Golf Tournament Fundraiser (10 Ideas + 9-Step Guide + Free Checklist)

Can a golf tournament as a fundraiser really make a difference? Let’s answer that with a story.

Peter had played plenty of rounds before, but nothing felt quite like that Saturday. He walked in expecting a friendly game, but what he found was something else entirely.

The usual excitement over the leaderboard barely mattered. The moment that caused the cheer was when a six-figure cheque was handed over to a children’s hospital.

Think about it – where else can you bring together business leaders, community members, and passionate supporters in one place, all while giving them an experience they genuinely enjoy?

Beyond the putts and drives is a mountain of planning; sponsors, registrations, catering, volunteers, auctions, and logistics from tee-off to trophy.

We’re going to see how to host a golf fundraiser from start to finish and check out strategies to maximize your revenue.

Get ready to tee off for your cause and make a real difference!

Is hosting a golf tournament fundraiser worth it?

While a golf day seems like the perfect experience to give your supporters and to fundraise, it works best for organizations of all sizes with the capacity to handle higher upfront costs and longer planning timelines.

Here are a few reasons why golf tournaments are worth the investment:

• The payoff can be substantial: well-run tournaments often raise tens of thousands in a single day.
• The audience also matters. Golf is a $ 102 billion industry in the U.S., with a total of 47.2 million Americans playing the sport in 2024, both on and off the course.
• The sport tends to attract higher-income participants, such as executives, professionals, and business leaders, making it a natural bridge to corporate sponsorships and major donors.

For nonprofits seeking to expand their network of affluent supporters while raising substantial funds, a golf tournament offers a valuable solution.

Types of golf tournament fundraisers

When picking a tournament format, the goal is to match the game to your audience. Choose options that balance fun, accessibility, and fundraising potential.

1. Mini Golf: A lighthearted option for families and casual supporters. Courses are shorter, playful, and accessible to all ages, making it an inclusive way to boost participation.
2. Best Ball: Each player in a team plays their own ball, but the lowest score on each hole counts for the team. It keeps the competition lively while still engaging beginners.
3. Scramble: Teams of four all hit from the tee, then play from the best shot. It’s fast-paced, social, and beginner-friendly, which makes it the most popular format.
4. Accessible & Inclusive Golf: Design the event to accommodate disabled golfers and guests. Offer single-rider/para carts, accessible tees/paths/restrooms, adaptive formats, and clear volunteer support from registration to awards.

10 golf tournament fundraising ideas

Every extra touch you add to the golf fundraiser creates an exciting experience for donors that keeps their energy and giving spirits high all day.

Here are 10 golf fundraising ideas that take your charity tournament beyond the scorecard.

1. Hole-in-one contest with a twist

Very few moments create as much buzz as watching someone line up for a hole-in-one shot. Add a twist to the classic bragging rights by partnering with a local artisan, travel agency, or even a sports club to sponsor a prize.

Players are motivated to enter, sponsors get visibility, and the crowd is thrilled every time someone takes a swing in the hole-in-one contest.

Purchase prize indemnity coverage early, as policies typically require minimum yardage and specified witness requirements. Secure the policy well ahead of your event to satisfy underwriting and logistics.

Pro tip: Use RallyUp’s livestreaming so watchers can contribute by taking the Pay-to-Play Surveys and chime in on the live activity feed.

2. Themed putting contest

Give your putting contest a playful twist with a dress-up theme. Maybe it’s “Retro Golf Day” with players in classic plaid knickers, or a “Superhero Challenge” where golfers take their shots in capes.

Add small obstacles or props to match the theme, and let the crowd vote on the most creative outfit as part of the contest. It makes for great photos, a more relaxed vibe, and plenty of laughs.

Pro tip: Encourage teams to coordinate their outfits, offer a recognition plaque for “best-dressed foursome” to boost participation.

3. Digital silent auction

Silent auctions don’t need to be limited to the clubhouse crowd. By moving them online, you can let people bid on travel packages, golf gear, or unique experiences from anywhere. Bidding wars keep the excitement alive, and donations climb higher when more people are included.

Pro tip: RallyUp’s unique Auction Gift allows every bidder to optionally donate whether they win or not.

4. 50/50 “Closest to the pin” raffle

Add a golf twist to a classic 50/50 fundraiser. Participants buy into the pot, and their entry puts them into a “closest to the pin” contest at a par-3 hole. Half the pool supports the cause, and half goes to the lucky golfer who sticks it closest.

Note: Check charitable-gaming laws first, as many states require a license/registration and may prohibit or restrict online ticket sales.

Pro tip: Mark everyone’s shots with numbered flags or tees so golfers can actually see the competition unfolding. This keeps them engaged and encourages more buy-ins.

