Charity tournaments: love ’em or hate ’em? We can all get behind a cause and plenty of funds have been raised thanks to golf charity events, but do you enjoy playing in these tournaments? I do. Yes, I enjoy competitive, “serious” golf as well, but I also love getting out there in a scramble format and having some fun for a good cause. I know some people just cant stand the silliness. Where do you stand? Here’s a quick poll, but of course feel free to voice your opinion in the comments as well.
Today and tomorrow I have back-to-back charity tournaments. I haven’t been playing nearly as much as I’d like lately, so a scramble is actually a nice format for me right now. And you can bet I’ll be purchasing plenty of those mulligans that add to the charity pot.
August 7, 2008 at 2:54 pm
I enjoy the silliness, and I enjoy just having a social round, and I REALLY enjoy having a chance to just let the shaft out and hit balls as hard as I can, or go for whatever off the wall shot I want to try without worrying about messing up my own score. (as long as the team is in good enough shape, of course)
What I DON’T like are the 6 hour rounds that are practically automatic with these charity scrambles.
Good cause ? I’m in…if I have the time.
August 7, 2008 at 5:21 pm
I lover charity events. It gives me a chance to loosen up and play serious golf with no fear of losing. It makes me feel great to actually play for someone or someones other than myself.
http://www.golf.net
August 7, 2008 at 5:49 pm
I can take ’em or leave ’em, but mostly leave ’em. They’re definitely a fun time. No doubt about it.
On the other hand, they’re not usually competitive because of the cheating that goes on. There’s almost no point in trying to play well because there’s always some group of hackers that magically comes in at 15 under. Of course, that’s not important if the objective is fun, so forget about keeping score and just have fun.
Then, there’s the ridiculously long rounds. Oh, and alcohol-fueled shenanigans. Yes, I sound stuffy but for years, I was one of the guys that had to drag destroyed carts in with a tractor and pick up beer bottles and trash from all over the place.
As a member at a course now, I’m still not a big fan because they close the course all day. I pay good money to have the course available to me on weekends when I want to play.
I’m all about helping out good causes, but I’d rather just donate the money directly. These things are cash cows for the courses so it’s not like the charity is getting the whole $125 or whatever the fee is (unless the course decides to get in on the giving and donate the proceeds).
The bottom line is, while I acknowledge the fun and the positive aspects of helping good causes, I don’t really participate in them very often.
August 8, 2008 at 1:54 am
If I like the charity I play in them. No sense worrying about winning, it’s impossible based on the formats and handicaps. If we suspect a team of blatant sandbagging we embarrass them into donating their booty to the cause. Works every time!
August 8, 2008 at 7:05 pm
As you probably guessed, I’m solidly in the sign me up category. They’re fun.
In addition, I would venture to say that charity tournaments are not only good for the charities but also good for the game of golf.
I know quite a number of folk who have purchased clubs and taken lessons BECAUSE of a charity tournament that their work place was involved with. And the majority of them have been inspired by the fun time to take more lessons and begin playing more seriously.
Charity tournaments are one of the few venues where a beginner can go out and play on a course in a relaxed way. And as for 6 hour rounds many of us sit through all day meetings and seminars that are not only useless but boring too.
That said if one’s too competitive to enjoy a charity event they can simply opt out.
August 9, 2008 at 8:35 pm
Great event to unwind and play without any worries of losing.
http://www.golf.net
August 10, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Keep up the good blogging and the golfing – Willy plays a little too – addictiong
10-4 – Hillbilly Willy bringing you -Fun – Food and Politics
August 12, 2008 at 12:52 am
You left out an option: I’ll only play in the tournament if I agree with the cause.
August 13, 2008 at 2:47 am
I’m right there with you. Not only do you get the satisfaction of helping somebody out, but a good round of scamble is often enough of a change to re-energize your game
August 13, 2008 at 3:09 am
The only problem with scrambles is they make my arms longer for a while and nothing fits.
August 15, 2008 at 1:38 pm
I’m in for the fun. I think it is nice to play without worrying about posting a score. As long as everyone else PICKS UP when the hole is already won. I agree the rounds are long, but I always make extra time for these events. I don’t enter them all, but I have a few I always enjoy playing in.
