Driving Competition

[DrivingComp1]

Hi guys,

I am currently tryin to organise a competition in my local golf club (liverpool based). Thinking of doing a driving range based one.
Its for charity btw so how much do you think I should charge for entry?
any tips for organising?

Many thanks,

A golf and organising Novice

 

[VVega]

Depends on the format? How many balls/how many sets? Probably priced equal to the 50 balls practice basket?

I was actually thinking other day, wouldn’t it be nice if clubs ran a parallel closest to the pin/longest drive in weekly comps. Societies usually have them, why not in regular comps? I’d be more interested in those than the usual 2’s

 

[DrivingComp1]

I was thinking, £5 for 10 balls (baring in mind its going to charity) and the cumulative score will count. unlimited entries.
I'll have a leaderboard, like the classic arcade system.

If you were to take part in something like this, would you be incentivized by a prize or just the bragging rights?

 

[Neilds]

I'm presuming you would be looking at a long drive competition, which I suspect would alienate the majority of the club who wouldn't bother as they wouldn't be competitive. If you are going for an accuracy competition, aiming at a number of different targets, at differing distances (maybe 50 - 200 yards), how would you measure the proximity to the target? Easy if you have trackman in the bay but not so on a 'normal' range. A bit more information on the type of competition might be helpful before we can give you some ideas.

 

[DrivingComp1]

I'm presuming you would be looking at a long drive competition, which I suspect would alienate the majority of the club who wouldn't bother as they wouldn't be competitive. If you are going for an accuracy competition, aiming at a number of different targets, at differing distances (maybe 50 - 200 yards), how would you measure the proximity to the target? Easy if you have trackman in the bay but not so on a 'normal' range. A bit more information on the type of competition might be helpful before we can give you some ideas.

Thanks for the reply mate.
If its ok with you I'll do some more planning, all your concerns are things I have overlooked, so I appreciate it.

 

[wjemather]

I was actually thinking other day, wouldn’t it be nice if clubs ran a parallel closest to the pin/longest drive in weekly comps. Societies usually have them, why not in regular comps? I’d be more interested in those than the usual 2’s

Because regular club comps are not a low handicappers benefit, where 80% of the field have a vanishingly small chance of winning (and absolutely no chance in longest drive).

 

[VVega]

Because regular club comps are not a low handicappers benefit, where 80% of the field have a vanishingly small chance of winning (and absolutely no chance in longest drive).

How are closest to the pin odds different from the 2s?

Longest drive - still need to hit the fairway and you only get one go. A local DeChambeau might have a chance but not guaranteed by any means.

Ultimately, it’s an optional side pot for a bit of fun, if 10 people enter it’s already sth so why not?

 

[wjemather]

How are closest to the pin odds different from the 2s?

Longest drive - still need to hit the fairway and you only get one go. A local DeChambeau might have a chance but not guaranteed by any means.

Ultimately, it’s an optional side pot for a bit of fun, if 10 people enter it’s already sth so why not?

Only one person can win a nearest the pin (or long drive) contest; everyone has a chance of making a 2 and winning a share of the sweep. In other words, the performance of one person in making a 2 has no effect on the odds of anyone else making a 2; whereas each time someone hits it closer, it significantly reduces the odds of winning nearest the pin for everyone coming after.

In a field of 100, the chances of the 10 longest hitters (all of whom are likely to be low single figure golfers) all missing the fairway is ridiculously small - that's the next 10 longest hitters with almost no chance, and the remaining 80 with none.

Also consider that no-one wants to ruin their score and chances in a comp by lashing at a long drive, or run a special sweep for 5-10% of the field.

TBH, it sounds like all you're really after is a side-bet within your group(s).

 

[Bdill93]

Only one person can win a nearest the pin (or long drive) contest; everyone has a chance of making a 2 and winning a share of the sweep. In other words, the performance of one person in making a 2 has no effect on the odds of anyone else making a 2; whereas each time someone hits it closer, it significantly reduces the odds of winning nearest the pin for everyone coming after.

In a field of 100, the chances of the 10 longest hitters (all of whom are likely to be low single figure golfers) all missing the fairway is ridiculously small - that's the next 10 longest hitters with almost no chance, and the remaining 80 with none.

Also consider that no-one wants to ruin their score and chances in a comp by lashing at a long drive, or run a special sweep for 5-10% of the field.

TBH, it sounds like all you're really after is a side-bet within your group(s).

I dont make a lot of 2's, so I never enter it, the low guys cash in on 2's at my place far more than the higher.

Id fancy my chances at the long drive at my club though!

Closest to the pin could be won by anyone if the right hole was picked at my place too.

Advantage is always to the lower guys really in these type of things is it not?

 

[VVega]

Only one person can win a nearest the pin (or long drive) contest; everyone has a chance of making a 2 and winning a share of the sweep. In other words, the performance of one person in making a 2 has no effect on the odds of anyone else making a 2; whereas each time someone hits it closer, it significantly reduces the odds of winning nearest the pin for everyone coming after.

In a field of 100, the chances of the 10 longest hitters (all of whom are likely to be low single figure golfers) all missing the fairway is ridiculously small - that's the next 10 longest hitters with almost no chance, and the remaining 80 with none.

Also consider that no-one wants to ruin their score and chances in a comp by lashing at a long drive, or run a special sweep for 5-10% of the field.

TBH, it sounds like all you're really after is a side-bet within your group(s).

I appreciate the rationale even if don’t entirely agree with it Agree with the point of the 2s being independent (though the payout is diminished proportionally to the number of twos).

One point I’d say though that a lower handicap is not directly correlated to hitting it long The majority of single digits players I know don’t hit long.

 

[wjemather]

One point I’d say though that a lower handicap is not directly correlated to hitting it long The majority of single digits players I know don’t hit long.

It absolutely is. Just look at any distance insights report (e.g. link). On average, a sub-6 handicap golfer hits the ball about 20 yards further than a 6-12 handicapper, and 40 yards further than a 13-20 handicapper.