Tournament Management Golf Outings

What a hole sponsorship includes: every place the sponsor's logo appears

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A golf tournament hole sponsorship includes a sign on the sponsored hole, and it can include every other place the event shows the sponsor’s logo: the registration page, the scorecard, the leaderboard, and the emails before and after the round. Many packages stop at the sign, even though it’s the smallest part of what a sponsor could get.

Picture the turn at a shotgun start. A foursome comes off the ninth green, grabs a drink, and stands under the clubhouse TV, reading the leaderboard. Walking to the 10th tee, they check it again on their phones. Back on the ninth tee, a sponsor’s sign is still standing in the grass. Nobody has looked at it since they teed off.

The sponsor on the sign got one look from each group. The sponsor on the leaderboard got every player, every time they checked.

What does a hole sponsorship include?

A standard hole sponsorship includes the sponsor’s logo on a sign at the tee or green of one hole, and often a listing in the event program or on the event website. Packages build up from there in three levels:

  • Sign. The logo on one hole, and nothing more.
  • Sign and mentions. The sign, plus the sponsor’s name on event pages and in announcements.
  • Sign and presence. All of that, plus a tent or table on the hole.

Even the top level stays close to the hole. Placements away from it, like the scorecard, are often sold as separate sponsorships or not sold at all. Every place a logo can appear is something an event can sell, and a package that stops at the sign leaves the rest unsold.

Where does a hole sponsor's logo appear on the course?

On the course, a sponsor’s logo can go anywhere players stop or look, not only on the sponsored hole.

  • Tee or green sign. This is the base of every package, and each group sees it for a few seconds.
  • Cart signs. A placard in the cart rides with the players for all 18 holes.
  • Scorecards. When scoring is on paper, players pick up the card on every hole.
  • Contest-hole signage. Closest-to-the-pin and hole-in-one holes stop the group and hold its attention.
  • The beverage cart. It stops at every group, and players stay with it until it pulls away.
  • Range and putting green. Players warm up beside the sponsor’s sign before they reach the first hole.
  • The registration sponsor board. Every player walks past it to check in.

Contest holes, the turn, and the first tee are worth more than a standard hole. In published 2026 sponsorship prices, contest and premium placements ran one and a half to nearly four times the standard price. Here’s how to price hole sponsorships for each of them.

Where does a sponsor's logo appear before the event?

Before the event, a sponsor’s logo can reach every registered player several times, starting with the event page and continuing through every email that follows.

  • Event website and registration page. Every player sees it at signup.
  • Confirmation and reminder emails. Each one is another chance for the logo to be seen.
  • Promotions and social posts. These reach players who haven’t registered yet.
  • Pairings sheet. Players read it closely, looking for their own names.

None of these require a sign, a stake or a volunteer.

Where does a sponsor's logo appear during the round?

During the round, screens and announcements can put a sponsor in front of every player, not only the groups passing one hole.

  • Live leaderboard. Players can check standings after every hole.
  • Mobile scoring screens. Each score entered can bring the sponsor’s logo up on screen.
  • Cart GPS screens. On courses with GPS carts, a sponsor’s logo can appear on screen as players approach the sponsored hole.
  • Clubhouse TV displays. Players can see them at the turn, and so can guests who aren’t playing.
  • Announcements. A mid-round message to the field puts the sponsor’s name in front of every player at the same time.

Leaderboards and scoring screens aren’t extras to give away. They’re inventory, and a pro who treats them that way can charge for them.

“I sell sponsorships for the live leaderboards too… I can upcharge more that way too.”

— Ben Mackey, PGA, General Manager at Lake of Isles Golf Club and Resort in North Stonington, Connecticut, formerly Regional Manager for Troon and GOLFZON Social

Where does a sponsor's logo appear after the event?

After the event, the logo can stay in front of players on the results page, in the thank-you email, and in event photos. Those placements are still fresh when a sponsor decides whether to come back.

  • Results page and final leaderboard. Players can go back to them after the round.
  • Thank-you email to the field. Each sponsor’s logo can appear in it.
  • Event photos. Sponsor signs that appear in the shots can keep circulating long after the event.
  • A sponsor recap. It shows the sponsor every place their logo appeared.

Some events build the renewal into the package itself, giving sponsors first right of renewal for next year if they confirm within a set window after the event.

Every place a hole sponsor’s logo can appear at a golf tournament

Hole sponsor benefits can reach far past a sign in the ground. The logo can appear in at least 18 places before, during, and after the round.

Placement

When it’s seen

Who sees it

Event website and registration page

Before the event

Every registrant

Confirmation and reminder emails

Before the event

Every registrant

Promotions and social posts

Before the event

Prospective players

Pairings sheet

Morning of the event

The full field

Registration sponsor board

Check-in

The full field

Range and putting green

Before a shotgun start

The full field

Tee or green sign

During the round

Each group, for seconds

Contest-hole signage

During the round

Each group, for minutes

Cart signs

During the round

Each cart, all 18 holes

Cart GPS screens

Approaching the sponsored hole

Each group

Scorecards

During the round

Every player, all round

Beverage cart

During the round

Each group it stops for

Live leaderboard and scoring screens

During the round

Every player, all round

Announcements

During the round

The full field at once

Clubhouse TV displays

At the turn and after

Players and guests

Results page and thank-you email

After the event

The full field

Event photos

After the event

Players and anyone they share with

Sponsor recap

After the event

The sponsor

Sell every place players look

A sponsor pays for how often players see the logo, not for the size of the sign. Start with the full list of places your event can show it, and then decide what to sell.

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