Golden Tee is one of the most popular games in the history of arcades. It’s a staple of many sports bars, restaurants, and family entertainment centers. One way for locations to cash in on this fandom is through tournaments. Players love live Golden Tee contests and tournaments. Besides the opportunity to win cash and prizes, players enjoy associating with others with a similar affinity for the game.

The Golden Tee player community sprang up for this reason and continues to be energetic and enthusiastic. The most popular promotions in bars and pubs are Golden Tee Nights (GTN) and Golden Tee Nights (GTN). Golden Tee Nights are informal weekly or monthly events that offer players a competitive environment without the structure of a standard league. 

They can be regular events – for example, every Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. – or scheduled whenever convenient for the location, operator, and players. GTNs are popular with sites since they generate additional food and beverage sales and increase gameplay. They’re popular with operators because they strengthen their relationship with locations and players. 

What is a Golden Tee Night? 

A Golden Tee Night is a live competitive event conducted in 3 to 4 hours on one or more machines. The format is determined by the number of players, the number of machines, and the amount of time allotted to the promotion. 

Why have Golden Tee Nights become so popular? 

A few factors have led to the growth of GTNs. The first is Golden Tee’s social-competitive nature. People love to have fun, show off their skills, and win cash. 

The second reason is the conversion of old upright cabinets to IT’s Showpiece cabinets. With its 42″ to 50″ HDTV, the Showpiece cabinet allows players and the audience to see and experience all the action. 

Which format is the most successful? 

The format you select will depend on the number of players, the number of machines, and the time needed to conduct the event. Most GTNs are 3-4 hours long. 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 or 11:00 p.m. is optimum. 

Rules of Thumb: 

1. It will take two players 30-45 minutes to play 18 holes 

2. It will take three players 45-60 minutes to play 18 holes 

3. It will take four players 60-75 minutes to play 18 holes

Here is an example of a successful format for a location with one machine, eight players, and 3 hours:

• Each player throws $10 into the pot ($80) 

• The location adds $20 

• The operator adds $20 

• Total purse is $120 

• Use a blind draw to create two foursomes 

• Foursome 1 plays 18 holes (1 hour) 

• The top 2 shooters move to the finals 

• Foursome 2 plays 18 holes (1 hour) 

• The top 2 shooters move to the finals 

• The four finalists play 18 holes (1 hour) 

• If a tiebreaker is necessary, use Great Shot Points first and Golden Tee Points second 

• Winner gets $50, 2nd place gets $30, 3rd place gets $25, and 4th place gets $15 

Here’s a format for two machines, 12 players, and 3 hours: 

• Each player throws $10 into the pot ($120) 

• The location adds $25 

• The operator adds $25 

• Total pot is $170

• Blind draw determines 4 threesomes 

• Threesomes 1 and 2 play 18 holes on the two machines (45-60 minutes) 

• The top player from each threesome moves on to the finals 

• Threesomes 3 and 4 play 18 holes on the two machines (45-60 minutes) 

• The top player from each threesome moves on to the finals 

• The four finalists play 18 holes (1 hour) 

• If a tiebreaker is necessary, use Great Shot Points first and Golden Tee Points second 

• Winner gets $75, 2nd place gets $50, 3rd place gets $30, and 4th place gets $15

 If your players prefer head-to-head matches, use a traditional 8-team bracket. 

Here’s a format for eight players, one machine, and 3 ½ hours. 

• Each player throws $10 into the pot ($80) 

• Location adds $20 to pot 

• Operator adds $20 to pot 

• Total pot is $120 

• Blind draw to determine matches 

• Player 1 vs. 2 (30 minutes)

• Player 3 vs. 4 (30 minutes) 

• Player 5 vs. 6 (30 minutes) 

• Player 7 vs. 8 (30 minutes) 

• Winners of 1 / 2 and 3 / 4 play (30 minutes) 

• Winners of 5 / 6 and 7 / 8 play (30 minutes) 

• Winners play (30 minutes) 

• Winner gets $50, 2nd place gets $30, 3rd and 4th place each get $20

The operator and location need to contribute to the prize pot. It’s an effective way to thank the players for their loyalty.

It’s always a good idea to have small prizes like Golden Tee t-shirts to give away as door prizes and rewards for hitting a hole-in-one or double eagle. Login to Operator Services and visit the Golden Tee Pro Shop. There, you will find special operators-only discount pricing on clothing and glassware. You’ll also find special tournament and contest prize packages, and it’s inexpensive and easy to co-brand these items with your company or location logo.

How do I promote a Tournament? 

The best way to promote your GTN program is to use the FACTS program to create an on-screen message before every game played in the event’s location. 

In addition to the FACTS screen, you should add this information to the location’s website and social media channels. Print flyers and hang them up in the location. If you need Golden Tee images, log in to Operator Services and click on Downloads.

An ADWIZ screen can also be created and installed. Remember, you’re the organizer. Get to know your players. Buy them a beer and thank them for their support. It’s this type of interaction that creates loyalty and dedication.

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