Tips for a 24-Man Ryder Cup Golf Trip

[TGrant]

Whats up GolfWRX,

 

Long time observer, new poster in this thread. Looking for some ideas for an upcoming trip of 24 guys playing a ryder cup in March. From your experiences, what are some tips/tricks/advice that you'd tell a first time commissioner? Also, do you recommend scoresheets to display in the clubhouse for the post round and that sort of thing? First tee gift ideas etc. Literally any ideas you'd give a first timer like myself trying to run a successful trip. Thanks in advance!

 

TG

[LBB]

I haven't run this type of golf event, but just from general planning experience I find that you need to know your audience and you need to be firm with your decisions. 

 

Some groups will want/expect real time scoring updates through a mobile app on their phone and others will be just fine getting updates when they come back to the clubhouse or when they run into other groups on the course.

 

Gifts - I'm always okay with no gifts as I play golf for fun and bragging rights...along with any side wagers that might be made.  But the type of gift I think would be cool is something you can use to memorialize the event.  Maybe team hats and/or polos?  Custom towel or pint glass with each players own name, the date, and the logo/name of your event?  

 

Have your rules that you will use prepared and in writing.  I have to imagine unless all 24 of you play in the same club, at least a few people are going to imply the rules of golf differently than one another.  Nothing spoils what is supposed to be good natured competition more than an argument on rules.  In writing distributed to all players well before the first round is the best way so that nobody can say..."but we always play this way, or I asked the David on the range and he told me this or that"  This also goes for handicapping system you may use.  Let everyone know in writing how you will determine handicaps of all golfers, regardless of if they have a GHIN or not so nobody gets caught off guard and complains that you should have used a different method.

 

Lastly, I've coordinated many trips amongst friends based around events/activities and the part I hated the most about it was "herding cats" and getting commitment from people to make logistics work.  Your average Joe who doesn't plan anything doesn't realize how much research and effort it takes to prepare for a smooth running event.  I would suggest opening up suggestions for dates, courses, format, etc. early on and then set them in stone by a certain date whereby you can ask each member..."this is what the majority compromised/agreed to, are you in or are you out?"  Nothing is more frustrating then setting everything up, only to have half the participants submit their suggestions when it's too late to accommodate everyone's request.

 

Best of luck and most importantly have fun.

[bcjim]

Actual RC format? Are the teams meaningful? Like club v club? I'd hate to be a guy that plays in 2 matches both of which go 15 holes. And I paid the same as everyone else.

 

 

Generally agree with the 1st response though.  Be a dictator of sorts.

[st1800e]

1 hour ago, bcjim said:

I'd hate to be a guy that plays in 2 matches both of which go 15 holes.

Play for 1 point per hole, then it will always go to 18.  

[jda]

Only let good dudes come.  One or two jackasses can ruin it all.  The game is not worth it and all of your planning for the actual golf will suck if the guys are fighting or asses.

 

If they are truly good dudes, then do your best and they should be OK offering much grace since they just had to show up and did not work/plan anything.

 

Don't try and make them all happy.  The ones who will whine are going to whine even if you did 10x as much.

 

If you do it again, ask the one who never said anything about how to improve.  Don't ask the whiners or ones quick to offer criticism or advice.

 

Have fun.

[Bob Cat]

Some great advice here so I can only add:

 

Delegate (do NOT try to do all of the organizing and "herding" yourself) -

Have an accountant on the roster? He's your scorer in the clubhouse.

Delegate another to get teams to their tee time. Openly admonish those who need it. The course will appreciate it and welcome you back.

 

Gifts/Prizes -

If you MUST provide tee gifts or prizes, stay away from anything that includes proper sizes (shirts). Custom Tervis tumblers have always been a hit. I have a roadie that custom imprints guitar picks for bands. Had him produce one for an outing that became a big hit for use as ball markers.

[LBB]

17 hours ago, bcjim said:

Actual RC format? Are the teams meaningful? Like club v club? I'd hate to be a guy that plays in 2 matches both of which go 15 holes. And I paid the same as everyone else.

 

Have to imagine that all 24 golfers play in each round, and you finish your 18 holes regardless of whether the match is closed out on 10 or 18. The times I do play a friend match play format, it's not like we walk off the course on the 15th hole when one of us closes the other out early.

 

There's already enough drama in actual Ryder Cup play when captains have to make decisions on which 4 golfers sit out the non singles matches, but that's made for TV.  I doubt a group a friends wants to volunteer themselves to that type of "politics" among captains and players, especially when like you said, they are paying to participate.  If this was a club sponsored event, where golfers are invited all expenses paid, then I guess you could do more of a true RC format.

Edited January 3 by LBB

[Warrior42111]

Ran a trip a couple times with a group with a large HC difference just my observations YMMV. Some of these are already said

 

 

Play each hole is worth a point. That way you play all the holes and they're all worth something. 

have fun

Unless everyone is single digit no alternate shot. 

have fun

For cash / side games, everything is squared up at the clubhouse and everyone pays in before you leave the house. I recommend making someone the games person to delegate the work. Also Cash only TRUST ME way easier even if everyone has zelle, venmo etc.

have fun

Clearly state the rules before the trip and at the house before each round i.e LCP in FW, etc. 

have fun

We didn't do scoresheets, after each round, the 2 captains in myself would verify the scorecards, mark the points and tell everyone, and an email sent out for record.

have fun

Be firm, but understanding, in decisions. 

have fun