17 Golf Event Hole Challenges to Amp Up the Fun
Most golf events are in a scramble format. This format creates a fun team atmosphere and reduces the pressure of a traditional round of golf. But even scrambles can get boring, especially when a team is only using shots from 1 or 2 of the best players. In addition, most golf events tend to have several skill prizes such as closest to the pin, long drive, or a hole in one challenge. While these can be fun, most of the participants have no chance to win. Designating some holes with a challenge or different format can make the event unique and memorable. These challenges can also introduce an element of strategy and team camaraderie that will enhance the experience. Here are several fun hole challenge ideas that you can integrate into your next golf tournament or golf event.
Worst Shot
Most golf events are in scramble format which means each player on the team hits a shot and then the best one is chosen and all players hit again from there. For the Worst Shot hole, this is flipped, and players must play from the worst shot instead of the best. The players can pick the shot in which they use the worst shot as long as it’s not a putt. For example, if all players hit a drive and one player hit a bomb while another player hit one out of bounds, the team can opt to play from the worst shot for their second shot. This challenge adds both strategy and skill as there are a lot factors to consider. It also makes everyone’s shot count!
Tin Cup
One of the greatest golf movies ever made is Tin Cup. In the movie, there is a famous scene where in the middle of a tournament, Roy McAvoy breaks every club in his bag except for a 7 iron. He then proceeds to play the rest of the round with only the 7 iron and still shoots even par! As you may have guessed, the Tin Cup hole requires all players to use only a 7-iron for the entire hole. Even putting!
Step Aside
In the Step Aside format, if you select a player’s shot they are eliminated from hitting the next shot. This fun challenge allows for some other players to contribute to the team (and gives the ringer a rest!).
Two Man
This challenge requires the team to split up into two teams and play two two-man scrambles. This challenge is fun as it requires some thought and strategy around who to pair up on teams. It also gives some of the less skilled players a chance to contribute. Each team will record their score and then the two scores are added together to get a team score.
Random Tee Shot
The Random Tee Shot challenge requires each player to roll a 12-sided dice with each side representing a club. Players roll the Random Club Dice and must use whatever club they land on for their tee shot. Imagine trying to hit a driver into a 100 yard par 3. Prizes can be awarded for hitting the green or you can sell ‘mulligans’ where players can get another chance but have to roll the dice again. This fun challenge levels the playing field and adds a fun and challenging element to the hole
Relay Throw
In this challenge, players can attempt a relay throw by throwing the ball to a teammate and if caught, can be thrown to the next teammate. The next shot is played from where the ball is dropped or from the result of the last teammates throw. This challenge is both fun and can result in some pretty unbelievable scores (a 1 on a par 5 is possible).
Reversal
A hole is traditionally player by hitting a driver off the tee, and iron or wedge on the second shot, and then eventually a putter. This challenge turns the hole backwards by making each player tee off with a wedge, hit their second shot with a 6-9 iron, the third shot with a 3-5 iron, and finish the hole with wood or driver. Saving par on this challenge feels like a birdie!
Shamble
Instead of the traditional scramble, the team will select the best drive and then each player will play their own ball from there. The scores to par of each player are aggregated for the team score.
One Club
This challenge requires the team to select one club to use until reaching the green! The team must select one club for all players so some thought and strategy must be put into the club selection.
No Putter
This challenge requires each member of the team to pick a club other than their putter to putt with.
Fairway Only
Get your fairway finder out because this challenge requires that only shots from the fairway or green can be played. If no player hits the fairway, a one stroke penalty is incurred.
Guard Rail
This challenge allows the team to use the flagstick as a guard rail on any shot or putt. This will definitely increase the birdies (or better) and fun for sure!
Croquet
Before the event starts, two tee markers (or other objects) will be placed on the green about a club length apart. The team must pass a shot through that barrier before holing out. This challenge requires strategy and precision!
Bunker Scramble
When you're playing a scramble you're usually not expecting to hit many bunker shots but in this challenge the team MUST hit into and play out of at least one bunker. Its a fun challenge where par feels like a birdie!
Box Pick
This challenge requires all players tee off from a different tee box adding strategy and additional skill. The team must come together and agree on who should tee off from which box. This challenge is best deployed on a par 3.
Dominant Arm Throw
The challenge allows all players on the team to throw the ball with the dominant arm at any point in the hole. Toss in a birdie putt and it counts as an eagle!
Bowl Putt
This challenge allow all members of the team to bowl the ball underhand when they're on the green. The bowl does not count as a stroke!