How to Organise a Golf Society Day — Complete Guide

A golf society day is one of the best days in golf. Friends, colleagues or old school mates head to a course, play a competition and share a meal. Even so, a good day takes planning. This guide covers everything, from choosing a course to handing out the prizes.

What is a golf society?

A golf society is a group of golfers who play together at different courses. Unlike a club, it does not own a course. Some meet once a year, while others play every month. Most mix keen players with occasional ones, so the day needs to suit everyone.

Choosing the right course

Pick a club that welcomes societies. Not every club takes groups, while some only do so on set days. Our guide to golf courses open to visitors explains how visitor access works.

Match the course to your group. If many players have high handicaps, a long, tight links will be a slog. Instead, choose a fair parkland course with wide fairways. On the other hand, a strong group may love a famous course. Our guide to championship golf courses covers the big names that take groups.

Check the facilities. A good venue has a halfway house, parking and changing rooms. It also needs space to eat together afterwards, since the meal is half the fun.

Think about the budget. Group green fees vary widely. Many clubs offer society packages with food included, so ask what is in the price.

Look near home. The directory pages for golf courses near London, golf courses near Birmingham and golf courses near Leeds list clubs with contact details. You can also browse every course we list in England.

Formats that work well

Stableford is the most popular society format. Players score points on each hole against their target score. Since one bad hole only costs points on that hole, it keeps everyone in the game.

Texas Scramble suits mixed-ability groups. Each player tees off, the team picks the best shot, and everyone plays from there. As a result, it is fast, social and fun.

Four-ball better ball works when players know the rules well. Pairs play together, and the better score on each hole counts.

Skins can sit on top of any format. Each hole has a small prize, and the outright winner of a hole takes it.

Our golf rules guide for beginners explains Stableford and the basic rules for newer players.

Booking tee times for a group

Call or email the pro shop. Most clubs handle society bookings through the professional or the office. Start by email, then follow up by phone.

Expect a block of tee times. Large groups usually get a run of consecutive tee times rather than one start. Alternatively, some clubs offer a shotgun start, where groups start on different holes at once.

Check the minimum group size. Many clubs set a minimum for society rates. So be realistic about numbers early.

Get everything in writing. Confirm the date, tee times, price per head, catering and deposit. In addition, read the cancellation policy carefully.

Catering

Breakfast on arrival sets a friendly tone, since nobody plays well hungry. Many clubs offer bacon rolls with tea or coffee before play.

The halfway house is a welcome break at the turn. A quick snack keeps energy up, while a planned stop keeps groups in order.

The meal after the round is the heart of the day. Most society venues offer a set menu, so agree the choices in advance.

Prizes and presentation

The main prize usually goes to the best net score. In addition, most societies give prizes for second and third.

Nearest the pin on a par 3 is a classic side contest. Similarly, longest drive on a chosen hole adds fun, although it should count only if the ball finishes on the fairway.

The wooden spoon for last place is often the most memorable award. Keep it good-humoured.

The presentation should feel like an occasion. Read results from the bottom up, then thank the host club.

Handicaps: keeping it fair

Handicaps let golfers of different standards compete fairly. Each player’s Course Handicap sets their strokes for the day. The World Handicap System also suggests allowances for each format. For example, it recommends 95% for individual Stableford and 85% for four-ball better ball.

Players without a handicap can still join in. However, agree a fair starting figure in advance. Our guide on how to get a golf handicap explains the official route.

Pace of play

Slow play is the organiser’s biggest challenge. A large group can easily take far too long if no one pays attention.

Brief everyone before they start. Explain the format, the rules and the pace you expect.

Play ready golf. Whoever is ready plays first, rather than waiting for the player furthest away.

Set a maximum score. In Stableford, players pick up when they cannot score. In stroke play, agree a maximum per hole.

Keep up with the group ahead. If a gap opens, catch up rather than worrying about the group behind.

Splitting the costs

Collect money early, ideally before the day. A set price per head that covers green fees, food and the prize fund keeps things simple. Our guide to cheap golf courses has ideas for keeping costs down.

Photos and memories

Ask one person to take a few group photos rather than dozens of swing shots. A team photo at the first tee and the prize-giving is often enough. Meanwhile, a short write-up after the day keeps the society spirit going.

Running an annual society

Keep a record. A simple spreadsheet of courses, dates, formats and winners builds a history.

Share the work. One person doing everything every year will burn out. Therefore, share the jobs among a small committee.

Vary the venues. New courses keep interest high. Our Essex golf guide and our page on golf courses near London suggest venues within reach of the capital.

Society trips and weekends away

Many societies graduate to a weekend away. Our UK golf breaks guide covers the best regions and how to book. If some members find a full day tiring, our electric golf trolley buyer’s guide explains how a trolley can help. Finally, our guide to women’s golf has ideas for making your society welcoming to everyone.

On the kit side, our guides to push versus electric trolleys and trolley accessories may help.