A hole-in-one contest is one of the simplest and most exciting additions you can make to a charity golf tournament. It creates a buzz that starts before the event and builds throughout the day as each group approaches the contest hole. Here's exactly how to set one up, step by step.

Step 1: Choose the Right Hole

Select a par-3 hole that meets the minimum yardage requirements: 150 yards for men, 130 yards for women (measured from the designated tee to the center of the green). The hole should be visible enough that a witness stationed nearby can clearly see shots landing on the green.

Talk to the Head Golf Pro at your course. They can help you choose the best hole and ensure it meets all the requirements. Avoid holes with blind spots or unusual terrain that might complicate verification.

Step 2: Purchase Your Prize Package

We recommend purchasing your hole-in-one prize package at least 2 weeks before your tournament. This allows time for the physical tee sign to be shipped to your course. Rush orders are available if you need a faster turnaround — just contact us.

With HGA Golf, you choose between two packages: the Vacation Passport ($449) with 6 destination options, or the Epic Golf Getaway ($649) with premium golf resort options. Both include roundtrip airfare for two. No insurance required — it's a flat fee with no hidden costs.

Step 3: Promote the Contest

The more you promote the hole-in-one contest, the more excitement it generates. Here's a promotion timeline:

When you announce the tournament: Mention the hole-in-one prize in your initial registration materials. "This year's tournament features a chance to win a trip for two!" is a great registration motivator.
2-4 weeks before: Share the specific prize details on social media. Post destination photos. Create anticipation.
Day of registration: Mention the hole-in-one contest during the welcome briefing. Tell players which hole it's on and what the prize is.
On scorecards: Include a note about the hole-in-one contest on the scorecard so every player sees it throughout the round.

Step 4: Set Up on Tournament Day

On the morning of the tournament, place the professional tee sign at the designated contest hole. The sign displays the prize details and builds anticipation for every group that approaches.

Station a non-golfing witness at the hole. This is required — someone who is not playing in the tournament must be present at the contest hole to observe and verify any hole-in-one. This can be a volunteer, a course employee, or anyone who isn't a registered participant in the tournament.

Make sure the witness understands their role: they need to be attentive, watch each shot, and be prepared to sign an affidavit if a hole-in-one is made.

Step 5: If Someone Wins — What to Do

When a hole-in-one is made, here's your immediate checklist:

Verify the shot — Confirm with the non-golfing witness that the ball was holed in one stroke from the designated tee.
Collect documentation — Have the Head Golf Pro and the non-golfing witness sign the affidavit confirming the hole-in-one.
Get winner info — Collect the winner's name, phone number, and email address.
Submit same day — Send the winner's information and signed affidavit to HGA Golf the same day as the tournament.
Celebrate — Make an announcement at the reception. Take photos. Share the news on social media. This is a great story for your organization!

After you submit the winner info, HGA Golf's booking team takes over. They contact the winner, present the destination options from the package you purchased, and handle all travel arrangements.

Quick Tips

Don't forget the witness. This is the most common setup mistake.
Place the tee sign where it's visible from the tee box, not hidden behind a tree.
Brief your volunteer witness before the first group arrives.
Keep a copy of the contest rules at the hole for reference.
If you have multiple par-3s that qualify, choose the one with the best spectator vantage point.

How to Run a Hole-in-One Contest at Your Golf Tournament