What Is a Hole Sponsor?
A hole sponsor pays a set fee (typically $100–$500) to have their name and logo displayed on a sign at a specific hole. The sign is usually placed near the tee box, and players see it as they wait to hit.
For charity tournaments and corporate outings, hole sponsorships are often the most common and accessible sponsorship tier. They're affordable for small businesses and easy for organizers to manage.
How Much Should You Charge?
Pricing depends on your audience and location, but here are some benchmarks:
- Local charity tournament: $100–$250 per hole
- Corporate outing: $250–$500 per hole
- High-profile fundraiser: $500–$1,000+ per hole
If you have 18 holes and sell each for $250, that's $4,500 in sponsorship revenue before you've sold a single premium package.
Who to Ask
Start with businesses that already support your cause or have a connection to golf:
- Local golf shops and pro shops
- Financial advisors and insurance agents
- Real estate agents and mortgage brokers
- Car dealerships
- Restaurants and bars near the course
- Medical practices (dentists, chiropractors, physical therapists)
- Law firms
- Local franchises (insurance, fitness, home services)
Don't overlook your own network. Board members, volunteers, and past participants often have business connections willing to sponsor.
How to Ask
The best sponsorship asks are personal and specific. A generic email blast rarely works. Instead:
- Lead with the cause. Explain what the tournament supports and why it matters.
- Be specific about what they get. "Your logo on a sign at hole 7" is clearer than "visibility at our event."
- Make it easy. Include pricing, a one-page overview, and a simple way to pay.
- Follow up. Most sponsors don't say yes on the first ask. A polite follow-up a week later often closes the deal.
What Sponsors Actually Get
At minimum, a hole sponsor gets:
- A sign with their logo displayed at their assigned hole
- Recognition in event materials (program, website, emails)
- A social media mention or thank-you post
To increase perceived value, consider adding:
- A photo of their sign sent after the event
- Inclusion in a post-event thank-you email to all players
- Option to set up a table or tent at their hole (especially for "activation" sponsors)
Sample Outreach Email
Here's a template you can adapt:
Subject: Hole sponsorship opportunity — [Event Name]
Hi [Name],
We're hosting our annual golf tournament on [Date] at [Course Name] to support [Cause/Organization]. Last year we raised [Amount] and had [Number] players.
I wanted to reach out about a hole sponsorship. For $[Amount], your business gets:
- A sign with your logo displayed at one of our 18 holes
- Recognition on our event website and in the player program
- A social media shout-out before and after the event
It's a great way to get in front of [Number] golfers who are [description of audience].
I've attached a one-pager with more details. Let me know if you have any questions — happy to chat.
Thanks,
[Your Name]
Beyond the Basic Hole Sign
Some tournaments get creative with hole sponsorships:
- Closest to the pin sponsor: Their sign goes on the hole where you're running the contest
- Long drive sponsor: Same idea, on the long drive hole
- Beverage cart sponsor: Logo on the cart that loops the course
- Putting green sponsor: Sign at the practice green before the round
These "premium" hole sponsorships can command higher prices because they're tied to something memorable.
Making Hole Sponsorships Easy to Manage
The logistics of hole sponsorships can get messy fast — tracking who paid, which hole they're assigned to, collecting logos, printing signs, and setting them up day-of.
Tournament software like Kismet Golf lets you manage sponsors in one place: collect payments, assign holes, gather logos, and generate sponsor recap reports. No spreadsheets. No email chains.
Final Thought
Hole sponsors are often your first "yes" when building out a tournament budget. They're easy to sell, easy to deliver, and they add up fast. Get them locked in early, and you'll have a financial foundation to build on.
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