Contests & Side Games

Run exciting side competitions alongside your trip’s main competition with prize tracking and real-time leaderboards.

Overview

Contests (also known as side games) are optional competitions that add excitement and engagement to golf trips. Unlike the main competition, contests focus on specific achievements at designated holes, creating additional prize opportunities and bragging rights.

Available Contest Types

Hole-in-One

A player who aces a designated par 3 wins the pot. The rarest — and most talked-about — win on any trip.

Perfect for: Ace pots on par 3s, trip-long bragging rights

Closest to Pin (CTP)

Measure which player’s tee shot lands closest to the hole on par 3s. Multiple players can win across different holes.

Perfect for: Every round of the trip, multiple daily winners

Longest Drive

Award the player who hits the longest drive in the fairway. Tests power and showcases skill.

Perfect for: Wide-open holes, settling who really is the big hitter

Straightest Drive

Award the drive closest to the fairway center line. Tests accuracy over power.

Perfect for: Giving the short-but-straight players a chance to win

Putting Contest

A separate putting competition on the practice green. Engages players before or after the round.

Perfect for: Killing time before tee-off, post-round entertainment

Key Features

Per-Hole Assignment

Assign contests to specific holes:

• Multiple contests per hole supported
• Par 3s for CTP and Hole-in-One
• Wide par 4/5s for Longest Drive
• Easily identify contest holes on course maps

Prize Management

Track prizes across all contests:

• Prize descriptions for player visibility
• Prize values for budgeting
• Support for cash, merchandise, and experience prizes
• Clear winner tracking for prize distribution

Entry Verification

Ensure accurate results with verification workflow:

• Organizers can verify entries at contest holes
• Verified vs. unverified status tracking
• Administrator override capability
• Audit trail for all entries

Real-Time Leaderboards

Live contest standings for player engagement:

• Instant updates as entries are submitted
• Shareable leaderboard links
• Mobile-optimized display
• Separate from main competition leaderboards

Measurement Tracking

Precise result recording:

• Distance tracking (feet, inches, yards)
• Automatic sorting by performance
• Tie-breaking support
• Historical result storage

Contest Lifecycle

Draft

Initial setup phase:

• Configure contest details
• Add prizes
• Test before going live
• Not visible to players

Active

Live competition phase:

• Accepting entries
• Real-time leaderboard updates
• Player visibility on contest standings
• Status persists throughout the trip

Completed

Final results phase:

• Entries locked for accuracy
• Winners finalized
• Prize distribution ready
• Results available for reporting

Use Cases

Buddy Trips

Fun side games for golf vacations:

• Cash pots for contest winners
• Daily contest opportunities
• Tracking across multiple rounds
• End-of-trip prize distribution

Integration Points

Trip Management

• Contests linked to specific trips
• Access from trip dashboard
• Included in trip reporting
• Visibility in player materials

Scoring System

• Contest entries visible in player activity
• Separate from round scoring
• Does not affect competition standings
• Complementary engagement layer

Leaderboards

• Dedicated contest leaderboards
• Separate from competition standings
• Shareable public links
• Mobile-responsive display

Reporting

Track contest performance:

• Entry counts per contest
• Winner information
• Prize distribution records

Getting Started

Ready to add contests to your next trip?

1. Create your first contest from your trip dashboard
2. Configure prizes
3. Activate contests when your trip begins
4. Announce winners at the end of the trip