Golf outings are a great way to spend time with friends, family, or co-workers while enjoying the beautiful scenery of a golf course. However, sometimes these outings can become repetitive and lose their excitement. That's why it's important to mix things up and introduce new games and ideas to keep things fresh and engaging.

Innovative Ideas

Looking to spice up your next golf outing? Here are some innovative ideas to make your event unforgettable.

Themed Golf Outing

A themed golf outing is a great way to add some fun and excitement to your event. Whether it's a costume theme or a team event, a themed golf outing is sure to get everyone in the spirit. Some popular themes include:

• Ryder Cup
• Jack and Jill 
• Around the World in 18 Holes
• Costume Party

Make sure to decorate the course and have prizes for the best-dressed team.

Charity Golf Outing

A charity golf outing is a great way to give back while enjoying a day on the course. Choose a local charity to support and encourage participants to donate. You can also have contests and raffles to raise additional funds. Make sure to recognize the top donors and have a representative from the charity speak at the event.

Night Golf Outing

A night golf outing is a unique and memorable experience. Set up glow-in-the-dark balls and markers on the course and provide participants with glow sticks and flashlights. Make sure to have plenty of lighting on the course and provide food and drinks for participants. This is a great way to add some excitement to your event and keep participants engaged after dark.

Incorporating these innovative ideas into your golf outing will make for a fun and memorable event.

Pick a Theme for Your Outing

When it comes to planning a next golf tournament, having a theme can add an extra level of excitement and energy. It is also a great way to get players and spectators involved in the golf tournament event.

With so many fun golf tournament ideas available, you will find a theme that fits your tournament.

Some popular fun golf tournament ideas for themes include:

• Classic golf: Simple, traditional golfing attire with muted colors and appropriate accessories.
• Retro golf: Inspired by eras past, such as the roaring 20s, flapper 30s, swing 40s, and 50s sock hop.
• Creative golf: Anything goes! It could include costumes, outrageous hats, or silly golf balls.
• Hollywood golf: Recreate the classic movie scenes and choose a fun film for everyone to watch at the golf tournament.
• Sports-themed golf: Invite guests to wear their favorite team’s gear or sports equipment.

Once you have chosen a golf tournament theme, communicate this to your players and spectators in advance. Doing so will help set the tone for the next golf tournament and ensure everyone is on the same page.

Add in Some Fun Games

A golf tournament is a great way to get everyone together for a day of fun, relaxation, and competition. You can also use games that are played at the golf tournament as well.

These fun golf tournament ideas will make the golf event more competitive and provide entertainment for people not participating in the next golf tournament.  

Some games that you could enjoy on the golf course during your golf tournament include:

1. Closest-to-the-Bunker: Instead of closest-to-the-pin, have a closest-to-the-bunker challenge where golfers try to hit their ball as close as possible to a designated bunker on the hole.

2. Happy Gilmore Longest Drive: Have participants do a Happy Gilmore-style swing for a longest drive challenge, where they take a running start and swing at the ball.

3. Blind Putting: Have golfers putt with a blindfold on or have them putt without looking at the hole for an added challenge.

4. Chip-in Challenge: Set up a designated area near the green for a chip-in challenge, where golfers have to chip their ball into a bucket or target.

5. Obstacle Course: Set up obstacles such as cones, hula hoops, or pool noodles on the green and make the golfers putt around the objects.

Golf Outing Formats

Golf outings are a great way to enjoy the game of golf with friends and colleagues. Adding some fun games to the mix can make the experience even more enjoyable. Here are some popular golf outing games to consider.

Scramble

The scramble is a popular golf outing game that involves teams of four players. Each player tees off, and the team selects the best shot. All four players then hit from that spot, and the process is repeated until the ball is in the hole. The team with the lowest score wins.

Best Ball

Best ball is another popular golf outing game that involves teams of two players. Each player plays their own ball, and the team selects the best score on each hole. The team with the lowest score at the end of the round wins.

Skins

In a skins game, each hole is worth a certain amount of money or points. The player with the lowest score on each hole wins the money or points for that hole. If two or more players tie, the money or points carry over to the next hole. The player with the most money or points at the end of the round wins.

Alternate Shot

Alternate shot is a popular golf that involves teams of team players. One player tees off, then your partner hits the shot, and then you switch back and forth after each shot. The partner who tees of switches on every hole so each player hits the tee shot 9 half the holes. 

Have a Social Media Contest

Social media contests are a great way to generate engagement for your golf tournament and get people interested in your golf outing.

For a golf tournament, you could have a contest where players post pictures of themselves playing at the golf tournament and include a specific hashtag.

Whoever gets the most likes on their picture will win a prize. Alternatively, you could have players tag their friends in the post, and whoever tags the most people would win a prize.

Social media contests are a great way to get more people interested in your next golf tournament, and these fun golf tournament ideas are also fun and creative ways to engage with potential participants.

Golf Trick Shots

Invite a professional golfer or trick shot artist to perform and challenge participants to mimic their impressive shots.  

To pull this off:

1. Research and Invite a Professional: Do some research to find a professional golfer or trick shot artist who can perform and provide entertainment for the participants. Reach out to them to see if they are available to attend the event.

2. Organize a Demonstration: Have the professional golfer or trick shot artist perform a demonstration of their impressive shots for the participants. This can include hitting balls through obstacles, hitting balls with unique club choices, or hitting trick shots.

3. Challenge Participants to Mimic: After the demonstration, challenge the participants to mimic the professional's impressive shots. This can be done on the course or on a designated practice area. Offer prizes for the best mimicry or the most creative attempts.

4. Provide Tips and Guidance: The professional can provide tips and guidance for participants to improve their technique and help them achieve the impressive shots. This can be a great learning opportunity for participants and make the event more interactive.

5. Create a Social Media Challenge: Encourage participants to share their best attempts at mimicking the professional's shots on social media using a specific hashtag. This can create excitement and engagement beyond the event itself.

Overall, this idea adds a unique and entertaining element to the golf outing, and can provide an opportunity for participants to learn from a professional and improve their skills.

Give the Option for Paid Mulligans

Paid mulligans are a great way to raise money for your charity golf tournament.

Offering paid mulligans will give golfers an extra chance to improve their game while contributing to your fundraising goals.

When setting up the pricing of your mulligans, consider offering different packages, such as a single mulligan or a bundle of three or more.

Players can also buy multiple mulligans on the charity golf tournament day.

Finally, ensure you have volunteers available to help keep track of the mulligans and ensure everyone follows the rules.

These fun golf tournament ideas are easy and efficient to boost your fundraising potential for your charity golf tournament.

 Add Some Extra Entertainment

Adding some entertainment to your next golf outing can be a great way to make the golf event more enjoyable and memorable.

Music is one of the best ways to set the tone and motivate people for a good time at golf outing.

Consider playing upbeat on the golf course, fun music during the golf tournament by hiring a DJ or having a pre-selected playlist. It will help keep everyone engaged and encourage socializing while they are playing golf tournament.

Consider hiring live musicians to play during the golf tournament, depending on your budget.

 Related:

17 Great Golf Tournament Gift Ideas

 32 Golf Outing Prizes That Will Make Your Event A Smash