Score a Hole-in-One With a Golf Themed Party
Avril Whelehan
Contributor
April signals one thing for golf lovers: The Masters at Augusta National Golf Course in Georgia. This staple in the golf calendar is often considered the most popular of the four Majors, drawing a massive following for decades! Watching it on the big screen at home may give you a mild case of FOMO, but fear not! We’re here to help you hit a hole-in-one when planning a golf themed party for The Masters.
Feeling a bit “green” when it comes to planning a golf party? Whether you want a golf par tee get-together or you’re on “par” for a proper blowout, there are lots of creative things you can do to entertain guests while celebrating.
A golf themed party is an original choice for a bachelor or bachelorette party, a college reunion, birthday party, retirement party, or simply a good old-fashioned excuse to get your golf pals together.
Here are golf party ideas to make sure you’re on par this year:
Golf Party Entertainment
Variety Band
You can’t go wrong with a variety band that can entertain guests with a vast selection of lively and popular tunes! Extra brownie points if the crew can play songs with Georgia in the title, such as “Midnight Train to Georgia” and “Rainy Night in Georgia”.
Because golf tournaments are unpredictable, there’s no definite time that the competition will end, so maybe hire the band before The Masters finale really heats up, to get your guests loosened up and in the mood to celebrate.
DJ
Low on space to host a full-blown live band? Don’t stress: you can hire a local DJ who will spin the decks and play some ambient background music or party tunes to get people up dancing after the final hole. The great thing about hiring a DJ is that you won’t have to worry about the music stopping or tensions arising over what playlist to stream next.
Bartender
Having a bartender at your golf party takes the heat off you and your co-hosts having to keep your guests' refreshments topped up. With a professional bartender, you can get back to the vital business of entertaining and enjoying the golf game on television, which is the only drama that’s welcome at this party!
Keynote Speaker
A motivational speaker…at a party, you ask?! Well, anyone who has ever had a bad round of golf one day and a great one the next will testify that golf is as much a game of mental stamina as it is a physical one. So, why not get a motivational speaker, preferably one with knowledge of sports psychology, to give you and your golf gang a pep talk on how to get your mind in gear ahead of your next round?
Golf Themed Party Activities
Mini Golf or Putting Competition
Whether you’re hosting a small indoor get-together or an outdoor garden party for The Masters Tournament, mini golf or a small putting competition will make a fun addition. There are digital golf games and indoor practice putters out there, so why not set up a small space in the corner for an entertaining and competitive putting session!
If you have access to someone’s backyard or front lawn, you can look into hiring a mini-golf course with flags and golf clubs, adding to the atmosphere.
Guess that Golfer!
This game is an easy and entertaining diversion that will no doubt amuse and confuse your guests in just the right ratio. Find baby photos of famous golfers, new and old, and get guests into teams. The team that gets all or most babies correct in the shortest time might even be lucky enough to win a bag of tees or a trio of golf balls!
Upgrade your baby game by picking past winners of The Masters Tournament. Bonus points to the team who guesses the right baby AND the year the young prodigy won the much-loved Major.
Ryder Cup Rapid Trivia Round
OK, so The Ryder Cup isn’t a Major, but let’s face it, it’s one of THE most anticipated golf competitions on the planet. Split your guests into US and European teams, nominate captains, and get a quick-fire trivia round going that’s solely devoted to The Ryder Cup!
Winner Winner Party Game
Each guest places their name and the name of their predicted Masters winner on a sheet of paper. Toss the scrunched-up pieces in a bowl, and voilà, you’ve got a cheap and cheerful game on your hands. Better yet, get guests to throw $5 or your going rate in too, and winner takes all, or multiple winners split the prize.
More Golf Party Ideas
Dress Code
We’re thinking preppy golf gear aplenty. From plus fours to visors and diamond-pattern jumpers to polo t-shirts, ensure your guests come dressed like they’re ready to impress at a fancy country club. Bonus points to the guest who adds a giant notebook and pen to their back pocket, as is the trend on the professional golf circuit, particularly in recent times!
Green Jacket
The coveted green jacket will eternally be associated with The Masters Tournament and Augusta National Golf Course. To be presented with the green jacket upon winning The Masters probably means as much, if not more, to the player and their loved ones as the money prize.
How about buying a green jacket either in a thrift store or budget department store and gifting it to the guest who deserves it most? (Either the winner of all or many of your fun games or the one who shows the most enthusiasm and effort throughout the event!)
Alternatively, go all out and set the dress code to green as a nod to the Augusta tradition, so everyone can feel like a winner!
