Step 1: Set Your Date and Venue
Book your golf course as early as possible. Most courses fill tournament dates 3-6 months in advance. Confirm your start format (shotgun vs. tee times), player capacity, and any course-specific requirements before committing.
Step 2: Choose Your Format
Your tournament format determines how players compete and how fast the round moves. The most common options:
- Scramble. Each player hits, the team plays from the best shot. Beginner-friendly and fast.
- Shamble. Each player hits off the tee, then plays their own ball from the best drive.
- Best Ball. Each player plays their own ball; the team scores the lowest individual score per hole.
For charity and corporate events, scramble is the most common choice.
Step 3: Set Up Online Registration
Open registration as soon as your date is confirmed. Use a platform that handles individual and team registration, collects payments automatically, and sends confirmation emails without you lifting a finger.
The easier it is to register, the more players you'll get.
Step 4: Build Your Sponsorship Packages
Create tiered sponsorship packages before you launch. Include hole sponsors, cart sponsors, a presenting sponsor, and at least one premium tier. Make it easy to pay online and display sponsor logos on your event page.
Step 5: Plan Your Pairings
Once registration closes, build your pairings. Group players by team if it's a team format, by handicap if you're running flights, or randomly if it's a casual scramble. Share pairings with players at least 24 hours before the event.
Step 6: Day-of Logistics
Arrive early. Set up check-in, confirm hole assignments with the course, and brief your volunteers. Have a printed backup of pairings and scorecards. Things move fast once players arrive.
Step 7: Post-Event Follow-Up
Send thank-you emails to players, sponsors, and volunteers within 48 hours. Share final results and photos. If it's a fundraiser, share how much you raised and where the money goes.
