How To Turn Some Tricksters Into Golfers

I am not saying that we shouldn’t give out candy. I am just saying perhaps we should make the kids work for it this year. And maybe while doing so, we can give them an appreciation for golf. That is why I have devised my Trick-or-Treat Golf Challenge Game. Are you ready to hear my plan yet?
First, you are going to need a few supplies:
- Pumpkin
- Knife (for carving not for stabbing children, and you can get away without one if you have really long fingernails or are extra efficient with a spoon)
- A putting matt (or a well maintained lawn)
- Golf Balls (You may only need one, but dusk may very well bring on some lost golf balls)
- Putter (you can add other clubs in the mix too if you feel like making this even more difficult)
- Oh, and candy, or some type of reward in different sizes. You can offer them Scarrots, but they may revolt.
Set up and Execution (Halloween pun?)
- First you are going to have to carve this pumpkin. Not in the typical scary Jack-O-Lantern, this is going to need to be more about function than form. Embellish as much as you would like, but make sure that the mouth is a fairly decent sized hole, and extends all the way down to the bottom. If you want to get even crazier with it, you can have a “chip” in whole on the top of his head, if not (you might want to carve this whole anyway, so you can place a light in there, but be warned Kids and hot candle wax are generally not a good mix).
- Next, set up the putting range. For an extra challenge you can give the kids a few different foul lines to choose from. Each with their own candy sized prizes. Start with the biggest prize, the furthest back, and each closer line is a smaller prize. Tell the kids that they are allowed to choose which line they would like to attempt their putt from. If you want to offer more of a challenge, you can offer them a chipping club, and tell them they have to make it into the top of the “Golf-O-Lantern.”
- Finally, make sure you explain the rules, to each child or accompanying adult as they approach the door. It may also be a good idea to wear protective gear. Angry costumed children yielding a metal stick may become dangerous when faced with the loss of candy. It may also be a good idea to offer a bowl of “consolation” tootsie rolls. I would say candy corn, but some parents may get a little bit iffy over unwrapped edibles being given to their offspring. The consolation bucket may prevent any sad or angry children who fail to make a putt.
If you are feeling generous, you can allow the little Hogans to come back and give it another go after they have visited a few other houses. But be warned, you may have created a putting addict who is running on a sugar buzz, and jonesin’ for that next piece. So be sure you have plenty to go around.
Another great idea would be to have a camera handy for a couple of reasons, memories of the festivities, and also potential evidence.
Have any other Halloween golf ideas? Let me Hear ‘em Rock Heads.
~Scratch
Bonus: People aren’t the only things dawning costumes this year! Some Golfers have fitted their golf carts as well! You can check out the Halloween golfin’ parade here.
P.S. I can’t take all of the credit for this idea. It was inspired by Alan Kirks How To Play Halloween Golf post on e-how. Thanks Alan!