5. Sell discounted golfing gear

Partner with the hosting club or local pro shops to sell discounted equipment – clubs, balls, gloves, and apparel. With a majority of golfers spending $500-$1,000 on gear annually, they would love exclusive deals – and a percentage of every sale goes directly to your cause.

Pro tip: Set up a pop-up shop at registration so golfers can stock up on branded gear before hitting the first tee. Use RallyUp’s storefront to sell select gear online ahead of the tournament, turning pre-event shopping into early donations.

6. Caddie-for-a-cause

Shake up the normal caddie routine by inviting local celebrities, golf coaches, club members, or even beneficiaries of the charity to serve as caddies for a donation. 

Golfers will pay extra for the novelty and the chance to chat with someone unexpected while walking the golf course.

Pro tip: Offer “premium caddie” packages where donors bid for the most popular personalities with RallyUp’s ticketing and event registration before the tournament, so players can secure their picks in advance.

7. Mini golf side tournament

Not everyone is ready for 18 holes, and some of your supporters might still be in pre-school, but everyone can enjoy a mini golf course. Host a side tournament for non-golfers and kids, keeping the entire event inclusive while raising extra funds.

It also gives parents an opportunity to teach their kids about generosity.

8. Tickets for Mulligans

Every golfer knows the heartbreak of a shanked drive. Sell Mulligan tickets (extra shots) during your charity golf tournament fundraiser registration, giving players a safety net and encouragement to keep playing. It’s simple, exciting, effective, and adds thousands in extra donations.

Pro tip: Keep it fair; limit mulligans per golfer but offer “team mulligan packs” at a higher donation tier.

9. Celebrity ball auction

Have a celebrity, local golf figure, or popular community leader sign and play with a golf ball during the round. After the game, auction the ball to the highest bidder. It’s part memorabilia, part bragging rights, and highly collectible.

10. Legacy plaque or tree

Offer donors the chance to sponsor something lasting on the course: a tree, bench, or plaque engraved with their name or a loved one’s. It’s a way to tie their support to the venue while giving them something tangible to revisit year after year.

Pro tip: Market this to corporate sponsors as well, via targeted email marketing campaigns. Many businesses will donate extra for permanent recognition.

Golf tournament fundraiser budget template

A fundraising goal only works if you can back it up with a solid budget.

Here’s a golf tournament budget template to help plan better:

Step-by-step guide on planning a charity golf tournament

You’ve decided on the ideas you want to include in your golf tournament fundraiser, but it doesn’t end there. We’ll now explore the unexpected snags you might encounter while planning ahead to maximize donations.

Step 1: Build a planning timeline

A golf fundraising event needs a long runway. Vendors require deposits, and sponsors plan budgets months in advance. Without a clear timeline, it’s easy to end up scrambling, or worse, missing opportunities.

Start by mapping the big milestones:

• 6–9 months out: Lock the course/date and secure a title sponsor; outline format (scramble, shamble, etc.) and fundraising targets.
• 4–5 months out: Confirm major contests (hole-in-one, 50/50 closest-to-pin), begin sponsor outreach packages, recruit a volunteer lead.
• 3–4 months out: Open registration, publish pricing/tiers, launch the event page and initial email/social push.
• 6 weeks out: Promote early-bird cutoff (last call), intensify sponsor follow-ups, order signage/merch, confirm insurance and permits.
• 4 weeks out: Lock catering and beverage cart, finalize on-course games, request golfer handicaps for pairings.
• 2 weeks out: Close sponsor sales, assign foursomes, draft cart signs, hole signs, player packets, and run-of-show.
• 1 week out: Volunteer training and station assignments; confirm rentals, photography, credit-card readers, and rain plan.
• 72–48 hours out: Send player logistics email (parking, check-in time, dress code), print materials, assemble swag.
• Event day: On-site check-in, rules briefing, pace-of-play and contests signage; capture sponsor shout-outs and photos.
• Within 48 hours post-event: Publish results/photos, send thank-yous and receipts.

Step 2: Form an organizing committee and recruit volunteers

Even the best golf event planner can’t run a tournament solo. A strong committee with volunteers spreads out responsibilities, taps into diverse networks, and brings expertise to different areas of the event. Or get professionals to build your campaign and launch when you’re ready!

Divide and conquer. Assign committee members to lead sponsorships, logistics, auctions, and marketing, rather than spreading everyone thin. Volunteers can cover check-in desks, manage on-course contests, or run raffle tables.

Step 3: Secure the venue and vendors

A golf tournament fundraiser requires, well, a golf course. But don’t forget the many vendors that bring the event to life.

