The Best Charity Golf Outing Games

Charity golf outings are a popular fundraiser for many nonprofits and associations. With interest in golf increasing by 30% since 2016—bringing the number of participants to 123 million annually—the annual golf outing has become a must-have event for many organizations looking to engage their supporters. 

In many ways, charity golf outings are a go-to for nonprofits. Golf enthusiasts may get a chance to compete on once-in-a-lifetime courses, all while supporting a great cause. When you plan your golf outing with careful attention to detail, you ensure that your event isn’t just about giving back—it’s about creating an enjoyable experience. 

There are many ways to spice up your charity golf days, such as adding themes to raise awareness and fun golf games. Follow these successful golf outing tips to make your day on the greens both memorable and effective. 

Fun Games for Golf Outing Fundraisers  

Most organizations have added mulligans, hole in one contests, or longest drives to their golf outings. These are tried, true, expected revenue enhancers. Consider some other fun options, too!  

Ensuring your guests have a memorable experience can positively impact fundraising. Consider adding these exciting options to your next charity golf tournament. 

Beat the pro 

You may need a few helping hands for this one. Reach out to the golf club and organize to have a golf pro at one of your holes. Depending on the par, your players can place bets with the pro to see who can get the ball closer to the pin. If they beat the pro, they can double their money. If the pro wins, it goes to your nonprofit. 

Circle hole 

Circle hole is another opportunity to have players bidding during the game. Pick a par three hole for this game and draw a 15-foot circle around the hole. Have a volunteer close by to officiate. Players can pay to take turns getting the ball inside the circle in one shot. If they achieve their goal, they win a prize. Golfers can buy up to three chances that don’t count as mulligans if they miss.   

Closest to the pin 

Cone game 

You’ll need some enthusiastic volunteers to get people excited. Place three cones at a hole—one on the green, one about 50 yards from the green, and one around 150 yards from the green. Golfers can buy yardage from volunteers, allowing them to tee off closer to the hole. The closer the cone is to the hole, the higher the requested donation will be. 

Hole of fortune 

Consider this hole of fortune game if you want to add a zany alternative to your golf event. Create a wheel alongside a hole. Participants can spin the wheel for quirky instructions. Some could be lucky, like minus a shot from your total score, while others can bring out the funny side—taking a swing on one leg or quacking like a duck before you take your shot. You can use your imagination to make this a hilarious part of your golf outing.  

Hire a pro 

This game can be an excellent way to increase donations. Have a few golf pros stationed at the most challenging hole. Players can “hire” them to make shots, increasing the price for each successive shot the pro makes for the player. 

Longest marshmallow drive 

All you need to do is substitute golf balls for marshmallows. Choose a hole as the ‘marshmallow hole’ and ask one of your volunteers to dish out large marshmallows. The golfer who drives the marshmallow the furthest wins a prize.  

The pink ball 

If you plan a best ball event, the pink ball game will be an absolute hit. Give each team a pink ball at the start of the game. Players must take turns playing with the pink ball at each hole. They must record each player’s score with the pink ball for each hole. The team with the lowest pink ball score at the end of the game wins. 

Roll-a-score 

Golfers roll a dice, after donating, and they can replace one hole’s score with whatever they rolled. 

Straightest drive 

Instead of the longest drive, which favors the stronger players, consider adding a twist by awarding a prize to the participant with the straightest drive. You can draw a straight line and have a volunteer judge which player comes closest to the mark.  

Games for a Golf Scramble Tournament 

If you plan on hosting a scramble tournament, you can keep things interesting with some fun additions that are just for scrambles.  

How does a golf scramble work? 

• All players take their first shot from the tee.  
• Each player takes their next shot from the best landing position from the previous shots.  
• All players putt from the closest approach shot to the hole.  
• Players continue in this format for 18 holes.  

Take a look at these funny golf tournament games to give your golf scramble tournament a little extra zing: 

Three-club scramble 

Players must devise a strategy as they’re only allowed three clubs for the match. They have to plan differently and use unusual clubs to execute their shots. This game can make the tournament more of a challenge for players and offset the advantage they get from playing off someone else’s ball position.  

Draw the club 

Write the names of each of the 14 clubs on paper. Players must draw a club out of a hat for each shot. Leaving clubs up to chance challenges teams and can yield some comical results. 

Worst ball 

Take the regular scramble tournament rules and turn them on their head. Instead of playing from the best of the four tee shots, players must all play from the worst.  

Skins and scramble combo 

A prize, typically money, ‘skins’ is awarded to the team with the lowest score for each hole. Since this is a scramble game, you are playing the best overall ball, don’t forget. If  teams tie for the lowest score, the skin rolls over to the next hole, so players can play several holes without any skins being awarded.  

Offering other games and spending opportunities allows people to give more to your organization throughout the golf outing. 

Charity golf outings offer more than just a day on the greens—they provide an opportunity to engage donors and raise funds for a meaningful cause. Whether you’re gearing up for an annual golf outing or planning a one-time event, incorporating creative ideas like Hole of Fortune, Longest Marshmallow Drive, or a quirky Three-Club Scramble can transform a standard tournament into an unforgettable experience. 

So, if you’re ready to plan a golf outing that makes a difference, remember: every swing counts when you host golf events that truly connect with your community. 

Whether you’re planning a classic tournament or a lively scramble, infuse your event with these innovative game ideas to elevate the experience, boost donations, and ensure your next charity golf outing is a resounding success.  

Additional Golf Outing Resources  

• [Blog] Charity Golf Outing Tips from the Experts 
• [Guide] Golf Tournament Fundraiser Guide 
• [Video on-demand] Teeing Up Success: Effective Strategies for Golf Event Fundraising