiment with golf fundraising on a smaller scale, or want a fundraising event with a shorter time frame than a traditional 18-hole tournament. Non-traditional events can also be more budget-friendly, making them an excellent option for organizations looking to diversify their fundraising. What’s more, indoor golf events let nonprofits connect with supporters during the cooler winter months when golf isn’t feasible.

A TopGolf golf fundraiser is an event option that can help nonprofits reach and involve new audiences.

5. golfers will want more than a round of golf

In 2025, expect golfers to crave unique, memorable experiences beyond a round of golf. Including tournament components like flights, cash prizes, on-course games or contests, raffles, or auctions make tournaments more exciting and memorable for participants. Elevated player gifts and prizes, on-course demonstrations, and live-scoring add to the overall experience that set your event apart and create lasting memories for participants.

6. hole-in-one insurance will be a must-have

A hole-in-one contest adds excitement and helps draw players to your event, but having the right insurance in place is essential so your nonprofit isn’t exposed to financial risk. Yes, the odds of a golfer getting a hole-in-one at your tournament remain low (about 12,000 to 1), but holes-in-one do happen and it’s not worth the risk to your organization. Hole-in-one insurance covers the cost of a big prize, like thousands of dollars in cash or high-end golf experience, in the rare instance that a golfer gets an ace. Offering fantastic prizes with the reassurance of insurance protection can help you confidently advertise this fun tournament add-on.

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7. sponsors will want to show off their support

Sponsors in 2025 will look for opportunities to showcase their involvement with your cause, not just at the golf tournament, but also online and across their networks. Think through how you’ll work with sponsors to facilitate this—consider co-branding social media posts or creating shareable content for sponsors to post on their channels. These partnerships can increase visibility for both the sponsor and your event while aligning with each other’s goals to give back to the community.

8. team planning will drive success

Gone are the days of a one-person show organizing a golf fundraiser. The most successful events will be those organized by a team with a clear division of responsibilities. By involving multiple planning team members, you’ll ensure that all details are well-managed, from sponsorship outreach to volunteer coordination. Team planning can lead to a smoother experience for everyone involved and help create a stronger, more collaborative event environment. Plus, no one gets burnt out handling every task.

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final thoughts

By keeping these 2025 golf fundraising trends in mind, next year’s golf event will better resonate with participants, deliver value to sponsors, and boost your nonprofit’s fundraising potential. Using golf event management technology can make it even easier to achieve these goals, saving you time on administrative tasks, simplifying registration and payments, and providing tools to engage sponsors and participants. With streamlined technology and a focus on unique experiences, your nonprofit can host a golf fundraiser that raises more money and leaves a lasting impression on everyone involved.

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