August 17, 2008 at 12:31 am
I love to play with a group of people I have never met. Golf is a perfect social situation, and it reveals much more than personalities.
Hope you had a great time … (I know you did)
Speedy
August 19, 2008 at 5:23 pm
Getting your head on straight is the key to enjoying a scramble – I’ve resolved myself to accept the following facts:
(1) People will always, absolutely, positively cheat like there is no tomorrow
(2) Everyone is trying to hit “hero” shots – so decide whether you want to join the crowd, or play your “normal” game – and stick to your decision
(3) Have fun and enjoy your company first and foremost – don’t try to be your normal competitive self
(4) When in doubt, see #1
August 20, 2008 at 11:38 pm
There should be a charity golf tournament in support of how lousy my golf game is. You could cure cancer with the amount of support that would bring 😛
August 21, 2008 at 3:48 am
I play in a couple every year. Mainly church events or something supporting junior athletics.
I really enjoy them as long as they don’t trick them out too much. I don’t mind people buying a few mulligans, but that’s where it needs to stop.
Some tournament directors go off the deep-end.
August 27, 2008 at 10:20 pm
Thought you’d find this interesting, interested in seeing comments to my recent article “Speak English! says LPGA”
http://becauseiplayedsports.com/2008/08/27/speak-english-says-lpga/
September 2, 2008 at 2:56 am
It’s not just the Mulligans, it’s the putting string. Have you played in a charity tournament with putting strings? Just wrong. Worse than Mulligans
http://thegolferswife.typepad.com/the_golfers_wife/2008/08/weekend-updat-1.html
September 2, 2008 at 1:32 pm
I know what a putting string is – but I’m not sure what you’re talking about .
September 2, 2008 at 9:05 pm
At a recent charity tournament I played in each player could buy 5 feet of putting string, so there was 20 feet in my group. If someone chipped onto the green maybe 3 feet short of the hole, we marked three feet off on a string, and didn’t count the stroke. So it was just as if they had chipped in. Or if everyone was on the green and one person was 3 feet from the hole, out came the old putting string, and no stroke was counted. Just as if they had landed their approach shot in the hole. 20 feet of no-stroke-counted. And we were only allowed to buy 2 mulligans each, so that putting string made a much bigger difference in the outcome than the mulligans.
And I know it seems like almost the same thing, but for some reason not counting those putts bothered me much more than taking a mulligan.
September 2, 2008 at 9:57 pm
At such tournaments one needs to look at it as a different game and enjoy it as such. Less proficient players can be more easily included and much fun can be had by all. But it’s not the competitive golf that you play in your normal rounds. That’s just not the point.
September 2, 2008 at 10:35 pm
oh THAT string game. lol. I thought you were talking about using the string alignment tool to help make putts.
like GG said – most of these scrambles are supposed to be fun and charity. the string just gives the really crappy teams a chance to put up a lower score – it’s all fun.
September 3, 2008 at 3:47 am
Oh I know it’s all for fun. And I certainly didn’t pass up the chance to buy the putting string. Or to use it.
September 5, 2008 at 2:36 am
I’m just starting to play golf.
How much can you win playing it?
I like the sport and all, but I gotta think about the future also.
http://www.seasonalgiftdeals.com
October 3, 2008 at 11:04 pm
Love charity outings. We provide Hole in One insurance for several different non for profits each year. For me it is a way to get out with friends and family and have fun and not worry about my game.
January 21, 2009 at 11:27 pm
It is fun to support a worthwhile charity. I do get frustrated with the 6 hour +/- rounds. Being a woman who hits a straight, albeit not very long, golf ball, I come in real handy in scrambles. The guys all try to hit the bejeabers out of the ball and there mine is in the middle of the fairway, ready to hit!
February 19, 2009 at 4:51 pm
I love them and try to play in as many as possible. The only ones I don’t like are the tricked up ones where you basically can buy the tournament through mulligans and stuff.
July 29, 2009 at 3:53 pm
Scrambles are bad for my game – too many of these events, and I find I am trying to hit the wrong shots. I also have a small tolerance for hackers, loudmouths, cell phone and Blackberry junkies, and people who should not otherwise be anywhere near a golf course. I love to immerse myself completely in my game and think about every aspect of it as I go – not possible in a charity event.