Custom Golf Flags: The Buyer's Guide for Tournaments and Courses

Your charity golf tournament is three weeks away. The golfers have signed up and the course selected. The onsite logistics have been worked out, and the final details just need to be ticked off. You have a caterer and golf carts with beverage-carrying capabilities. However, the 18 custom golf flags that you promised sponsors would be on the pin flags as part of the package have not been ordered. 

The local quote you got was for $125 each flag. The vendor could not even guarantee that these customized golf flags would either not fade before the tournament ends or be turned around quick enough to fix any problems with the print.

This is a recurring problem for all tournament organizers. The addition of personalized golf flags should not be near the bottom of your logistics list, but it often is. Finding a company that can answer an urgent request for custom golf course flags is a last-minute headache that you and your sponsors do not want. 

Spoiler alert:  FLS Banners can produce the customized golf flags you need, when you need them. Printed in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin since 1974. Free digital proof. Conforming to USGA-spec 14×20. With no minimum. And a 3-day turnaround. 

Why Your Flags Do More Than Mark a Hole

The enduring appeal of golf is easy to quantify. A global sport that combines the simplicity of hitting a ball with a club with the challenges of a physical environment. It is a sport where the “hole” is a key contributor to the overall golfing experience,    and it is the focal point of the game.

The importance of the hole and its role in golfer success is easy to quantify. Its diameter must be exactly 4.25 inches and have a minimum depth of at least 4 inches. These dimensions have been unchanged since the first written rules of golf were established by a group of Scottish golfers in 1744.

The physical characteristics of the hole, however, is just one part of a bigger, and more photogenic, picture. 

According to the United States Golf Association (USGA), there are three distinct elements that must adhere to the official equipment standards for the green itself: the hole, the flagstick or pin, and the flag. 

All three are set in stone, but the addition of the golf flag to a (minimum) seven-foot flagstick is how players judge distance, wind speed and where they need to aim. If you are golf fan or player, then you know that the moment when the ball reaches the green from the tee and then, ultimately, drops into the hole is the point of the game. Which means that you need something to aim at. 

Simply put, that is the flagstick. A target that will always be supplemented by the addition of a highly visible and standard size golf flag. That makes the flag the perfect place for branding opportunities and personalization. 

For hosted or charity events, an organizer can use personalized golf flags as its secret (and subliminal) weapon. Simply put, it allows you the opportunity to offer high visibility advertising through sponsorship tiers or premium packages for participating companies. If your sponsorship package also includes golf banners and flags, the visibility goes up to 11. 

We all know that you rarely get a second chance to make a first impression. Golfers play on courses that are both functional and reflective of nature’s beauty. That is one reason why charity golf tournaments are cited as one of the most popular fund-raising events in the United States. 

According to the National Golf Foundation (NGF), around 80% of all golf course in the U.S. host at least one charitable event every year. Annually, the average course plays host to around 22 charity golf events. Fundraising at these charity (and sponsor-centric) events can range from the thousands to even millions of dollars – industry data suggests that the total amount of funds raised annually via charity golf tournaments is close to $4.6 billion.

That is a staggering number. If you are a tournament organizer, then it not only raises the stakes in terms of how much money you want to raise, but what will make your event stand out. Even if we assume that the average for a single tournament – again, according to NGF data – Is $29,500, then the requirement to deliver an engaging experience is a critical part of your planning and execution. 

The answer to these questions can be quite simple; Custom Golf Flags. You want those involved to remember the day, and you want sponsors to get the brand visibility that their investment requires. Custom golf flags deliver all of this, and more.  

Custom Golf Flags: Branded Real Estate 

At the recent U.S. Masters, the Augusta National Golf Club hosted a tournament that was both must-see viewing and visually stunning. Eighteen holes of iconic golf terrain. Each green displayed a branded flag that cements the tournament’s place in golf folklore.

It is common knowledge this high-profile event only happens once a year. The same applies to every tournament on the golfing calendar. The key point to remember is that even a course such as Augusta is used continually throughout the golf season. In other words, the potential for the placing of customized golf flags can be a continuous cycle. 

However, the simple fact that golf tournaments (professional, amateur, charity. sponsored) are happening all the time means that custom golf course flags are prime real estate for all tournament organizers. That alone is a reason for purchasing golf flags or banners that can be both reused for years to come and unlikely to fade. 

Industry data suggests that 45% of the world’s 18-hole golf courses are in the United States, with estimates as to the total number of private and public courses here ranging between 15,500 and 16,750. All these courses will – depending on the weather - host golfers every day.

