A Business Woman's Guide to Golf Tournament Formats and Must-Have Essentials

Golf tournaments

offer a unique blend of competition, camaraderie, and charity, making them a popular activity among professionals across various industries, including corporate executives, realtors, lawyers, and more. For women navigating the realms of business, understanding the nuances of golf tournament formats can be crucial for networking, fundraising, and simply enjoying the game.

This guide

will delve into the most common golf pro-am, networking, and fundraising tournament formats, to prepare women who might need to attend one someday. Additionally, we'll include a checklist of essentials to bring along, ensuring you're prepared for any weather condition.

Pro-Am Tournaments

Pro-Am tournaments are a blend of professional and amateur golfers, typically featuring teams composed of one professional and three or four amateurs. The format can vary, but it often includes best-ball or scramble formats to level the playing field and keep the game enjoyable for all skill levels.

Seen At: These tournaments are common at both local club levels and major PGA or LPGA events, offering amateurs the unique opportunity to play alongside professional golfers. They're excellent for networking and learning directly from pros.

Networking Tournaments

Scramble is the go-to format for many corporate and networking golf events. In a scramble, each player tees off, and the team selects the best shot to play next. This process repeats until the ball is holed. It's a format that encourages teamwork and interaction, making it perfect for networking.

Seen At: Corporate outings, industry conferences, and business meetings often utilize this format to facilitate networking in a relaxed, outdoor setting. It's less about the competition and more about building relationships.

Fundraising Tournaments

Best Ball and Golf Marathons are popular formats for charity and fundraising events. In Best Ball, each player plays their own ball, and the lowest score on each hole counts as the team score. Golf Marathons challenge participants to play a large number of holes (e.g., 100) to raise funds through pledges.

Seen At: These formats are chosen for their ability to engage a wide range of participants, from serious golfers to casual players, maximizing fundraising potential through participation and sponsorship.

Regardless of the tournament format, being prepared is key.

General Essentials:

• Check with club or tournament organizer about dress code and what other activities besides golf are included in the day. You will want to choose an outfit that can take you from golf to the party in style. (Some locations are more casual and others are more formal. It's best to know so you can feel confident with your wardrobe choices on the day.)
• A basic first aid kit
• Snacks that won't spoil
• Business cards for networking
• A portable phone charger
• Golf tees (wooden or plastic) - These are also available in every golf shop if you forget.
• A hydrating drink - again you can purchase on site if they don't allow outside F&B.

Understanding the format of the golf tournament you're attending can significantly enhance your experience, whether you're there to network, fundraise, or simply enjoy a day on the course. Equally important is being prepared for any weather condition, ensuring that nothing distracts you from your game or the opportunity to connect with others. With this guide, you'll be well-equipped to make the most of any golf event you attend.