Skip to main content

Maximizing Fun with Side Games in Your Golf League

 

Adding side games to your golf league events can inject fun, excitement, and camaraderie among players. Whether you’re organizing a closest-to-the-pin contest or introducing creative challenges, side games provide an opportunity for players of all skill levels to shine. Here’s how to make side games a successful and enjoyable part of your league.

 

 Why Include Side Games?

Side games add variety and keep players engaged throughout the season. They offer opportunities for players who may not top the leaderboard to still walk away with a win. It also encourages interaction and builds connections among league members.

Popular Side Games to Consider

  • Closest to the Pin: Challenge players to land their tee shot closest to the hole on a designated par-3.
  • Longest Drive: See who can hit the farthest drive on a specific hole while staying in the fairway.
  • Skins Game: Reward the player with the lowest score on a hole that no one else matches.
  • Birdie or Better Challenge: Offer a prize for the most birdies or better during a round.
  • Putting Contests: Before or after the event, set up a putting competition to test precision and nerves.

How to Organize Side Games

  • Set Clear Rules: Define the rules for each game before the event and make sure players understand them.
  • Designate Holes: Choose specific holes for contests like longest drive or closest to the pin to keep the games organized.
  • Prepare Prizes: Offer small prizes or recognition for winners, such as gift cards, trophies, or league points.

Encourage Participation

Side games should be optional but easy to join. Announce them during event briefings or include them in event communication. Players are more likely to participate if they know the rules and rewards upfront.

Use Technology for Simplicity

Platforms like WAGL can help you track side game results in real-time. Integrate contests into your league events to streamline scoring and make it easy to announce winners immediately after the round.

Foster Friendly Competition

Side games are a great way to create friendly rivalries and encourage interaction among players. They add a layer of excitement that keeps players talking about the event long after it’s over.

Wrap Up with a Celebration

Highlight the winners of side games during post-round gatherings. Celebrate their achievements, share stories about standout moments, and keep the atmosphere light and enjoyable.

Side games are a fantastic way to enhance your golf league events, making them more dynamic and engaging for players of all skill levels. With a little creativity and the right tools, you can create memorable experiences that keep your league buzzing with excitement.

 

 

 JF Bertrand - wagl.golf

 

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Top Tips for Organizing a Memorable Golf Tournament

  Organizing a golf tournament can be an exciting way to bring your league together, raise funds, or celebrate a season. However, ensuring everything runs smoothly and leaves a lasting impression requires careful planning and attention to detail. Here are some top tips for organizing a memorable golf tournament.     Choose the Right Format Select a game format that suits your audience and goals. Whether it’s a scramble for fun, stroke play for competition, or a themed format like “Glow Golf,” the right format can set the tone for the event and attract participation. Plan Ahead Start planning your tournament well in advance. Secure a golf course, set a date, and organize the logistics early to avoid last-minute stress. Create a checklist for key tasks like booking tee times, assigning players to flights, and arranging prizes. Incorporate Side Games and Challenges Add fun contests like longest drive, closest to the pin, or putting challenges to keep players engaged througho...
Post a Comment
Read more

Why We Built WAGL: A Smarter Way to Run Golf Leagues

  If you’ve ever run a golf league, you know the grind: late-night text chains, scattered spreadsheets, missed payments, confused players, and that one guy asking, “Wait, who’s winning again?” We’ve been there — and we were tired of it too. That’s why we started building WAGL : the World Association of Golf Leagues — a smarter, simpler way to manage leagues, track standings, and handle finances, all in one place.   🧠 Built By League Admins, For League Admins WAGL isn’t another cookie-cutter app. It’s being built by people who’ve managed real leagues, juggled weekly events, tracked skins pots, and fielded every “Did you get my Venmo?” message imaginable. We’re designing WAGL around the pain points we’ve lived through: ✅ Setting up events with ease ✅ Tracking live standings without delay ✅ Handling buy-ins, payouts, and ledger balances automatically ✅ Offering players a clean, modern experience they actually enjoy using ⚙️ Not Live Yet — But Close We’re not lau...
Post a Comment
Read more

🏌️‍♂️ Why Every Golf League Needs a Digital Scoring App in 2025

  If you're still using spreadsheets, texts, or group chats to manage your golf league… it's time for an upgrade. In 2025, the smartest leagues are ditching paper and embracing digital scoring platforms — and for good reason. Here’s why your league should be doing the same. 1. Instant Scoring, Zero Hassle No more waiting until the end of the round to tabulate results. With a digital scoring app like WAGL , scores are updated in real time , so players know exactly where they stand — and the competition stays hot.  2. Fairer Play with Automated Handicaps Handicap calculations can be a headache. WAGL handles it all automatically, keeping things transparent and fair for everyone. 3. Engaged Golfers, Every Week When golfers see leaderboards, stats, and performance trends each week, they’re way more likely to stay engaged and show up. WAGL turns your league into something players talk about all week long. 4. One Tap League Management From pairings to payouts, WAGL gives a...
Post a Comment
Read more