Plenty of dads will unwrap new golf clubs, golf bags, and golf shirts this Father's Day, but there's one idea that's often overlooked when it comes to golf gifts for dad: an actual family golf outing. But whether you're looking for something to do on the big day itself, or you just want some creative ideas for Father's Day gifts, planning a golf outing for the whole family is something that should be on your radar.

Not only is it a gesture of support for one of Dad's favorite hobbies, it's proof that he can invite his family into his golf sanctuary and still have a blast. Don't think that's possible? Here's how.

1. Pick a Course that Has Something for Everyone

Picking a course is the most important decision in planning your golf outing—especially if young kids are involved. Fortunately, most golf courses feature more than just the course itself, so it shouldn't be too hard for little ones to have fun while Dad plays his round. The ideal course for a family outing should have:

• Mini Golf With its colorful balls, curvy putting greens, and spinning obstacles, mini golf provides the perfect distraction for kids during the early part of the day. As Dad swings his way to a great score on the full course, the rest of the family can putt around the mini course and pet any friendly golf carts that wander their way.
• Practice Areas: A driving range is a great activity for the family that just wants to smack some balls without keeping score. Just about every course has one, as well as other practice areas you can goof around on, such as replica putting greens. You can even make it a game—more on that below.

2. Turn it into a Family Competition

Families with kids who are a little older—or fully grown—can join Dad on the course and turn the day into one big competition for bragging rights or even prizes. Here are a few ideas for games you can play as a family:

• Most Memorable Shot: Keep track of the day's coolest shots and give a prize to that person when the round is over. The best part about this game is naming the shots, such as "The one that hit the tree" or "The one that unexpectedly morphed into a dove and flew away."

• Alternating Shots: Team up! For this game, teams of two will rotate taking shots; that is, if Player A tees off, Player B must take the next shot and so on.

• Best Ball: This is another popular team game. During it, everyone plays their own balls as they normally would, but at the end of every hole, only the best team member's score counts for the team. Tip: put a rule in place stating every player's score must be used a certain number of times to keep things fair.

3. Cap Off the Day the Right Way

The final putt has been sunk and scores have been etched into the family crest, which means it's time to kick back and enjoy the rest of the day. Depending on your family, that might mean that another activity is in store, such as bowling or paintball. Chances are, though, everyone will be ready to chill, so here's what you should do next:

• Have a picnic: Most courses have outdoor seating, and if yours doesn't, check if it's okay to set up camp somewhere on the property. From there, you can sprawl, snack, and talk over who won Most Memorable Shot.

• Sip cocktails in the clubhouse: It's tradition. Even if your family has young kids, leave some extra time to enjoy a much-deserved drink in the clubhouse, where you can also order food and cool off for a bit.
• Relax away from the course: Go get some ice cream, catch a movie, stop by a local brewery, or head home and do what Dad has been thinking about since breakfast—take a nap.