For a local one-day scramble, lodging may never come up. But for destination tournaments, multi-day events, and any tournament drawing players from out of town, where your guests stay is part of the experience — and handling it well is the difference between a smooth trip and a logistics headache. As the founder of Colorado Under Par, I’ve seen good accommodation planning turn an out-of-town event into a weekend players look forward to all year. Here’s how to get it right.
If you expect out-of-town players, secure a block of rooms well in advance. Early booking guarantees availability during peak golf season — when courses and hotels fill up fast — and almost always locks in better group rates than players would get on their own. It’s a small, proactive step that removes a lot of last-minute stress, and it gives you a single, easy answer when players ask, “Where should we stay?”
Choose a hotel close to the course. The shorter the drive to an early shotgun start, the easier mornings are on everyone — and the more relaxed your players will be when they tee off. Proximity also makes shuttle service (below) cheaper and simpler to run. If the course itself has lodging or a resort partner, that’s often the easiest option of all.
Not every hotel is set up for a golf crowd. The extras that actually matter to players:
These small things are what make a stay feel built for golfers rather than just adequate.
If players are staying together, a shuttle between the hotel and the course adds real convenience and gets everyone to the start on time — especially helpful for guests unfamiliar with the area or planning to enjoy the post-round drinks. Even informal coordinated carpools from the host hotel reduce the morning chaos. (This pairs directly with your day-of transportation plan.)
Work the hotel for a group deal. Beyond a discounted nightly rate, you can often negotiate added perks — breakfast included, Wi-Fi, late check-out, a hospitality room — that make the package more attractive to your players. A genuinely good room rate can even become a selling point that helps fill your field, and for charity events, some hotels will offer favorable terms when they know the cause.
For resort, destination, and multi-day tournaments, lean into it: a host hotel becomes the social hub, the place the group gathers before and after rounds. Bundling a recommended (or included) stay with registration turns a golf tournament into a getaway — and that’s exactly the kind of event players come back for and bring friends to.
Accommodations only matter for some tournaments — but when they matter, they really do. Book early, stay close to the course, choose a golf-friendly hotel, and lock in a group rate, and you’ll give your out-of-town players a seamless experience off the course that’s every bit as good as the golf on it.
When you’re ready to run your next one, you can list your golf tournament free on Colorado Under Par and reach players across the state.
Best regards, Andrew Mueller, Founder, Colorado Under Par
Get your event in front of the right audience and start building momentum in minutes.
Want to amplify your event and reach more participants? Choose one of our promotional upgrade packages below.
