The pride wells up inside you ? until you remember he?s asked for a ?clean? party. You reluctantly scratch out ?tequila?.

Bachelor parties just aren?t what they used to be. The ?last bastion of freedom? is now less about a debauched night of boobs and booze than the groom-to-be enjoying a good time with friends ? and hopefully doing something he enjoys.

So with the obvious (shall we say cliched?) options scrapped, what?s left?

The easiest place to start is to consider what he?d like to do. Even ask him for suggestions if you?re clueless, but don?t make any promises ? there has to be some element of surprise, after all.

For the Sports Star

A round of golf is always a hit, whether you?re playing competitively (set up prizes for the best score, the longest drive, the ugliest pants) or for fun. Strip and drink versions can be even more of a laugh. Still too taxing? Head for some mini-golf instead, the longest drive competition here can be a real blast.

Too staid? The likes of action cricket, beach volleyball or touch rugby should get the blood flowing.

For the (armchair) Sports Fan

Does he prefer exercising with his elbow? Go to a sports event, if you time it right you can catch a tan and support your team at the same time, while always keeping your voice well lubricated. Don?t cop out by taking him to a minor league match ? try to get tickets to the Super 12, One Day International or a PSL match.

For the Michael Schumacher worshipper

Boy racers love careening around on go-karts ? most major centres will have indoor tracks ? or try some off-road quad-biking if your groom is more of a Colin McRae wannabe.

If you?re close to a major racing circuit, organise the real deal. Tracks like Kyalami offer corporate karting or the chance to speed around in a racing car.

Alternatively, hire Harleys and cruise the roads, ?Easy Rider? style.

For the Ranulph Fiennes follower

Camping, hiking, mountain biking, river rafting are all obvious options for outdoor adventurers. Or go away for a weekend to cram in as much out-in-the-bundu stuff as possible.

And if you really want to splash out, a trip to Kilimanjaro or a Zambezi rafting trip will be something he?ll never forget. Just make sure he gets back in one piece.

For the Debonair Lothario

Does the groom order his martinis with a Sean Connery accent? Or ponce about in a tuxedo? Style kings are easy to dazzle with a bit of casino glitz and a black jack table. Throw in a dinner show and he might even call off the wedding.

Alternatively, head to a gentleman?s club for an evening of poker, cigars and double bourbons on the rocks. Or go for a night at the theatre and a five-star restaurant. But always travel in style ? hire a limo if the Aston Martin is in Q?s workshop.

For the Adrenaline junkie

?Don?t do anything dangerous,? is something you?ll hear a lot, particularly from the bride-to-be. Yawn. Bungee jumping, skydiving, abseiling, rap-jumping, skiing in the Drakensberg and scuba diving might cost an arm and a leg (figuratively, of course) but are perfect for obliterating those pre-wedding nerves. Just be sure to do it with a qualified professional, your groom won't look clever in a cast, and crutches are a real drag on a honeymoon.

For the Lounge lizard

Wine tours, sunset cruises and deep sea fishing expeditions are old favourites for those less willing to exert themselves, although a bachelor party organiser in Johannesburg organises an intriguing alternative ? a scenic flight in anything from a Tiger Moth to a helicopter.

For the Rambo wannabe

Shooting off rounds at targets or clay pigeons gets rid of that excess testosterone, as does the rewarding ?splat? of shooting your closest friend in all the wrong places with a paintball. Spice up the game a bit by giving him some mandatory ?extra? equipment ? luminous clothing, a couple of cowbells or even an oversized arrow strapped to his helmet will ensure he gets all the attention he deserves.

For the Man child

It needn?t be a jelly, cake and jumping castle affair, but if he?s still a Cartoon Network kinda guy, hire a mechanical bull, some oversize sumo suits and giant boxing gloves.

Last minute tips

Of course no guy fits into just one category, and activities like putt-putt probably won?t take up too much time. So treat the event like a cocktail ? mix, match and shake things up a bit.

Be sure to get ideas from the other people who?ll be invited. Find out how much time and money they?re willing to fork out for the bash ? bizarrely enough your plans of a month-long cruise in the Caribbean might not suit everyone.

If there?s going to be drinking, designate a driver or hire a taxi ? some things are not worth taking risks with.

And finally: bungie jumping after 12 beers is a bad idea. So is organising the party for the night before the wedding. Unless you?ve got a really good hangover cure, a week before is best.