So, you want to organize a golf tournament? Great! We love any excuse to walk down the fairway. (We’re not inviting ourselves to crash the party, just living vicariously and thrilled to be doing so. But if you ever need a fourth…)

Before we get into some pro tips, let’s pause for a second to make sure you know exactly why you’re going to the effort to organize a golf tourney. It isn’t for the faint of heart. Rarely do organizers get to play because you’re busy dealing with a bunch of details behind the scenes. It’s a thankless job, if we’re being honest, so it’s important to keep your “why” in mind. Otherwise, you may chuck a club into the water hazard in a fit of frustration… figuratively speaking, of course.

Think of your purpose as the flagstick on the green that helps you keep your eye on the prize.

Is your tourney a fundraiser? An industry networking event? Are you honoring a golf-lover’s memory? Are you putting a more competitive spin on the neighborhood barbecue under the guise of building community? What is it that’s driving you to take on the challenge?

Now that your purpose has been established, let’s tee off some tips for making your golf tournament the talk of the town.

1.     Recruit players with the enthusiasm of an NCAA coach.

In other words, you’ve got to let people know about the tournament, how to sign up, when it will be, and all the other pertinent details. For the best results (a.k.a. most participants), you’ll need to promote the event in multiple ways. And, because people will be people, you should make them an offer they can’t refuse. You know your why; give them theirs.

Don’t just assume they’ll play because they enjoy the game or appreciate the cause. Folks want to know what’s in it for them. For example, the winners of the Masters Tournament are presented with iconic green jackets in addition to prize money and notoriety. Rarely do you hear winners talk about the money or the fame, but they sure as heck talk about the prestige and tradition of wearing that jacket.

Other than prizes, here are some tips for recruiting players to your tournament:

•  Choose a desirable location for the tournament, a course they might not otherwise have the opportunity to play. Destination golf can be quite enticing.
• Send personal invitations. This appeals to an athlete’s ego and makes it more difficult to say, “No” than an impersonal flyer does.
• Account for less experienced golfers. For fundraisers, especially, it’s all about numbers. Let people know that they don’t have to present a certain handicap to be able to play. Offer awards that let them know everybody is there for some fun and friendly competition. (See Tip #5 for ideas.) Consider having some golf pros on hand for in-the-moment tutorials and coaching.
• Network, network, and then network some more. Ask your golfing buddies to invite their buddies and so on in an exponential effort to bring the entire golfing community together on one course. Warning: such tactics may result in overwhelming success. Plan accordingly. 
  
  

2.    Squelch complaints before they happen.

There’s at least one in every crowd. The glass half empty people known as Chads and Karens. You won’t ever be able to please everybody, but staying one step ahead of complainers could minimize the whining.

Think about how to anticipate needs and wants ahead of time. For example, will there be plenty of:

• Parking that doesn’t require a hike before walking 18 holes? Golf carts make perfect shuttles, if you need them.
• Shade for those who aren’t familiar with the direct sunlight of a golf course, who have sensitive skin, or who have an aversion to sweating?
• Beverages to keep players hydrated (e.g. water or sports drinks) and happy (e.g. beer)?
• Restroom facilities? Because…  well, beverages and whatnot.

3.     Mix things up to keep it fresh and sassy.

What can you do to make your tournament different from all other tournaments? Think about hosting the tournament over a long weekend and having players play different formats on the same course. Or, if you’re feeling ambitious, make the tournament a multi-round event on different courses in the area. This gives golfers some variety to look forward to and levels the playing field a bit.

On the flip side, you could make each hole its own game within the game. Side games make each hole an adventure, kind of like miniature golf but with higher stakes and more collared shirts.

4.     Make it easy to keep score with a golf scoring app.

Not everybody who can drive a ball is capable of math-ing after the 18^th hole. Blame the sun, the beverage cart, or America’s education system, but this is the reality. Also, everybody wants to see how they compare to other players throughout the day. A golf scoring app like Unknown Golf lets players enter their score at each hole. Then the leaderboard in the app updates automatically and nobody has to math.

5.    Celebrate at the 19^th hole with a winners/losers awards ceremony and refreshments.

Incentivize winners and losers

a.   Winning team

b.   Lowest individual score

c.   Highest individual score

d.   Biggest divot

e.   Travelled farthest (into the rough)

f.    Most improved from 1-9

g.   Most improved from 10-18

h.   Won the most side games and still managed to lose overall

i.     Most likely to let the caddie be a designated putter

j.     Least likely to stay dry on a course

6.    Bonus tip: Simplify your life by using a platform/app that does it all