Alright, so you want to know how I usually go about planning a golf outing? It’s a bit of a process, not gonna lie, but totally doable if you tackle it step-by-step. I’ve done a few of these, some small, some a bit bigger, and here’s kinda how my brain works through it.
Getting the Ball Rolling
First off, the idea usually just pops up, right? Maybe after a round, or someone mentions “we should all play together sometime.” So, the very first thing I do is just float the idea out there to a core group. You know, the regulars or the folks I think would definitely be interested. I’ll send a quick text or mention it in a group chat: “Hey, thinking of putting together a golf day sometime next month, who’s potentially in?” This just gives me a super rough headcount, like are we talking 4 people or 20? Makes a huge difference for everything else.
Nailing Down the Who and When
Once I see there’s enough interest, say more than just a single foursome, I start thinking about dates. This part can be like herding cats, seriously. I usually throw out a couple of potential weekend dates, or maybe a Friday if it’s that kind of crowd. I’ll use something simple, like a Doodle poll or just ask in the group chat, “How does Saturday the 15th or Sunday the 16th look for folks?” You gotta be a bit flexible here. Someone’s always got something on.
At the same time, I’m also trying to get a feel for the budget. No point planning a fancy private course day if everyone’s looking for something more low-key. I’ll usually just ask straight up, “What’s everyone comfortable spending, roughly? Like, are we thinking $50 green fees or $100+?” This helps narrow down course options massively.
Finding the Perfect Patch of Grass
Okay, so I’ve got a rough number of people and a target date range. Now the real legwork begins: finding a course. I start by listing out courses in a reasonable driving distance. Then I’ll hop on their websites or, honestly, just call them. I’m looking for a few key things:
- Availability: Can they even take a group of our size on our preferred dates?
- Price: Does it fit the budget we talked about? I always ask about group rates or any deals they might have.
- Tee Time Format: Can we get consecutive tee times? Or are we looking at a shotgun start if it’s a really big group (though that’s usually for much larger events).
- What’s Included: Carts? Range balls? Sometimes they have packages.
I usually make a little spreadsheet or just a note on my phone comparing a few options. Once I find a good candidate that ticks most of the boxes, I’ll tentatively book it or at least put a hold on the tee times if they let me. Pro tip: Always confirm the cancellation policy!
The Nitty-Gritty Details
With a course and date locked in, I send out a more formal invite. This will have all the solid details:
- Course Name & Address
- Date & First Tee Time
- Cost per person
- RSVP deadline (super important!)
- How to pay (if I’m collecting money upfront, which I usually do to avoid no-shows or me being out of pocket)
I also like to decide on a simple format. For most of my casual outings, a simple scramble is great. It keeps things fun, less pressure, especially if you have golfers of different skill levels. I’ll mention this in the invite too, so people know what to expect.
Herding the Cats (Again) and Getting Paid
Then comes the chasing. You’ll always have a few stragglers for RSVPs and payment. I send a reminder a week or so before the deadline. It’s just part of the deal. Once I have the final numbers and everyone’s paid up, I confirm everything with the golf course. I also start thinking about pairings. I try to mix it up, maybe put people who know each other together, or mix skill levels if it’s a scramble.
The Day Of and After
On the day of the outing, my main job is just to make sure everyone knows where to be and when. I’ll usually get to the course a bit early. If we decided on any little extras, like closest-to-the-pin or longest drive, I’ll make sure I have markers for that. Sometimes we grab food or drinks at the clubhouse afterward, which is always a good time to hand out any silly prizes and just hang out.
And that’s pretty much it! After the event, maybe I’ll send out a group message with a “thanks for coming” and share any photos. It’s a bit of work, sure, but seeing everyone have a good time on the course makes it totally worth it. Each time I do it, I learn a little something new that makes the next one a bit smoother.
