19 Tips to a Smooth Golf Event

Front Nine

1. Select a course and date. Ideally, you want a course that is accessible, has a good reputation and is fun to play. Budget is a consideration, but should not be the prime factor. Depending on the size of your group, green fees will vary. Weekdays are generally less expensive than weekends. Showtime Golf provides golf course reviews and information for Las Vegas, San Diego, Palm Springs and Phoenix.
2. Enlist sponsors. For a corporate event, get a list of suppliers and vendors. They may participate by supplying prizes or player gifts or buying sponsorships as a thank-you for the business. Be sure that you have great signs recognizing your sponsors at the event: this is not an area to cut costs. Ask our course tournament coordinator to suggest suppliers for signs, products, etc.
3. Provide player registration forms. While this may seem like a hassle at first, it can really come in handy on event day. Include name, address, phone and fax for the event databases. Be sure to list a fax # and address for returning the form and identify a deadline date for return.
4. Print Schedules. Be sure to put together a schedule for the day and either fax it to players or hand it out at registration.
5. Solicit Prizes. Get the nicest prizes you can afford or have donated because this area creates reputation. Nice prizes help to make the event memorable and generates interest in playing next time.
6. Choose a Format. Your choices are: Best Ball, Captains Choice Scramble, Foursome combined or Individual Stroke Play. The one you choose may depend largely on the skill levels of your participants. The course pro can assist with decisions about format and tee options.
7. Prepare for on-site registration. Without question there will be a rush at registration the last hour before tee time. Always have a organized system of checking your golfers in and be able to get them on their way quickly.
8. Determine pairings in advance. For corporate outings, consider who is paired with who for political reasons. If the reason for the event is to accomplish business goals, pair the right people together.
9. Plan the transportation. Be sure golfers have good directions to the golf course if they are driving themselves or that bus drivers know where they’re going. Golfers have to be at the course and ready ahead of time. Especially for shotgun starts.
10. Have enough beverage carts. If your event is a warm month, add an extra cart. Thirsty golfers are crabby golfers, and there are health factors too. Remember to consider box lunches and snacks.
11. Start on time. If you have a 8am shotgun, have golfers at their assigned starting holes and ready to begin play at 8am. Better to please 120 golfers who are ready than satisfy 10 who are late. Showtime Golf San Diego can help by providing luxury transportation to and from the course.
12. Be sure signs look good and are in place in plenty of time. It’s the easiest way to please sponsors or make them unhappy. Ask the course tournament coordinator to recommend providers of quality signs.
13. Have enough volunteers. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Staff accordingly.
14. Check the yardage on prize holes. Nobody wants legal problems, so save yourself a potential headache. Ask the course tournament coordinator to recommend providers of hole in one contests.
15. Be in sync with the golf course staff. You can’t do too much planning. It’s a good idea to have a face-to-face meeting with the course tournament coordinator a few days before the events to discuss details and your expectations of staff.
16. Keep the pace of play moving. Don’t try to do too much. Be creative with games and contests, but remember they slow down play.
17. Recognize your sponsors, dignitaries and beneficiaries. People like to see where their money is going. If you’re benefiting a charity, you can’t go wrong with dogs or kids. Ask the charity to provide volunteer help and a list of potential sponsors/golfers.
18. Write thank you letters to your sponsors and volunteers. Include a survey if you would like feedback. It’s also a nice touch to thank the golfers for participating.
19. Every good course has a 19th hole. Remember the details, and try to under-promise and over-deliver to make the next event even better.

Call us to plan your next golf event or tournament at (866) 661-2334

Posted in General Golf, Golf Tips & Tricks, Las Vegas, Palm Springs, Phoenix, San Diego |