If you've played in a charity scramble lately, you may have walked past a practice green covered in bottles of wine, six-packs, cans of soda and maybe even a can of soup, with a crowd gathered around it cheering every putt. That's Putt for Prizes (you'll also hear it called Bottle Putt or Putt for Booze), and it's one of the simplest, most fun ways to raise extra money at a golf outing.
How it works
Volunteers scatter a mix of drinks across a putting green: everything from a nice bottle of wine or whiskey to a can of diet coke or a jug of fruit punch. Players pay $10 for a putt from a marked line. If the ball hits a bottle or can, that prize is theirs to take home. Miss everything, and the $10 goes to the cause.
That's the whole game. No brackets, no scorecards, no handicaps. A 30-handicapper has just as much fun as a scratch player, and honestly, sometimes better luck.
Why tournament organizers love it
- It runs itself. One or two volunteers can manage the green, take payments and reset the prizes.
- Everyone can play. Golfers, spouses, sponsors and volunteers all line up. You don't need to be good at golf to win.
- It raises real money. Picture 100 golfers taking two putts each. That's $2,000 before you count the folks who come back for "just one more."
- The prizes are cheap or free. Most drinks are donated by sponsors, local liquor stores or committee members, so nearly every dollar goes straight to the charity.
- It's a show. A big putt that clips a bottle of top-shelf bourbon gets the loudest cheer of the day. It keeps energy up at registration and the post-round party.
How to set it up
Pick the right spot. The practice green near registration or the clubhouse is ideal: high foot traffic before and after the round. Ask the course first and protect the green; set drinks down gently and keep heavy coolers off the putting surface.
Stock a mix of prizes. Variety is what makes it fun. Put the high-value bottles (a good wine, a bottle of whiskey) farther away and the cans of soda, seltzer and fruit punch closer in. Everyone walks away feeling like they had a shot at something.
Mark a clear starting line. A rope or a strip of tape 15 to 25 feet from the nearest prizes works well. Too close and the prizes disappear in the first hour; too far and nobody wins.
Set simple house rules and post them. For example:
- $10 per putt (or 3 putts for $25 to encourage bigger spends)
- Putt from behind the line
- The ball must touch the prize to win it
- One prize per winning putt
- If the ball hits more than one prize, the player picks one
Restock as you go. Keep a cooler of backup prizes nearby so the green stays full all day.
A few smart reminders
- Check IDs. Anyone winning alcohol needs to be 21 or older. Have a volunteer ready to check.
- Check the rules first. Some courses, venues and states have rules about alcohol prizes and paid games at fundraising events. A quick call to the course and a look at your local regulations before the event avoids headaches.
- Offer non-alcoholic prizes too. Soda, sparkling water, sports drinks and fruit punch keep the game open to everyone, including younger family members cheering from the sidelines.
Add it to your next outing
Putt for Prizes is low effort, high energy and a great way to stretch your fundraising total. If you're planning a charity tournament and want ideas for raffles, hole-in-one contests or side games like this one, stop by Chris Cote's Golf Shop or give us a call. We're always happy to help make your event a success.