
A) A shotgun tournament is when groups start on different holes on the golf course at the same time. Traditionally a loud noise or "Shotgun" was sounded to let groups know when to start.
What is a shotgun start golf tournament?
· "Shotgun start" is not a golf tournament competition format but rather the way a tournament begins. When there's a shotgun start, all the golfers begin play simultaneously, each group of four golfers teeing off on a different hole on the golf course . For example, Group A begins on Hole 1, Group B on Hole 2, Group C on Hole 3, and so on.
What are the benefits of a shotgun start in golf?
A shotgun start is a way of organizing a golf tournament so that all players tee off at the same time from different parts of the course. So, instead of starting every group from the first tee, you can spread them out to begin on different holes across the course.
How do golf tournaments work?
· So, a shotgun start in golf is starting a tournament in a way that sends each group in a tournament field to a specific, unique starting hole or position.
What is the origin of shotgun start in golf?
A shotgun start golf tournament format sees the first to 18th group of four balls tee off, at the same time on different holes. In other words, each four-ball is assigned a different hole from the 1st to the 18th, and you tee off at a specific time.

How long does a shotgun start golf tournament last?
All tee time tournament groups are expected to play nine holes in two hours or eighteen holes in four hours as there will be other golfers on the course before and after your group. Shotgun start tournaments are usually allotted two and a half hours for nine holes and five hours for eighteen holes.
What is shotgun scramble?
A shotgun scramble is a fun and inclusive format that requires players to team up and select the best ball to play from the tee. As it is a shotgun start, players are split into four balls and designated to tee off from around the course.
How many golfers are in a shotgun?
four golfersWhen there's a shotgun start, all the golfers begin play simultaneously, each group of four golfers teeing off on a different hole on the golf course.
How long is shotgun golf?
Because there will be other golfers on the field before and after your session, all tee time tournament teams are anticipated to play nine holes in two hours or eighteen holes in four hours. Shotgun starts typically last two and a half hours for nine holes and five hours for eighteen holes.
What is a honeypot in golf?
Just a slang term for a golf tournament's bonus payout or prize pool. For example, if golfers chip-in $5 each, the total amount collected is the "honey pot" and is used to pay out at the end. Contributing to a honey pot is usually optional; only those that pay in are eligible to win anything at the end.
Why do some golfers start on the 10th hole?
TWO-TEE START (TANDEM START) 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 is a shotgun tee off?
A shotgun start is a golf tournament format in which all groups of players tee off simultaneously from different holes. A shotgun is shot into the air to signal the start of the tournament. Each hole on a course will be the tee off hole for each foursome. Group 1 would start from hole 1, Group 2 from hole 2, etc.
What does Star mean in golf?
As asterisk next to a player's last name on a golf leaderboard means the player began play on the back nine that day. With a quick scan of the leaderboard, you are able to note which players teed off on the front nine versus those who started on the back nine.
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.
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 are the skins in golf?
Skins is a game in golf where players compete for a prize – usually money – on every hole. The prize at stake is called the 'skin'. The game tends to be played in either threeballs or fourballs, with monetary values decided before players tee off.
What is a Texas Scramble golf game?
A Texas Scramble is a four-person team scramble, and this normally requires a minimum number of tee shots of each member of the team to be used during the round. Some forms of Texas Scramble require a player to play his or her own ball for the duration of each par 3 hole.
The Shotgun Start in Golf Explained
A shotgun start is a way of organizing a golf tournament so that all players tee off at the same time from different parts of the course. So, instead of starting every group from the first tee, you can spread them out to begin on different holes across the course.
Why is it Called a Shotgun Start?
It is called a shotgun start because takes its name from the fact that a shotgun was originally fired to signify the start of the round. The very first shotgun start was reportedly at Walla Walla Country Club in Washington in 1956.
How Does a Shotgun Start Work?
A shotgun start is an incredibly effective way of starting a tournament, and it positions players all over the course to tee off at the same time.
What is a Modified Shotgun in Golf?
A modified shotgun start still enables you to have all tournament entrants start and finish at the same time, but it also allows the golf course to open for other customers. A modified shotgun start is more suited to smaller tournament fields, and most courses require a minimum of 48 players.
What is a Reverse Shotgun in Golf?
A reverse shotgun is another way of utilizing the shotgun start for competitions that have fewer than 72 players. The advantage of a reverse shotgun start is that hole one is cleared as quickly as possible, meaning the course can quickly open up to other paying customers.
What is a Double Shotgun in Golf?
Tournaments with a large field of entrants that follow a shotgun start are referred to as a double shotgun. In this instance, organizers will give players the choice of two tee-off times, one early in the morning and one early in the afternoon.
