How to run a charity golf scramble
A charity scramble is the easiest golf format to organize and the most fun for mixed-ability fields — which is exactly why it's the go-to for fundraisers. Here's a step-by-step checklist from picking a date to posting the final leaderboard.
1. Lock the basics: date, course, and goal
Pick a date (weekday mornings are cheapest; weekends fill faster), confirm the course and a shotgun start, and set a fundraising goal. Work backward from the goal to decide your entry fee and how many sponsorships you need.
2. Choose the format
A four-person scramble is the standard. If you want a bit more individual play, a shamble is a popular alternative. See the scramble formats guide for Texas, two-man, and other variations.
3. Build your sponsorship menu
Tiered sponsorships are where most of the money comes from:
- Title / presenting sponsor — top billing on signage and the leaderboard.
- Hole sponsors — a sign at each tee; the easiest sell to local businesses.
- Cart, beverage, and prize sponsors — smaller add-ons that stack up.
4. Open registration and collect entries
Set a team price and a player price, share a sign-up link, and track who's paid. Send a confirmation with the date, start time, and what's included.
5. Add on-course games
Longest drive, closest to the pin, a putting contest, mulligan packages, and a skins pot all raise extra money and add fun. Sell them at check-in.
6. Plan prizes and the day-of flow
Line up prizes for the winning team and the contests (donated prizes protect your margin). On the day: check-in and cart assignments, a shotgun start, scoring as you play, and an awards moment once the leaderboard is final.
7. Make scoring effortless
The old way — paper cards collected at the turn and tallied by hand — is slow and error-prone. Print a QR cart sign for each team, let captains tap in scores from their phone, and show a live leaderboard on the clubhouse TV. It looks professional and frees you up to run the event.
Frequently asked questions
Why is a scramble the best format for a charity tournament?
Because every team plays one ball from the best shot, a scramble is fast, forgiving, and fun for golfers of every skill level — beginners never hold up the field and everyone contributes. That keeps a big, mixed group moving and enjoying the day, which is what a fundraiser needs.
How many players are in a charity scramble?
Most charity scrambles use four-player teams (a foursome) with a shotgun start so everyone tees off at once and finishes together. Field sizes typically run from 18 to 36 teams (72–144 players) depending on the course.
How do charity golf tournaments make money?
Revenue comes from team/player entry fees, hole and event sponsorships, mulligan and raffle sales, and add-ons like skins or a longest-drive contest. Keeping costs down (donated prizes, comped or discounted greens fees) is just as important as raising money.
How do you score a charity scramble?
Each foursome records one team score per hole. With mashie, each team's captain scans a QR code on their cart and taps in scores from their phone — no app or login — and a live leaderboard updates for the clubhouse screen automatically.
Score your scramble free — add sponsors when you want
mashie runs the whole event: printable QR cart signs, no-login captain scoring, and a live gross/net leaderboard. Free to run; add your sponsors' logos to the signs and leaderboard for a one-time $79.