You do not have to be a mathematician to work out that that is a sizeable number of flags on fluttering in the wind. Most players will expect flags to be numbered from one to 18, but adding customized golf flags is increasingly popular. 

Custom golf flags are more than just markers for golfers to aim for; they are a physical part of the game itself. This is not limited to just being a necessary part of the official equipment standards. In other words, the golf flag and flagstick are not only a focal point for the player, but a physical interaction when they complete or approach the hole. This is the norm, irrespective of whether this is weekend league play, a sponsored event or a charity tournament. 

In other words, customized golf flags can be a marketing tool that you can use to combine consistent branding with the aesthetic quality that appeals to professional and amateur golfers alike. That puts the onus on you to find a vendor who is able to deliver what you need, when you need it, at the price point required, and with a decades-long dedication to quality. This vendor is FLS Banners. 

What Size Golf Flag Do You Actually Need?

Rules surrounding the flag are strict. 

Most regulation flags – the ones that we associate with the thousands of golf courses in the United States – are 20 inches by 14 inches and rectangular. These dimensions are in play on the course itself and the pre-round practice greens.

There are custom golf course flags are slightly smaller, usually 18 inches by 13.5 inches but clubs or courses will ensure that the flag falls under existing USGA regulations. That makes it imperative that the you know what size golf flag is allowed on the course, and what can be classed as “souvenirs.”

A flag must be of a reasonable size and located near the top of the flagstick. It is this simple requirement that allows clubs, courses, and tournament organizers to align brand identity, often with personality and a degree of professional flair. 

These fall into three categories: 

•    Tournaments & courses: the 14×20 standard

•    Backyard putting greens: 6×9 and 13×20 (a scale guide)

•    Golf cart flags: the overlooked add-on

It is generally accepted that golf course management will always sub-let the flag to third parties. The latter increases brand visibility, taking the concept of form plus function to a new level. Making the golf course your own for the day is part of the logistical equation that you have entered, which opens the door for custom golf flags and banners. 

Let’s not forget that golf courses are physical event spaces, hosting sponsored tournaments and corporate branding opportunities on a regular basis. That makes the addition personalized golf flags and other branded collateral to be part of your event’s fund-raising optimization strategy from day one. 

It is widely accepted that companies of all sizes are always looking for unique and personalized opportunities to increase awareness of what they offer. And it is no coincidence that there are numerous tournaments with well-known brands attached – the majors aside, there are competitions that make corporate identity visible via custom golf flag branding and banner placement. When you offer a sponsorship package, it should come with all the bells, whistles, and brand awareness that the sponsor expects.  

So, what does a customized golf flag need to do to deliver the results and overall experience that you need for success. In addition, what are the minimum requirements for a flag that you must know before the first golfer tees off. 

How to Price a Pin-Flag Sponsorship for Charity Tournaments

Golf courses do not have a monopoly on what golf banners and flags are visible to the players or spectators. The pin or flagstick is commonly the most photographed spot on a course, but it does not always mean that the club is using its own flags. This is usually the case when a golf course hosts a charity tournament.

Custom golf flag pricing is thereby dependent on what you need and the budget available. Additionally, a charity golf tournament is usually dependent on sponsorship packages. This can be sold in two ways, both of which should include customized golf flags:

The $400-per-hole model

Promotional signage displayed at the box and golf flag with the name of local business or individual sponsor. This number is not just a random cost, rather it reflects the industry benchmark of what it costs to maintain a golf hole. Charity golf tournament organizers will usually apply $400 as a baseline for the sponsorship opportunity. 

The post-event keepsake play 

Taking a flag home in, say, a shadow box is a popular option at charity golf tournaments. These are not only a memento of the occasion, but a memory for the player. The customized golf flag is presented by you at the end of the event, either in a rectangular box or its natural state (folded, pristine, colorful) for the awardee to cherish and display. 

Two paths, one potential customized golf flag design.

These options are hugely dependent on how many players are involved and how many flags will be given out. If you are still thinking about the local offer of $125 per customized golf flag, then that can quickly eat into available budget. 

We do not charge $125 per flag. In fact, we have an ongoing and longstanding commitment to the printing of custom golf flags that provide value-for-money. That is not just words, that it is what FLS Banners was built on. And with more than five decades of Dye Sublimation printing under our belt, our wholesale pricing options are calculated to provide both piece-of-mind and a quality product. 

That level of experience means that our customized golf flags are not going to fade by Day Four. We provide a digital proof before a single flag is printed, and there are no sudden pricing surprises. We also know that 18 branded flags on 18 tee boxes and 18 greens is the cheapest sponsor retention tool in tournament fundraising.

To find out how we price custom golf flags, click here for our Price Calculator.

