Deciding how to price mulligans, raffles, and contests is a critical step in maximizing the fundraising potential of your charity golf tournament.
How you price these items has a direct impact on participation and total dollars raised.
Price too low, and you limit your upside. Price too high, and participation drops.
The goal is to find the balance where golfers are excited to participate and overall revenue is maximized.
Here is how to do it effectively.
How to Price Mulligans, Raffles, and Contests Effectively
At a charity tournament, golfers expect to spend money beyond registration.
They are not evaluating every purchase individually. Instead, they are thinking:
- This is part of the experience
- This supports a good cause
- This is fun and worth it
Your job is to make every purchase feel easy, enjoyable, and worthwhile.
Price Mulligans for Participation, Not Perfection
Mulligans are one of the most widely accepted fundraising tools.
The key is to keep pricing simple and accessible.
Effective approaches include:
- A flat price per mulligan
- A small bundle for individual players
- A larger bundle for teams
Team bundles are especially effective because they:
- Increase total spend
- Encourage group participation
- Simplify the decision-making process
The goal is not to maximize the price per mulligan. It is to maximize how many golfers buy them.
Use Tiered Pricing for Raffles
Raffles perform best when participants feel like they are getting more value as they spend more.
A simple tiered structure works well:
- Entry level option
- Mid-level option with better value
- Top-tier option with the best value
Most participants will choose the middle or top option when the value is clear.
This approach increases the average purchase without adding complexity.
Simplify Contest Pricing
Contests should be easy to join.
Avoid charging separately for too many individual contests. Instead, consider:
- A single price to enter all contests
- Including contests in a bundle with other items
The fewer decisions golfers have to make, the more likely they are to participate.
Bundle for Maximum Revenue
Bundling is one of the most effective pricing strategies.
Offer a package that includes:
- Mulligans
- Raffle tickets
- Contest entries
Benefits of bundling:
- Increases participation
- Raises average spend per golfer
- Reduces decision fatigue
- Simplifies the process
A well-priced bundle often becomes the most popular option.
Offer Pre-Purchase Options
Selling early increases both participation and revenue.
Allow golfers to purchase add-ons during registration:
- Mulligans
- Raffle tickets
- Contest packages
This:
- Captures revenue before event day
- Reduces congestion at check-in
- Encourages higher participation
Many organizers use registration systems that allow easy add-ons during checkout.
Create Clear Value
Golfers are more likely to spend when they understand what they are getting.
Make sure:
- Pricing is clearly displayed
- Options are easy to compare
- Value is obvious
When pricing is presented clearly and confidently, participation increases.
Avoid Pricing Too Low
It is common to underprice out of concern that golfers will not participate.
In reality:
- Participants expect to spend money
- Higher pricing can increase perceived value
- Well-presented options justify higher price points
Pricing too low can limit both revenue and perceived quality.
Avoid Overcomplicating Options
Too many choices can reduce participation.
Avoid:
- Multiple confusing price points
- Complicated combinations
- Too many separate decisions
Keep your pricing structure simple and easy to understand.
Make Payment Easy
Convenience drives participation.
Offer:
- Simple payment options
- Quick transactions
- Clear purchasing locations
The easier it is to pay, the more people will participate.
Promote Pricing Throughout the Event
Do not assume golfers will remember or seek out opportunities.
Reinforce pricing and availability:
- At registration
- Through signage
- During announcements
Visibility increases participation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Pricing mistakes can significantly impact results.
Avoid:
- Setting prices without a strategy
- Making options unclear
- Offering too many choices
- Failing to promote opportunities
- Making purchasing difficult
Simple improvements in these areas can lead to immediate gains.
Back 9 Pro Tip
The most successful tournaments treat pricing as a system, not a guess.
They:
- Keep pricing simple and easy to understand
- Use bundles to increase participation and revenue
- Offer pre-purchase options during registration
- Present opportunities clearly through signage and communication
- Make payment fast and convenient
When pricing is structured and intentional, golfers participate more and total fundraising increases.
Final Thoughts
Pricing is one of the most powerful tools you have to increase revenue at your golf tournament.
When you focus on participation, simplicity, and value, you create an environment where golfers are happy to engage and spend.
And when more people participate, your results improve across the board.
