A hole-in-one contest is one of the easiest ways to get a crowd cheering at a corporate event. One swing, one par 3, one chance at an ace. Everyone understands it in two seconds, and everyone wants to watch.
You don’t need a golf course to run one. A golf simulator brings the tee box to your ballroom, office, trade show booth or company picnic. Below are hole-in-one contest ideas that work for corporate events, plus simple tips to plan the prizes, the format and the space.
Why a hole-in-one contest works at corporate events
- It’s fast. Each guest takes one or a few swings, so the line keeps moving even with hundreds of guests.
- Anyone can play. First-timers can get lucky, and good golfers want to show off. Nobody needs to know the rules.
- It’s fun to watch. Every shot ends with a groan or a cheer, which draws people over.
- It gives people something to talk about. “Did you try the hole-in-one?” is an easy icebreaker between colleagues and clients.
8 hole-in-one contest ideas
1. The classic one-swing ace challenge
Every guest gets one swing on a par 3. Land it in the cup and win the grand prize. Keep a smaller prize for the closest shot of the day, so there is always a winner, even if nobody makes an ace.
2. Famous hole showdown
Play a famous par 3 on the simulator, like a recreation of a well-known seaside hole. At boat shows we ran the 17th hole at Edgewood Tahoe, on the shore of Lake Tahoe, a fun pick for a crowd that loves the water.
3. Closest to the pin with a live leaderboard
Not every crowd will make an ace, so pair the hole-in-one prize with a closest-to-the-pin contest. A live leaderboard screen shows the top shots all day, and guests come back to beat them.
4. Team ace relay
Split the room into teams by department or table. Each player takes one shot, and the team with the most shots on the green, or the closest combined distance, wins. Great for team building.
5. Charity buy-a-ball
At a fundraiser or charity golf outing, guests donate for extra swings. Every swing raises money, and a hole-in-one makes the night. It works rain or shine because it’s indoors.
6. Executive challenge
Invite the CEO or a VIP guest to set a target score in the morning, then let everyone try to beat it. People love beating the boss, and it gets leaders out from behind the podium.
7. Putting challenge for beginners
Add a short putting contest next to the full swing. It takes seconds, works for total beginners and gives guests a second way to win.
8. Long drive bonus round
Finish the day with a long drive contest. The big hitters get their moment, and the crowd gathers for the final swings before awards.
How to plan the prizes
- Grand prize for an ace: something guests will remember, like a golf weekend, a new driver or a big gift card.
- Daily or hourly prizes: for closest to the pin or longest drive, so people keep playing.
- Small giveaways: branded golf balls or logo tees for everyone who plays.
- Big prizes like a car or cash: many organizers buy hole-in-one prize insurance for these. Ask a prize insurance company about the rules before you promise anything.
What you need to run it
- Space: our golf simulator needs about 14 ft wide, 10 ft deep and a 10 ft ceiling.
- Power: one standard 110V outlet, plus internet for the simulator software.
- Time: about 2 hours to set up. We recommend setting up the day before.
- Staff: a trained attendant runs the contest, coaches players and keeps score.
- Clubs: right- and left-handed clubs, so every guest can play.
Our setup uses a Foresight GC3 launch monitor with GSPro software, which tracks ball speed, launch angle and spin on every shot. That means real ball flight and fair scores. See the full details on our golf simulator rental page.
Make it look like your event
A hole-in-one contest is also a branding moment. Add your logo to the screen with in-game branding, wrap the side walls, show a branded leaderboard and hand out logo golf balls. If you want leads, guests can register before they swing.
Short on space? Try VR golf
If your room is tight, VR golf fits in about 8 × 8 ft. Guests use a headset and a golf club controller for putting challenges and full holes. Many events book both.
Frequently asked questions
Can you really make a hole-in-one on a golf simulator?
Yes. A good simulator tracks the real ball, so an ace on a par 3 is possible, just like on a course. It’s rare, which is why it’s so exciting when it happens.
How many guests can play a hole-in-one contest?
With one swing each, dozens of guests can play every hour. For a big crowd, keep it to one swing per person, or add a second simulator.
What does a golf simulator rental cost for a contest?
It depends on event hours, city, setup and add-ons. Read our golf simulator rental cost guide, or send us your date and city for a quote.
Ready to plan your contest?
Tell us your date, city and guest count, and we’ll help you plan the format, prizes and branding. Add the golf simulator to your event request or explore more corporate event entertainment.
