5 Golf Tournament Gift Mistakes – Don’t under estimate these 5 Golf Tournament Prize Concepts
What good are golf tournament gifts that become golfer throwaways? Tournament planners should be cost conscience, AND steer clear of placing “unusable” gifts in event goody bags! Your golf tournament gifts should NEVER leave a negative impression on participants – even if they are donated for free! The 2 primary purposes of golf tournament gifts are: to leave positive impressions and help retain players for next year’s event. If your golf tournament gifts are not bringing warm smiles, re-think your gifts strategy. If participants leave your gifts in the golf cart at the end of the round, they have cost you more than you realize. Here are 5 Golf Tournament Gift concepts to help ensure your gifts leave a positive lasting impression:
Choose “Golf” usable Gifts
Tournament participants rarely enjoy logo pens, T-shirts, or coffee mugs. In fact, watch the reaction most players give as they look into their goody bags. Cheap “free-bee” items are a better fit for corporate trade show hand outs than for golf tournament gifts. Fill your goody bag with tournament prizes they can use while golfing and players will fondly remember the fun they had at the event as they use your gift throughout the year. When they remember your event numerous times during the year, the odds of a return to next years event increase.
Employ Subtle Logos and Avoid Large Logos
The leaning these days is to keep logos small and subtle. If you want players to use/wear/keep your golf tournament gift – use subtle logos. In fact, many events are now providing gifts with no logo. Here is your key thought: If the logo is likely more important to you than it is to your participants, steer clear of items with logo overkill. This helps keep your important event gifts from becoming “Goodwill Donations”. Here are a few logo tips:
Embroider a QUALITY cap with the golf course logo on the front and the event name on the back. Remember this: cheap golf caps are a the #1 Golf Tournament Gift Mistake!
Offer a QUALITY Valuables Pouch with the event name placed subtly. Every Golfer needs a good pouch to store valuables while playing. Don’t go over board with the logo.
Place a microfiber golf towel with a small logo placement or with no logo. Players will put it on their bag immediately, use it during the event and the rest of the season.
Hand out a NICE Divot Repair Tool or Hat Clip with a Customized Ball Marker. Players can always use a new tool and will be proud to mark their ball on the greens with your event logo.
Avoid Golf Balls like poison ivy! Many players have a favorite ball and will not use another ball even for free! And balls end up in the pond or in out of bounds before 18 holes is complete. Golf Balls are usually a low return on investment gift.
Select Several Tournament Prizes over One Big Outing Gift
The problem with one large golf tournament gift is the potential of “one big miss” with a majority of participants. The intent is great, but what if they don’t need a travel cover or rangefinder? What if they only play a few rounds a year? Don’t allow your golf tournament prize to become someone else’s Christmas present? When the budget for golf tournament gifts is generous, offer several items to increase the odds of satisfying more players. Here are a few popular tournament gift ideas for generous budgets:
A combination of several Golf Gifts under $10.00 – cooler bags, divot tools, hat clips, golf towels, groove brushes, tees packs, alignment rods, ball markers, sunscreen, lip balm, money clips. Put several of these items in a really nice logo valuable pouch. Now that is a winner!
Golf Gifts Under $20.00 – Large Caddy Towels, Wind-Sheer Umbrellas, Logo Vintage Head Covers/Putter Covers, Quality Drink Tumblers
Golf Prizes over $20.00 – Duffle bags, Shoes bags, Shaving kits, Wallets, Sun glasses, Polo shirts, Outerwear, Golf Shoes
Budget a Mid-Year Thank-you Gift
This year, get out of the box and do something creative. Send a “Save the Date” thank-you gift. Many golfers play in several events and are being recruited to play in more! Set yourself apart with a middle of the winter golf tournament appreciation gift! This gift does not have to be expensive, just memorable!
Think of Golf Tournament Gifts as Investments – Not Expenses
Golf Tournament Prizes are NOT costly expenses, they are investments your tournament brand! Experts say, “It is less costly to keep a customer happy, than it is to find a new one. Look at your golf tournament prizes as your best opportunity to make a positive lasting impression. Choose golf gifts that are creative, practical and actually get used! These are the best golf tournament prizes.
Mark Ziminsky has been a Golf Merchandise Consultant for 25 years. He has worked with Golf Outings and Tournaments from Church Golf Fundraisers to Charitable Golf Outings and Corporate Golf Events. To find the best golf tournament gifts you can reach him by e-mail: [email protected]