Contests & Side Games

Add exciting side competitions to your golf events with contests like Closest to Pin, Longest Drive, and Hole-in-One challenges.

What Are Contests?

Contests are optional side games that run alongside your main tournament. They add excitement, create additional engagement opportunities, and are essential for fundraising at charity events. Unlike competitions (which track scores across the round), contests focus on specific achievements at designated holes.

Contest Types

Hole-in-One Contest

The most exciting contest at any golf event. A player who makes a hole-in-one wins a major prize, often a car or large cash award.

Setup considerations:

• Assign to a par 3 hole with good visibility
• Typically requires hole-in-one insurance
• Prize value should match your event budget and insurance coverage
• Popular choice for corporate and charity events

Closest to Pin (CTP)

Measure which player’s tee shot lands closest to the pin on par 3 holes.

Setup considerations:

• Usually placed on multiple par 3 holes (one per par 3)
• Requires a volunteer or staff member to measure and record distances
• Distances measured in feet and inches
• Multiple winners possible (one per hole)

Longest Drive

Award the player who hits the longest drive in the fairway on a designated hole.

Setup considerations:

• Select a wide, straight par 4 or par 5
• Ball must be in the fairway to qualify
• One winner per designated hole
• Popular with players who enjoy showcasing their power

Straightest Drive

Award the player whose drive lands closest to the center line of the fairway.

Setup considerations:

• Select a hole with a defined center line
• Useful alternative to longest drive for narrower holes
• Emphasizes accuracy over distance
• Great for creating multiple contest opportunities

Putting Contest

A separate putting competition, typically on the practice green before or after the round.

Setup considerations:

• Set up on practice putting green
• Define the putting challenge (distance, number of attempts)
• Can run as timed competition or distance-based
• Good for registration area engagement

Creating a Contest

Step 1: Access Contest Management

1. Navigate to your event dashboard
2. Click on Contests in the sidebar menu
3. Click Add Contest to create a new contest

Step 2: Basic Information

Configure the fundamental contest details:

Step 3: Hole Assignment

Assign the contest to a specific hole:

1. Select the Hole Number from the dropdown
2. For Hole-in-One: Choose a par 3
3. For Longest Drive: Choose a par 4 or par 5
4. For CTP: Choose a par 3

Note: Each hole can have multiple contests (e.g., both a sponsor contest and a main prize contest on the same hole).

Step 4: Prize Configuration

Define what winners receive:

Step 5: Sponsor Information (Optional)

Add sponsor branding to the contest:

Sponsors appreciate visibility at contests. Consider:

• On-course signage at the contest hole
• Mention in event materials
• Recognition at awards ceremony
• Social media mentions

Step 6: Hole-in-One Insurance (If Applicable)

For hole-in-one contests with significant prizes:

Important: Contact your insurance provider for specific claim procedures. Most require:

• Official witness (typically a course marshal)
• Signed attestation from playing partners
• Video evidence (if available)
• Immediate notification to the insurance company

Managing Contest Entries

Submitting Entries

Entries can be submitted by:

• Staff/Volunteers stationed at contest holes
• Event Administrators from the dashboard
• Playing Group Scorers (if enabled)

Entry Information

When submitting an entry, record:

Verifying Entries

For accurate results, entries should be verified:

1. Navigate to the contest in your dashboard
2. View the Entries list
3. Click Verify next to entries that have been confirmed
4. Verified entries display a checkmark indicator

Verification best practices:

• Have witnesses sign off on results
• For CTP, use consistent measurement tools
• For Longest Drive, confirm ball is in the fairway
• Document any disputed entries with notes

Editing and Removing Entries

Administrators can:

• Edit entry details (correct measurements, player assignments)
• Remove invalid entries (wrong hole, disqualified player)
• Add entries missed during live play

Contest Leaderboards

Viewing Contest Results

Each contest has its own leaderboard showing:

• Player Name
• Result (distance or achievement)
• Verification Status
• Entry Time

Leaderboard Updates

Contest leaderboards update in real-time as entries are submitted. Share the leaderboard link on:

• Course monitors/TVs
• Event website
• Social media channels
• Player mobile devices

Active vs. All Contests

• Active Contests: Currently accepting entries during the event
• All Contests: Complete list including draft and completed contests

Contest Lifecycle

Contests move through three states:

Draft

• Contest created but not visible to players
• Use for pre-event setup and testing
• Configure all details before activating

Active

• Contest is live and accepting entries
• Appears on player-facing leaderboards
• Volunteers can submit results

Completed

• No more entries accepted
• Final results locked
• Winners can be announced

Transitioning states:

1. From Draft to Active: Click Activate when event begins
2. From Active to Completed: Click Complete after last group plays through

Best Practices

Contest Placement

Staffing Contests

• Station a volunteer at each contest hole
• Provide measurement tools (tape measure, yardage wheel)
• Supply entry forms or mobile access for digital entry
• Brief volunteers on rules and verification procedures

Prize Strategy

Sponsor Integration

Maximize sponsor value:

• Display sponsor logos on course signage at contest holes
• Mention sponsors during announcements
• Include sponsor information in printed materials
• Tag sponsors in social media posts about contest winners
• Provide sponsors with winner photos for their marketing

Troubleshooting

Contest Not Appearing for Players

Check:

1. Contest status is set to Active (not Draft)
2. Contest is assigned to the correct event
3. Hole number is correctly configured

Entry Not Saving

Check:

1. Player is registered for the event
2. Required fields are completed (player, result)
3. Network connection is stable
4. Contest is in Active status

Measurement Disputes

When players dispute a measurement:

1. Document both claimed measurements
2. Have a neutral party re-measure if possible
3. Administrator makes final decision
4. Note the dispute in the entry comments

Multiple Players Tied

If two or more players have identical results:

• For CTP: Most recent entry is the tiebreaker (earlier entry wins)
• For Longest Drive: Measure to the inch for precision
• For Ties: Administrator determines tiebreaker (chip-off, scorecard comparison, etc.)

Integration with Events

Contests integrate seamlessly with your event:

• Registration: Mention contests during player signup
• Schedule: Include contest locations in printed materials
• Scoring: Contest entries appear in player activity
• Leaderboards: Separate contest results from main competition
• Awards: Announce contest winners alongside tournament results