Golf Party Decorations
Golf flags made into bunting or dotted around your party venue is an easy way to get things golfy in a flash! You could get some golf-themed balloon decor, too. You could add the home nation flags of competitors to your decorations list to give the space an international flavor.
Why not create an area in your venue called “The Bunker,” place a cooler with beers and some comfy seating, like bean bags, and create a VIP chill out zone for attendees. Go one better and find a sand pit for your outdoor space for an authentic bunker vibe.
Golf Balls
You don’t need party favors for your golf-themed soirée, but hey, who doesn’t love going home with a goodie bag, even as a grown adult? Why not buy some cheap golf balls and permanent markers (go wild and get colorful ones!) and get guests to personalize golf balls with their names, funny quotes, in-jokes, and more?
Golf Party Food
Sandwiches
Classics such as egg salad, pimento cheese, classic club sandwich, ham and cheese, or cucumber mayo sandwiches will go down a treat at your casual golf party. Mix it up with paninis, bagels, burritos, chicken wings, and any other hand-held bite that’s a guaranteed crowd pleaser.
DeChambeau-wich
It would be remiss not to come up with a Bryson DeChambeau-themed sandwich, given his name’s similar-sounding vibe! Apparently, the top pro golfer prefers a peanut butter and jelly sandwich before a big match day, but you can add whatever fillings tickle your fancy.
Golf Tee Appetizers
Serve cute appetizers on new and clean golf tees. From fresh fruit to cheese cubes and cocktail sausages, the golf tee will make the perfect party-themed substitute to the usual skewers and cocktail sticks.
Grill Favorites
OK, so it’s not a groundbreaking catering plan, but you cannot go wrong with a barbecue, especially when a sports event is involved. Fire up the hot coals, marinade your ribs and burgers, and chargrill some tasty vegetable kebabs to satisfy your golfing guests’ appetites. Ask attendees to bring salads and sides for a wholesome and inclusive feast.
Golf Party Drinks
The Arnold Palmer
This is a refreshing mix consisting of half lemonade and half iced tea, made universally famous thanks to the legendary golfer, Arnold Palmer (top tip: add vodka, and make it a John Daly in a nod to yet another renowned golf pro).
Signature Cocktails
Why not concoct your very own signature cocktail in honor of your favorite golfer? Some ideas include: The Lowry, which would see a combo of Jameson whiskey in a nod to the Irish pro, your go-to mixer, and a sprinkle of garnishes.
Or how about a nostalgic nod to 80s golfer Greg Norman, called The Great White Shark? This could include a fruity, tropical combo or a white concoction with something like Bailey’s as the main ingredient. Time to get creative!
Hole-in-Ones
Proceed with caution! If the mood takes you, why not serve up a tray of your favorite shots and get guests to, you guessed it, drink it like a hole-in-one! Better yet, have shots on standby as forfeits for your games segment, and encourage guests to cheer “IN THE HOOOOLLLLEEE!!” á-la-over-enthusiastic golf spectators at big televised competitions.
Beer Pitchers
This beverage idea might seem like a stretch but give it a chance. Pitch and Putt is a fun gateway game into the long-form golf arena. See? PITCHers of beer that you can PUTT out for guests… Even if this is the double bogey of creative drink ideas, it’s still somewhat on par with what you would expect from an article on golf-themed party ideas. And it’s worth a shot if you’re seeking a quick and easy beverage plan!
Fore! Venue Ideas for A Golf Themed Party
Pavilion
What better place to mark The Masters than a traditional sporting ground such as a pavilion? With its open sides and adjoining lawn or green area, pavilions offer a wonderful al fresco setting for casual and fun parties. Considering it’s April, you may wish to warn guests to layer up and wear their warmest hats!
Brewery
The traditional drink enjoyed by golfers upon completing a satisfying round of golf is cleverly known as “The 19th Hole.” Golf buddies often celebrate their success on the course or drown their sorrows for one too many bunker encounters by sipping a cool and refreshing beer. A brewery might be the perfect spot to get your friends together for a laid-back Masters shindig.
Private Room
From a loft to a private room in your favorite bar, hiring a room in a venue is a great way to host a party without the hassle of cleanup afterward! Usually, you can decorate private hired spaces within reason, so it’s a chance to get creative and enjoy the privacy of a separate area.
Backyard
Invite friends and family to watch The Masters Tournament in the comfort of your home and backyard. You can set the television up the way you like, fire up the grill, and monitor the volume when things get exciting in the final round!
Find more ideas and inspiration for your next event here on The Bash.
