Halloween Golf Tournament Ideas: Games, Names and Shirts

Halloween golf tournament ideas? Give the event a name, put every player in a themed shirt, add a pumpkin putting game or a chipping contest into a witch's pot, run a pumpkin carving or costume contest, and invite families for trick-or-tee-ing. Keep scares optional so every golfer has fun.

Below are the ideas, a simple format and tips for prizes. Want the team to match? Browse our Halloween golf shirts.

Halloween golf tournament ideas: start with a theme and a name

Golf software company foreUP collected examples from courses that celebrate Halloween well (foreUP: 9 Examples of Golf Courses Nailing It at Halloween). One course called its event "Birdies & Boos." A catchy name helps every flyer, sign and social post, and foreUP's reminder applies: put your theme on all event materials, from paperwork to invitations and signage.

Name ideas

• Birdies & Boos (the real example from foreUP)
• The Fright Nine
• Monster Mash Scramble
• Haunted Links Classic
• Trick or Tee

Themed shirts instead of full costumes

Costumes are the biggest part of Halloween, but foreUP warns they "don't tend to be very conducive or practical to swinging a club." The course behind Birdies & Boos handed every player a shirt instead, and foreUP points out such a shirt "will likely be worn many times." A themed golf polo keeps the look festive and the swing free. Players who want more flair can add a fun hat.

Halloween golf games for the tournament

• Pumpkin putting: carve a giant mouth into a pumpkin and set up a putting game on the practice green, an easy idea foreUP recommends for courses short on time.
• Witch's pot chipping contest: chip into a cauldron on the practice green; ask a local business to sponsor a prize for anyone who holes it.
• Pumpkin carving contest: golf-themed jack-o'-lanterns get extra points.
• Costume or best-dressed team: judge at the turn or at the awards.
• Photo contest: reward the best photo taken and tagged at the course.

For the format, a scramble keeps pace quick and lets every skill level play together; see what is a scramble in golf.

Make it a family event

foreUP suggests trick-or-tee-ing: a trunk-or-treat at each hole, or in the parking lot or clubhouse if you do not want to slow other groups. For an adults-only event, hand out tees and ball markers instead of candy. Have plenty of candy for kids.

Know your audience

"Not all golfers are fans of Halloween," foreUP notes, and some do not want zombies popping out of the rough. Keep jump scares optional, and make costumes and themed outfits a choice, not a rule.

Prizes and sponsors

Ask local businesses to donate prizes in return for exposure on signs and social posts. Small, themed prizes work well: candy buckets, sleeve of balls, pro shop credit or matching shirts for the winning team.

Matching Halloween golf shirts for your team

Our Halloween golf shirts include ghosts, black cats, pumpkins and orange argyle, with a custom name or team name. Styles such as men's polo, men's long sleeve polo and women's polo vary by design, so check each product page for styles and sizes. Planning another holiday event? Read our St. Patrick's Day golf tournament ideas.

FAQ

What are some Halloween ideas for golf?

Themed shirts, a pumpkin putting game, a chipping contest into a witch's pot, pumpkin carving and trick-or-tee-ing for families.

What are some good names for Halloween golf tournaments?

Birdies & Boos, The Fright Nine, Monster Mash Scramble, Haunted Links Classic or Trick or Tee.

Should golfers wear costumes in a Halloween tournament?

Optional. Full costumes can get in the way of the swing, so many events use themed shirts and let players add a fun hat.

What format works best for a Halloween golf tournament?

A scramble keeps play moving and lets golfers of every level enjoy the event.