Golf 101: A Beginner’s Guide for Nonprofit Event Planners
Planning a charity golf tournament is an effective way to raise funds for your nonprofit through a fun, social activity, but if you’re unfamiliar with the sport, the terminology can feel overwhelming. Don’t sweat—this guide will walk you through some essential golf definitions, key terms, and basics of the game so you can confidently organize your golf fundraiser.
the very basics: what is golf?
Golf is a sport where players hit a small ball with clubs into a series of holes across a golf course in as few strokes as possible. Golfers often compete individually against the course to achieve the lowest score, but golf can also be played in teams.
A golf course usually has 18 holes, though some have only nine. Each hole presents a unique challenge with different distances, layouts, and obstacles (like sand bunkers or water hazards).
Common golf terms tournament planners should know
Understanding the basic terminology will help you when working with course staff, sponsors, and players. Here are some common terms you should know:
Birdie: Completing a hole using one fewer stroke than par. Two strokes under par is called an eagle.
Bogey: Completing a hole using one more stroke than par. Two strokes over par is called a double bogey.
Chip / Chipping: A short shot used to move the ball onto the green from a relatively close distance (usually hit with a wedge or shorter iron club).
Drive: A long-distance shot hit from the tee box, using a driver.
Driving Range: A practice area where players practice hitting balls toward targets.
Fairway: The well-maintained area of short grass between the tee box and the green. Golfers want their tee shots and subsequent approach shots to stay in the fairway.
Foursome: A team of four golfers. Most charity tournament teams are foursomes.
Green: The area around the hole with very short, manicured grass, designed for putting.
Handicap: A numerical measure of a golfer’s playing ability, representing the number of strokes above or below par they expect to shoot, which helps level the playing field by allowing players of different skill levels to compete more fairly.
Hazards: Obstacles on the course like bunkers (sand traps) and water hazards (ponds, lakes, or streams) that make the game more challenging and the course more visually appealing.
Hole: A circular hole in the ground in the green where players aim to get the ball into using the fewest possible strokes.
Hole-In-One: When a golfer gets the ball into the hole on their first shot. Charity tournaments often offer hole-in-one contests that award exciting prizes (backed by hole-in-one insurance) for achieving a hole-in-one.
Mulligan: Essentially a “do over” for a shot, where the golfer can hit the ball again without penalty. Mulligans are often sold at charity golf tournaments to raise additional funds.
Par: The expected number of strokes it should take a golfer to complete a hole. For example, a par-3 hole should take three strokes to finish.
Pin: A tall pole with a flag on the end that’s inserted into the hold to identify the location of the green. Sometimes also referred to as a flagstick.
Practice Green: A well-manicured area of the golf course where golfers practice putting. It usually includes several different holes to practice hitting into.
Putt / Putting: The shorter strokes used to roll the ball into the hole, using a putter.
Rough: Areas of longer grass or uneven terrain surrounding the fairway and green where it’s typically much harder to hit the ball accurately.
Stroke: The act of hitting a golf ball with a golf club.
Tee Box: The starting point for each hole where players make their first hit, known as the tee shot or teeing off.
Golf equipment
Golf tournament participants typically bring their own equipment to play with, but it’s a good idea to know what some of the basic pieces of equipment are called:
Ball Marker: A small, flat object about the size of a coin that’s used to mark the position of a player’s ball on the green so it doesn’t impede another golfer’s shot.
Divot Repair Tool: A tool used to repair any scrapes or ball marks on the green to keep the playing surface smooth and playable.
Golf Bag: A large bag that holds and organizes a golfer’s clubs and other equipment, like golf balls, tees, glove, towel, etc.
Golf Balls: A small, typically white, ball designed with dimples to improve flight. Golfers usually carry several balls with them in case they lose one (which often happens in a water hazard or rough).
Golf Cart: A small vehicle driven by golfers to move across the golf course. Carts drive on the fairway or cart path, if one is available, but should never be driven on a green or tee box. Staff at the host golf facility can share more information about event day cart rules.
Golf Clubs: A set used to play golf that includes different types of clubs, each with a specific purpose (listed from longest to shortest):
Driver: This is the longest club in a set that golfers use for long distance shots. This club has the largest head.
Woods: Clubs with a round head that are used for long distance shots.
Irons: Versatile clubs that are numbered from three to nine; the higher numbers indicate a shorter distance. These clubs have an angled face and are typically used for mid-range shots.
Wedges: Specialized clubs used for shorter shots, especially near the green, or to hit out of a bunker or the rough.
Putter: Used on the green to roll the ball into the hole.
Golf Glove: A glove that improves grip and to help prevent blisters. The glove is worn on the golfer’s non-dominant hand.
Scorecard: A small card where players record the number of strokes taken on each hole. Digital scorecards via a mobile app can also be used in lieu of a paper scorecard.
Tee: A small stand inserted into the ground that lifts the ball off the ground for the initial shot on a hole.
fundamental golf rules, formats & scoring
Golf has a number of unique nuances for rules of play, event formats, and scoring options. Here are a few of the basics:
Gross Score: This score represents the total strokes a golfer takes during a round and does not factor in the golfer’s handicap.
Match Play: A format in which golfers compete with each other hole by hole. The winner of each hole earns a point, and the total number of points at the end of the round is the winner.
Net Score: A score calculated by taking the gross score and adjusting it for the golfer’s handicap, which is a better representation of their skill level.
Penalties: If a player hits the ball into a water hazard or loses it out of bounds, penalty strokes are added to their score.
Scramble Format: This tournament format is used most often for charity events as it allows golfers of all skill levels to participate and have fun. In a scramble, each player in a group hits a shot, and chooses the best one. The entire group then plays their next shots from that spot, and so on until the ball is in the hole.
Shotgun Start: A tournament format where all players begin their rounds simultaneously from different holes on the course, ensuring a faster and more organized event.
Stroke Play: A format in which the total number of strokes over the entire round establishes the winner; the player with the fewest strokes at the end of the game wins.
Tee Time: Assigned start times for players or groups. Golf tournaments can use tee times to keep play organized and avoid crowding on the course.
Type of golf courses
Choosing the right course for your event will depend on the golf facilities available in your area, plus your tournament goals, budget, and audience.
18-Hole Courses: A golf course with 18 holes, which is the standard layout for full golf rounds. This is a popular option for charity tournaments. The course is often broken up into the front nine, which are the first nine holes, and the back nine, which are the final nine holes.
9-Hole Courses: Perfect for smaller or shorter events. You can run two rounds to create an 18-hole event if needed.
Executive Courses: These courses are shorter and less difficult, designed for quick rounds or beginner-friendly events.
Putt Putt or Mini Golf Courses: A smaller version of a traditional golf course, featuring short holes that often have creative obstacles like windmills, ramps, and tunnels. A mini golf event is a great option for an organization interested in testing out the idea of a golf tournament or involving more age groups.
Final thoughts
Golf tournaments are an excellent way to raise funds, engage supporters, and expand your donor base—even if you don’t have much experience with the sport! Whether you choose a full 18-hole tournament or a putt putt event, the end goal is the same: to have fun while raising money for your mission.
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