American Hole 'n One's Blog

Have you ever wondered what goes into planning a golf tournament? It involves many moving parts, including uncontrollable factors such as the weather. As such, it is important to develop a comprehensive plan well before the tournament's date.

So, how do you plan a successful golf tournament? Here is a brief six-step guide to point you in the right direction:

Assemble a Planning & Hosting Committee 

As mentioned earlier, planning a golf tournament involves many moving parts. As such, it usually takes more than one person to plan and handle everything. 

Ideally, a golf planning committee should include individuals (or sub-teams) responsible for overseeing the golf tournament's most important aspects. Some of the most important positions include: 

• Golfers Chairperson 
• Sponsorships Chairperson 
• Tournament Chairperson 
• Operations Chairperson 
• PR & Marketing Chairperson 

The committee should also have an honorary chairperson. This should be a prominent person in the golfing community to help lend the tournament more credibility and create a bigger buzz.

Set a Date 

The general rule of thumb when planning a golf tournament date is to allow at least six months for planning and preparation. This also ensures that potential attendees have sufficient time to organize their schedules. 

Ideally, the set date should offer clear (preferably sunny) weather throughout the day. It is also prudent to set an alternative date (rain day) in case things don't go according to plan.

Pick & Prepare a Venue 

Your chosen golf course will be the first thing that most attendees consider when contemplating whether or not to come. As such, it is important to ensure that the chosen venue offers everything your attendees need, including: 

• Variety of holes, including long, short, and straight holes. 
• Routing (the layout and connection between different holes) and the available direction options. 
• Ability to shoot (depending on the golfers' level of skills). 
• Design features such as grass and sand, sloping and flat terrains, and water hazards. 

The venue should also offer all the amenities attendees need, including food and beverages for the audience. It is also prudent to choose a venue that offers a reasonable level of challenge.

Develop an Appropriate Format 

Some golf tournament formats are more exciting than others, which is why this is a make-or-break factor. Some of the most popular formats include: 

• Handicapped 
• Shotgun 
• Pro-Am 
• Medal Play 
• Night Golf 
• Best Ball 

However, the chosen format will depend on the allocated time for the tournament and the golfers' level of skills. It is also worth noting that some venues can limit or complicate some formats.

Budget & Seek Sponsorship 

How much will it cost to prepare and host the upcoming golf tournament, and how much do you expect to make from it? The amounts will depend on dozens of factors, including the cost of renting a golf course and the number of attendees expected. 

Sponsorship is one of the best ways to make money via golfing. As such, start looking for sponsors as soon as the plan and budget are finalized. Some of your best options include corporate sponsors and local businesses. 

Get the Word Out 

Did you know that golf ranks tenth in popularity among dozens (probably hundreds) of other professional sports worldwide? However, you may not have attendees or an audience if you don't market your upcoming golf tournament. As such, roll out an efficient marketing and PR campaign with the goal of reaching as large an audience as possible. 

Your credibility and reputation in the golfing community depend on your ability to plan and host golf tournaments (among other factors). As such, don't take chances with the planning phase and consult an expert if you can't do it yourself. American Hole 'n One is here to ensure successful golf event planning. Get in touch today to learn more about how we can help you with planning a golf tournament.