REGISTRATION GIFTS
AND PRIZE IDEAS

There is no point in giving your golfers promotional material if it ends up in the next garage sale or even worse in the garbage

 You can save money, still, make an impact, and retain the players for next year.

If your gifts are donated and the players are disappointed, this will cost you more than you realize.

Here are some prize ideas to enhance your event:

Choose Non-Golf Gifts over Golf Gifts

Tournament participants are not often avid golfers. Tournament participants usually go out 2 times a year and the average number of rounds played by Canadian golfers is approximately 13 per year

Most participants are not into logoed pens, T-shirts, or coffee mugs. In fact, watch the reaction most players give as they look in their goody bags of inexpensive freebies. These items are more suited as a customer giveaway as opposed to a golf gift. If the donated pen goes in the trash and the t-shirt stays in the drawer, does that make a player remember your event fondly? Put something in the ‘swag bag’ that they will actually use, and will remind them of your event each time they use it.

Choose Understated Logos over Large Logos

The fashion these days is to keep logos small and subtle, so if you want players to use the item – use subtle logos

Keep in mind, your logo is perhaps more important to you than it is to the participants. Avoid turning your gifts into Goodwill donations. Golfers want small logos or no logo at all, so keep it subtle. Here are a few tips to help you out:

Embroidered cap with the golf course logo on the front and your event/business name on the back.

Microfiber pocket towel with your logo embroidered in the corner.

If you are going to choose clothing, choose brand name vs. generic. A brand often gives the customer some reassurance that they are getting a quality product. It also is a way to help ensure that the person receiving the gift is going to use it.

Whether it’s the Nike swoosh or the Ralph Lauren polo player, the logo stands out on most apparel items.

Stay Away from Items that you need Different Sizes or Left Hand/Right Hand Specific

The problem with sizable items is… it slows down the registration table when your guest needs to try things on and you may run out of a certain size.

Hats are great as long as they aren’t fitted.

Don’t Forget the Female Golfers

Plan on unisex gifts or better yet make sure you purchase a number of gifts specifically intended for your lady guests. 70% of all Canadian golfers are men, 30% are women.

Think of Gifts as Investments – Not Expenses

Golf tournament gifts do not have to be a costly expense, they are brand investments. Golf tournament prizes will either impress players positively or negatively. Experts say, “it is less expensive to keep a customer happy than it is to get a new one”.  Look at your prizes as your best opportunity to make positive lasting impressions. Choose gifts that are original, practical and actually get used! These are the best prizes.

Lorraine Ferrari has been a golf promotion expert for almost 2 decades. She has worked with golf tournaments from church fundraisers to charitable, corporate & restaurant events. To find the best golf gifts or hole in prizes you can reach her by e-mail:  [email protected]