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The poker run is one of the better on-course revenue ideas because it doesn't require anyone to be a good golfer. Every player on every team has an equal stake in the outcome, which means it keeps people engaged across the full 18 holes regardless of how the round is actually going.
There are a couple different variations to how this game can be played. For example, you can designate five holes across the course and at each stop, teams pay a set amount to draw a card from a shuffled deck. After 18 holes, the team with the best five-card poker hand wins a prize.
But my favorite version requires some level of skill (or cash). If someone opts into the poker game, let them draw their 5 cards right at the beginning. Then on the par threes, allow golfers to redraw one card if they A. Land their golf ball in a designated area on the green, or B. Fork over $10-$20.
This adds a little fun and excitement to the par threes, even if someone is hopelessly out of the lead.
Most charity outings run a scramble, which means by hole 12, some teams already know roughly how they finished (only if you're using live scoring). The poker run solves the engagement problem because it gives teams something else to try to win.
Charge $20-$40 for the first draw and then $10-$20 to redraw a card. It's a small amount for a group, but can add up to big money for your outing. Some may flop a killer hand, but most will want the opportunity to improve theirs. And, missing the target area on the par three can be a big motivator to spend.
If you have some high value, unique prize, you can make that the winning price for the best hand. But, more often than not, offering half the money raised is a nice prize option. AND, most winners will be inclined to donate the money back or convert it into raffle tickets.
Something else to consider here that ads to the complexity, but also the fun and funds raised. After all the money is collected and cards are dealt, allow groups to raise those who want to stay in to win the big pot. Keep the raises to a max of $20, which allows more people to stay in longer. But, only those who call the final raise get the chance to win the whole pot.
This can get crazy in the most fun way, especially if groups have a little liquid courage flowing through them. Very quickly you can add several hundred dollars to the pot as a crowd forms around the final table.
One volunteer per designated hole is sufficient. Their job is to hold the deck, collect the fee, note which card was drawn, and move on. If you want an extra layer of organization, have each team carry a small card sleeve so they don't lose their draws across 18 holes.
The game runs in parallel with the round and doesn't require any coordination between holes, each stop is independent. That makes it genuinely low-maintenance once you've set it up.
The poker run is one of the few on-course games that's genuinely passive once it's running. You invest maybe two hours in setup, staff five volunteers, and the game generates revenue for six hours while you handle everything else. That ratio is worth something.