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Planning a Golf Outing
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When planning an outing, it is important you clearly define your objectives within the environment you will be dealing. Once you have established meaningful goals, you may begin to assemble materials and make appropriate contacts to help fulfill your needs. Be sure to consider the playing ability, gender, and special needs of your guests when selecting a facility.

Our staff has compiled the following suggestions to help ensure the success of your outing, however, we recommend you work closely with the staff of the host facility to fine tune your plans.

  1. Outing Identification - There are four basic types of golf outings: A) Corporate/Client; B) Corporate/Employee Incentive; C) Charity/Fund Raiser; and D) Family/School Reunion. Clearly identifying the outing type will guide your host staff's recommendations on how to make your event successful.

  2. Course Selection - Budget limits, tee time availability, location, club amenities, and players' ability should drive your final decision on course selection. Considerations should include: course difficulty; carts, caddies, and bag carry options; practice tee availability; non-golf activities such as tennis or nearby shopping or museums; proximity to major transportation for out-of-town guests; course/clubhouse capacity; availablity of locker room with showers; club and shoe rental options; and helpfulness of staff.

  3. Registration - The registration area is one of the most critical components of any golf outing. It sets the tone for the entire day. The registration table should be set up in a highly visible location, and should be manned two hours prior to the scheduled arrival time of your guests. Ensure that adequate personnel will be available to maintain a smooth flow of traffic, keeping the registration area uncongested.

  4. Speed of Play - Maintaining an adequate speed of play is an important aspect in ensuring a successful golf outing. Slow play is annoying to other golfers and can disrupt the timetable for other planned activities. A quality round of golf should never exceed 4 - 4 1/2 hours.

    The speed of play can be managed by correctly pairing the members of your group by playing ability, or by choosing a format of play that produces timely rounds. Make sure course staff takes appropriate measures to guarantee that play progresses at a suitable pace. Request that course rangers monitor play thoughout the day. Progress updates should be provided periodically to facilitate a smooth flow leading from the conclusion of play to the start of your banquet (or other outing events).

  5. Shot Gun vs. Tee Times - Listed below are the advantages and disadvantages of the two standard formats for golf outings.
    1. Shot Gun Starts
        Advantages
      • Shot gun starts permit all group participants to start and finish at the same time. This allows the group to remain together for other events.
      • The entire group arrives at the banquet facility at one time.
      • Can be scheduled for the early afternoon, allowing participants to get in a full morning of work.
      • Speeds up play.
        Disadvantages
      • Minimum group size of 100 + is often required by location course.
      • Starting time typically limited to 8-9 am and 12-1 pm.
      • Guarantees for the number of group participants held to strickly, due to exclusive use of golf course.

    2. Tee Time Starts
        Advantages
      • Allows for a variety of starting times to suit golfers needs.
      • Can maximize outing capacity (up to 220 players between 8 am and 1 pm)
      • Flexibility allowed for guarantees on group size.
        Disadvantages
      • Time separation between first and last group
      • Challenging to keep a captive audience for banquet participation
      • Slower speed of play


  6. Contests - Contests can be an enjoyable source of entertainment and provide numerous sponsorship opportunities. However, don't overload your event with too many contests. Too many contests slow down play.

    Here are some suggested contests:

    1. Longest Drive
    2. Skins Game
    3. Closest to Pin
    4. Putting Contest
    5. Nearest to the Line
    6. Mulligan Sales
    7. Pot-of-Gold
    8. Flying Lady
    9. Beat the Pro
    10. Blind Partner

    Contact your host Professional for details.

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