
Take all the attendees that signed up to golf and split them into teams. You can easily do a four-person scramble with a shotgun start. For those unfamiliar, a shotgun start places a team at each of the 18 holes and they all tee-off at the same time. With a scramble, everyone tees off and then the best ball lay of the four players is played, both on the fairway and on the green.
Hole Contests
Adding contests to each hole is a sure-fire way to add some fun to the game. You have your standards - closest tee shot, longest drive, longest putt, closest to the water while staying in the fairway, closest to the pin, etc. - but there are some fun contests to include as well. Does the golf course have a tricky water hazard? How about a contest for the most lost balls? Award someone for the most time spent in a bunker. You can even award for the shortest drive, worst tee shot and worst putt!
Creative Shots
Consider changing things up a bit and get creative with the shots. On the shortest par 3, players must putt with the club they teed off with. On a long par 4, at the tee choose either a wooden baseball bat or throwing the ball as far as possible (this doesn’t necessarily have to count as a stroke). Pick a hole and have players putt with a pool noodle or a wooden canoe paddle. Golf ball, corner pocket - have players putt with a pool cue!
Prizes
There are inexpensive prizes that one can easily find for each hole contest or take an opportunity to incorporate swag from the company that is holding the meeting. Tie in other aspects of your meetings and award prizes to the attendee who traveled the farthest, the most people in a car pool and the person who has attended the most meetings. These golf outings also present an opportunity to bring in sponsors. They can provide prizes for the holes they sponsor.
Golf doesn’t always have to be serious, there’s plenty of time for that on any other day. Incorporating some of these crazy ideas is an excellent way to get your attendees out of the meeting room, enjoying each others company and having a great time.