“I was looking for a custom golf flag. When local shops quoted $125 per flag, I found FLS online and the price was VERY reasonable.”

— Harry, verified FLS customer

Turnaround, Minimums and Pricing

FLS Banners has decades of quality products and customer satisfaction to draw on. In fact, we deliver customized golf flags that last for years, not just the duration of the charity tournament or event: 

• Full-color printing - 1 color or 100 - same price!
• Flags are one-sided. The reverse side is white.
• Finished with either a tube insert (most common) or grommets (requires additional hardware) to attach the flags to the pin.
• Pricing options for flags with the same logo or flags with Custom Golf Flags.
• Free Art Proof.
• Proudly Made in the USA.
• 3 Day Production time starts the day after approval.

“Quick and easy ordering process. The golf pin flags are for a fundraising event, and they are the perfect quality and price!”

— Gail, Fundraising Organizer

Custom Golf Flags Beyond the Course

There is obviously a defined market for framed custom flags as both charity tournament prizes or course-specific mementos. In addition, club shops and online retailers offer golf fanatics the chance to own replicas of famous golf flags, including the Masters and the British Open. 

This is best encapsulated by the high contrast colors and patterns that seem to have made their presence felt at golf courses of all sizes. Conversely, if the flag is destined for training purposes or practice areas, for example, then it is unlikely that the design requires the same level of contrast as course flags. Golf cart flags – often used  in tournament play to identify players with special statuses or needs – are another resource that club managers can integrate into their equipment list to enhance communication or relevant messages

Without wishing to hammer home the point, the golf flag is arguably the most important part of the golf course. Fact. Incorporating personalized golf flags merely takes the course or golf-centric location to a new level. 

Customized golf flags at driving ranges and any other location where golf is the USP, for example. We also must think about the hundreds, if not thousands, of golf fans who want to see customized golf flags when they look out of their window.

Backyard putting greens

Turning a backyard into a 200-square foot putting green or even a short par three has moved from being a status symbol to an affordable way for the average person to indulge their love of the game. 

The cost of a standard residential green reportedly ranges from $15 to $40 per square foot for professional installation. For context, most putting greens on the PGA tour are between 5,000 to 6,000 square feet. Where these worlds collide, however, is that even the smallest putting surface needs a hole, a flagstick and, unsurprisingly, a customized golf flag. 

“We have used FLS Banners for the past several years for our golf flags. Rhonda has provided great customer service…”

— Lori, verified FLS customer

Why FLS Banners

Choosing the right customised golf flags is a crucial part of a successful event. In fact, you must consider numerous factors before a ball is hit. Selecting a perfect flag does not happen overnight, making the following critical factors:

• Purpose and Usage
• Material and Durability
• Design and Consideration
• Size and Visibility
• Mounting and Compatibility
• Budget
• Quality

Charity tournaments need custom golf flags that look credible, travel easily, and work across many events. Fabric displays printed with dye sublimation deliver vivid color and clean type, while staying true to their purpose for staff and volunteers. Free digital proofs help you protect not only the tournament but also your brand and sponsor logos, and quick production keeps your campaign calendar on track.

Whether you need numbered flags for navigation, putting flags for practice areas, or custom flags for special events, FLS Banners has you covered.

Our Takeaway: Why You Need Custom Golf Flags

If you have been a spectator at a professional golf tournament, there is always a chance that a spectator will shout “in the hole” nanoseconds after the player completes his swing. For most golf fans, this is both boorish and against the established code of conduct that underpins the game itself. 

However, there is no doubt that the person has (inadvertently) distilled the essence and underlying goal of the game itself in the simplest of terms. 

In a previous blog post and buyers guide – Upgrade Your Golf Course with Pre-Printed & Custom Golf Flags – we took a deep dive into the types of custom golf flags available, and why they matter. You can read the blog here, but it is not hyperbole to state that flags are an essential part of the golf experience.

That is why you need to know what are purchasing from FLS Banners. That includes the product functionality and durability, and the aesthetic look of the flags. Factor in the quality and durability of the custom golf flag, then it becomes clear that a dedicated and experienced flag printer will be better than an off-the-shelf option. 

FLS Banners has printed golf flags in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin since 1974. Free digital proof. Conforming to USGA-spec 14×20. With no minimum. And a quick turnaround. 

Every golfer knows that the positioning of the flag matters. The same logic should apply to anyone who is organizing a charity golf tournament.  In a world where branding is a constant presence in the physical world, integrating customized golf flags and banners is an optimization strategy that should not be overlooked. 

To find out how we can make your charity golf tournament a success with customized golf flags, reach out to us today! 

Custom Golf Flags: Frequently Asked Questions