• Evaluate accessibility, cost, and what’s included: Some courses bundle carts, catering, or clubhouse use, which saves you from piecemeal vendor contracts.
• Lock in secondary vendors: Signage, AV, and photography are often overlooked but critical. Always confirm in writing with clear deliverables.

Step 4: Design the player experience

While the main motivation is fundraising, golfers expect an experience on the course – a memorable day. By focusing on the player journey, you create an event that keeps them talking (and donating) long after the final putt.

It’s the little details that matter: Fast check-in, clear tee assignments, and hydration or snack stations across the course. Swag bags with tees, balls, or sunscreen not only add value but also double as sponsor visibility. Also, include pace‑of‑play marshals and a scoring app.

Step 5: Marketing and communications

Marketing is the first step to ensure that golfers and donors actually end up at your intensely planned fundraiser.

Start with email. 48% of donors prefer email to hear from a nonprofit organization. But pair it with social posts, local press, and community partners.

Step 6: Picking the right tech and tools

When managing an event as large as a golf fundraiser, consider having the necessary technology and tools by your side for registration, ticketing, raffle tickets, auctions, check-in, and sponsor tracking. The right golf fundraising software keeps all of this organized and can also provide in-person event management.

Step 7: Increase donations

Ticket sales and sponsorships are the base, but extras can double your revenue if done right. The trick is to make them fun, optional, and seamlessly integrated into the day, whether on-course golf tournament games or off-course activities.

Pick a handful of well-run add-ons: raffle tickets, silent auctions, or mulligans are classics that don’t distract from the game. Keep it optional, but make it seamless. Sell tickets online in advance so golfers aren’t fumbling for cash at the course.

Note: Try to limit extras to a few well-executed options to avoid donor fatigue.

Step 8: Post-event follow-up

The tournament doesn’t end with the winner announcements and hitting that thermometer. Post-event follow-up is an opportunity to strengthen donor relationships and set the stage for next year’s success.

Send thank-yous, photos, and a recap of total funds raised to the supporters. For sponsors, a post-event report showing visibility and ROI makes them far more likely to sign on again next year.

Step 9: Build accessibility into your tournament

Make inclusion a priority: confirm single-rider/para mobility carts with the course, verify accessible parking, tees/paths, restrooms, and clubhouse entries, and publish accommodations on the registration page. 

Offer adaptive formats (e.g., modified tees, captain’s choice), allow personal aides/caddies, provide large-print/digital materials, and ensure PA announcements and videos are captioned. 

Train volunteers on respectful assistance and designate an “accessibility lead” to handle requests before and during the event. Add an optional ‘needs’ field to registration so that accommodations (transport, seating, sensory-friendly spaces) are ready upon arrival.

Download our golf tournament fundraiser checklist

Planning a charity golf tournament involves numerous moving parts, including sponsors, vendors, players, and volunteers. 

To keep everything on track, we’ve built a step-by-step checklist. Download it, tick things off, and make sure nothing’s left untackled.

Case study: How the Township of Tiny raised over $83,000 with RallyUp

The Township of Tiny had long hosted an annual golf tournament supporting local charities. But during the pandemic, they needed to broaden their reach and shift parts of fundraising online.

In 2020, they used RallyUp to host the golf event and integrate a virtual silent auction, letting non-golfers join in and bid remotely. Since then, they repeated the hybrid model, using RallyUp’s intuitive platform to centralize ticketing, auctioning, donor communication, and bidding.

After partnering with RallyUp, the organization was able to:

• Raise $83,000+ through different fundraising events
• Balance a donor mix: 70% returning supporters, 30% new donors

They credited RallyUp’s ease and unified fundraising software for simplifying logistics and enhancing reach.

“Before, it was not a streamlined process. It was good to centralize everything in one platform … It definitely contributed to our success.” — Jaelen J.

With the right platform, you can turn creative fundraising ideas into high-impact campaigns and RallyUp makes it easy.

Golf for a cause with RallyUp’s end-to-end event management

Charity golf tournament fundraising isn’t just about who hits the longest drive or avoids the bunkers; it’s about how every swing adds up to something bigger. Careful planning and creative touches can turn a heated competition into a community event that works towards real impact.

Like a well-played round, fundraising success comes from more than one perfect shot. It’s the combination of strong sponsorships, engaged players, and smart revenue boosters that keeps your nonprofit moving steadily down the fairway.

With the right tools to handle raffle tickets, auctions, and registrations, you can focus on the big picture instead of getting stuck in the rough. 

RallyUp, an end-to-end event management platform with advanced tools and software, keeps your golf tournament fundraiser running smoothly, start to finish.