Top 10 Ways to Maximize Revenue for Your Golf Outing

Hosting a golf outing is an excellent way to raise funds, engage sponsors, and create a memorable experience for participants. To ensure your event is financially successful, you need to optimize every potential revenue stream. Below are the top ways to maximize revenue for your golf tournament and make it as profitable as possible.

1. Set a Strong Foundation for your Tournament

Before diving into revenue-generating ideas, it’s crucial to establish a solid foundation:

• Create a clear mission statement to communicate exactly where the money raised will go.

• Build a strong board of directors with well-connected individuals who can assist in fundraising efforts.

• Develop a professional website with easy access to event registration and donations.

• Form a well-structured committee with designated responsibilities for sponsorships, marketing, and operations.

• Choose a date that will attract the most golfers. Even if it is more expensive to have it on a Friday, you want to make it the best experience so more people will participate so make sure to choose the right date! 

• Become an official 501(c)(3) organization to attract donations and tax-deductible sponsorships.

2. Donations: The Easiest Revenue Stream

Encourage year-round donations in various forms:

• Cash contributions through your website, PayPal, Venmo, direct deposits, or donations at the tournament.

• Gift donations for raffles, auctions, and prizes.

• Services as donations, such as advertising, printing, or legal support.

• Clearly communicate donation impact, so donors know exactly how their money is used.

3. Offer Advantages that help Golfers Succeed 

Mulligans, or do-over shots, are a simple way to raise extra cash:

• Price them at $5-$10 each, with package deals available.

• Sell Mulligans online in advance to streamline registration.

• Hand Participants Mulligan cards and have them write what hole it was used on to keep track

Long Driver/ Cannon hits your drive

• Place them on a long Par 5 and have golfers pay to hit a drive

• Price them at $5-$10 each, similar to the price of Mulligans

4. Host a Raffle/Silent Auction

Golfers love winning prizes, and a well-run raffle can generate thousands:

• Pre-promote prizes online and in emails to build excitement. Also, allow bids on prizes online before the tournament so members who could not make it can donate.

• Offer premium prizes to encourage ticket purchases (vacations, high-end golf gear, electronics).

• Use a silent auction format, allowing participants to bid on specific items.

• Draw most winners during play, and only announce major prizes at the awards ceremony to keep things moving.

5. Games & Contests

Incorporating fun contests will boost participation and revenue:

• Closest to the Pin - Offer gift certificates or a raffle prize for the closest to the pin on a par 3

• Beat the Pro – Golfers wager on beating the club pro in a hole.

• Putting Contests – Offer big prizes for making long putts.

• Closest to the Line - Similar to closest to the pin, try and have players hit the straightest drive on a par 4 or 5

• Hole-in-One Challenges – Partner with insurance companies for high-value prizes.

• Drone Ball Drop – Sell numbered balls that a drone drops onto a target, with the closest winning a prize.

6. Include Food & Beverages to Increase Enjoyment for Golfers

• Include fine dining for all meals of the day so you can show the golfers that you care about making it an unforgettable experience
• Offer Snacks throughout the round and maybe a quick grab-and-go option at the turn to ensure players stay on pace while receiving quality food. 
• Provide Drinks on the Course and after to ensure Golfers enjoy their time! 

7. Optimize Golfer Registration Fees

• Keep entry fees reasonable to ensure full participation.

• Provide high perceived value, including a quality venue, food, goodie bags, and a fun afterparty 

• Promote advantages for participants to raise more money 

8. Turn the Awards Ceremony into a Revenue Event

• Make it entertainment with live music, comedians, or a golf-themed party.

• Run additional raffles and auctions that will interest the golfers during the event to increase revenue. This is where you can get the most additional money after the tournament if the gifts are special. For example, some gifts that are big hits are autographed memorabilia, free rounds to premier courses, electronics, gift certificates to fancy restaurants, and golf equipment. 

9. The Appeal – Directly Asking for Contributions

• Share an inspirational video or testimonial about your cause.

• Have an executive or a team member of the foundation make a direct ask for donations.

• Offer donation envelopes or digital options for easy giving.

10. Maximize Sponsorship Revenue

Sponsorships are the biggest revenue source for any outing, but most tournaments undersell them:

• Offer small pieces of exposure like a hole sign or a flag to create awareness for a brand or company.

• Allow Sponsorships with branding opportunities, social media posts, and speaking spots.

• Sell premium sponsorships for contests, awards, and raffle prizes.

• Provide a strong ROI pitch to sponsors, showing how they’ll gain visibility and new customers.

Bonus Tip: Bundle and Pre-Sell Everything

Instead of nickel-and-diming golfers throughout the event, bundle key add-ons into a Tourney Bundle that includes:

• Mulligans

• Raffle tickets

• Entry into contests

Sell this package online and at check-in for $40-$50, making it a no-brainer for participants.

Final Thoughts

A well-organized golf outing can be a major financial success when you maximize every possible revenue stream. With a strong foundation, creative fundraising strategies, and clear marketing efforts, you’ll ensure your tournament is not only enjoyable but highly profitable.

 Check out all of our Outing blogs on Groovy Golfer, which will be linked below!