
Understanding the Shotgun Start in Golf Tournaments
- Who 'Invented' the Shotgun Start. The term "shotgun start" comes from the first known use of such a starting format. ...
- Golf Tournaments. If a tournament has a shotgun start, here's how it works: Say there are 18 groups of four golfers each entered in the tournament.
- Benefits. The shotgun start is all about time management. ...
- If There Are More Than 18 Groups. ...
Full Answer
Why is it called a shotgun start in golf?
A shotgun start in golf involves all the players in a tournament teeing off at the same time. To do this they have to start at different holes across the course. So at to let these groups know the tournament has started, a shotgun is fired – in effect it is a starting pistol. Or that is the theory, and why it has got its name.
How long does it take to play a shotgun start golf tournament?
That means that it takes roughly 180 minutes for 18 groups of golfers to begin their rounds using such tee times. But with a shotgun start, those 18 groups all tee off at the same time. That means they finish earlier than in a tournament starting everyone from the No. 1 tee, and also that the groups all finish at around the same time, too.
What is a'shotgun start'in golf?
And a "shotgun start" is designed to take advantage of the fact that a golf course can be used more efficiently, and a golf tournament can be completed more quickly, when golfers are competing on more of the golf course simultaneously than waiting to tee off designated holes (typically Nos. 1 and 10, or just No. 1).
What time does the shotgun start start?
"The shotgun start is at 9 a.m., so make sure your group is in place on the appropriate hole and ready to begin play." The term "shotgun start" comes from the first known use of such a starting format.

What is a shotgun start in golf?
What does a 'shotgun start' mean? A 'shotgun start' sees all the golfers participating in the tournament all on the course before starting their round. Besides being something to intrigue golf fans, a 'shotgun start' allows a large field of golfers to get through a round without clogging up the course.
Why do they call it a shotgun start?
The term "shotgun start" comes from the first known use of such a starting format. As reported in the December 2004 issue of Golf Digest, Walla Walla (Wash.) Country Club head pro Jim Russell fired off a shotgun to sound the start of play to golfers waiting on tees around the course at a tournament in May 1956.
How many golfers are needed for a shotgun start?
Commonly Used Event Terms Shotgun Start Every foursome begins play at the same time on a different hole. Two groups can be placed on each hole for the start. A minimum of 60 players are required for a shotgun start and a maximum of 90 players can be accommodated.
What is a modified shotgun start in golf?
Modified Shotgun Start The organizers set up the tee system to not interfere with other paying customers' rounds. For instance, they may start tournament entrants off on the second to the ninth hole so that the first and tenth tees are free for others to start from.
Why do some golfers start on the 10th hole?
This is when a tournament begins with competitors starting their rounds on the tenth hole as well as the first hole. It is used to squeeze competitors onto the course when there is concern about fitting in a large field with a limited amount of daylight.
What does LIV mean golf?
LIV Golf (/lɪv/) is a professional golf tour financed by the Public Investment Fund, the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia. The name LIV is a reference to the Roman numeral for 54, the score if every hole on a par-72 course were birdied and the number of holes to be played at LIV events.
Is scramble the best ball?
A scramble is when a team picks the best shot, and then each person plays from there. Best ball is when each team member plays their own ball for the entire hole, and the best score is used.
What is shotgun scramble?
In a “Scramble” format the players or designated team captain decide after each shot which one the best shot is. Each player on the team plays their next shot from that spot; within one club length no closer to the hole. The group then plays this way until the ball is holed out.
What is a reverse shotgun start?
This is a variation of a Shotgun Start that applies when the tournament has fewer than eighteen foursomes. The motivation for using a Reverse Shotgun is to clear Hole 1 as quickly as possible so the course starter can run out regular customers and make more money.
How do you play shotgun scramble?
What Are The Rules For A Scramble?The team picks the best ball and plays all of their shots from that spot.For shots off of the green, each player must play within a scorecard of where the ball came to rest. ... For shots on the green, each player must play within a putter's head of where the ball came to rest.
What is a scramble in golf?
A scramble is one of the most common formats for golf tournaments. The game is played by a team of four players where each member hits their ball throughout the match. Team captains choose the best shot from the first stroke and use the same spot for each player.
What is a Texas Scramble golf game?
Texas Scramble is one of the most popular team games in golf. It is very straightforward. Each player in a group tees off as normal. The best of these shots is then chosen to be used for the next shot. Each member of the team hits his or her shot from that spot.
Why is it called shotgun wedding?
The phrase is a primarily American colloquialism, termed as such based on a stereotypical scenario in which the father of the pregnant bride-to-be threatens the reluctant groom with a shotgun in order to ensure that he follows through with the wedding.
What does saying shotgun mean?
informal North American. Claim the right to sit in the front passenger seat of a vehicle on a particular journey. 'my girlfriend called shotgun, so I sat in the back seat' 'Rocky called shotgun so I got in the back. '
Where did the shotgun originated?
The earliest shotguns, or “Haile Shotte peics,” as they were called, date back to the 16th century in England, where they were used for hunting by the aristocracy, chief among them Henry VIII. These were multiple shot firearms and were used primarily for hunting birds.
What is the meaning of riding shotgun?
Guard someone or something while in transit, as in The reporter found himself in the odd position of riding shotgun for an accused mobster. This term alludes to the armed defender of a stagecoach who sat beside the driver to protect against marauders and bandits.
Why do golf courses have shotgun starts?
The point of a shotgun start is to allow for a large field of players to get through a round without having to clog up a driving range all day in preparing for a tee sheet of starting times, keeping them engaged and moving so the course also doesn't have to necessarily give up a full day for an event. Almost always, shotgun starts are done ...
How many holes does a golf group play?
From there, each group plays the nine- or 18-hole round going around through the course in ordinal order from where they begin the round. For example, a group which tees off on the 11th hole would then play holes 12-18 before riding around to the first tee and then playing holes 1-10 to round out the day.
What is a shotgun start in golf?
Golf News Net. If you've ever played golf, you've probably heard of the term "shotgun start.". It's kind of unique to the sport. After all, only in golf can players compete on the same shared piece of land in at least 18 -- really, more like 40 -- different places at the same time. And a "shotgun start" is designed to take advantage ...
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