What is a Shotgun Scramble?
A shotgun scramble is a fun and inclusive format that requires players to team up and select the best ball to play from the tee. As it is a shotgun start, players are split into four balls and designated to tee off from around the course.
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 ...
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 ...
Do you have to ride in a cart to start a shotgun?
Almost always, shotgun starts are done with players riding out to their starting hole on carts, but riding in the cart throughout the round is not always a requirement. Sometimes, players will drive out to their starting hole, taking off their bags and walk, either by themselves or with caddies.
How many places can you play golf on the same land?
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 of the fact that a golf course can be used more efficiently, and a golf tournament can be completed more ...
What Are The Benefits Of A Shotgun Start In Golf?
Shotgun starts have massive benefits in golfing, as participants are more likely to complete simultaneously. The golf course administrators can rapidly reopen the course to additional paying clients.
Tee Times vs. Shotgun Start
In a traditional system, each participant will get a separate start time from the same hole; however, each player will have a separate start time from the same hole in a shotgun style.
How Does a Shotgun Start Operate?
A shotgun start is a very successful way to begin a tournament since it places competitors all over the course at the exact moment to tee off.
What Is The Duration Of A Shotgun Golf Tournament?
Because there will be other golfers on the field before and after your session, all tee time tournament teams are anticipated to play nine holes in two hours or eighteen holes in four hours.
Shotgun Start Variations
what is a reverse shotgun start in golf is when less than eighteen foursomes are participating in the tournament.
What Happens If there are more than 18 groups
In the examples we’ve given, we’ve talked about tournaments having 18 groups of four golfers each, one per hole.
Why do golf tournaments have shotgun starts?
Shotgun starts are a popular way to save time for tournament organizers, especially when they’re trying to get other groups of golfers out to play after the tournament. Organizers may also choose to have a shotgun start for events being played late in the day or to avoid poor weather conditions.
What is a shotgun start in golf?
What is a “Shotgun Start” in Golf? In golf, a “shotgun start” occurs when multiple groups of golfers start their rounds simultaneously on unique holes. It’s a faster and more efficient way for 18 or more groups to finish their rounds compared to staggering start times on a limited number of holes. This term gets its name because tournament ...
How long does it take for a group to start a golf tournament?
All groups will begin at one of these 2 holes, with their start times usually being staggered by 10 minutes.
What to do if you start a golf game with a shotgun?
If you’re participating in a golf event with a shotgun start, be sure to maintain a reasonable pace. With every hole always occupied, it takes a combined effort from all groups to keep things moving steadily.
How many holes do you play in a shotgun start?
A tournament organizer may choose to have a shotgun start, having 18 or more groups start simultaneously on various holes of the golf course. If a group is beginning their round on the 7th hole, they’ll play holes 8, 9, 10, etc. until they finish on the 6th hole. Thanks to the shotgun start, all of the groups will both start ...
How many groups can you have on an 18 hole golf course?
How can you have more than 18 groups begin at once on an 18-hole golf course? This is accomplished by sending 2 groups of golfers to par-5 and even par-4 holes. Once the 1st group tees off and hits their 2nd shots, the 2nd group can tee off to a clear fairway.
What is a shotgun start?
A shotgun start is a concept in which all the players in a tournament begin playing at the same time, but from a different place on the course. Each player will start at a different hole when the tournament begins and the players will continue along the course in order from the hole where they began. For example, if a player begins ...
What are the components of a golf tournament?
Golf tournaments are excellent ways to raise money or awareness for an organization or charity, but there are a lot of components to consider when planning your next golf tournament such as location, cost, sponsors, and participants .
What is a tee time?
A tournament that uses tee times assigns each participant a specific start time throughout the day. When participants are assigned a tee time, they usually all begin at the first hole on the course.
How many minutes apart are tee times?
Tee times are typically staggered anywhere between 10 and 15 minutes apart to give players a chance to move down the course and keep everyone moving.
Why do people use tee times?
Tee times are helpful when planning a large tournament with a lot of participants because it allows everyone some flexibility. People with busy schedules will be more likely to participate if they can choose a tee time that fits their needs.
How far apart are tee times?
Tee times are typically staggered anywhere between 10 and 15 minutes apart to give players a chance to move down the course and keep everyone moving.
Shotgun Start Definition
A shotgun start is a tournament format that has groups of golfers starting off from various holes across the course.
Origin Of Shotgun start
The origin of the shotgun start is believed to be in May 1956 according to Golf Digest. According to the story the head golf pro shot off a shotgun to alert golfers around the course that the could tee off.
What is a reverse shotgun start in golf?
A reverse shotgun start refers to a start in which golfers start on various points on the course in order to clear the first hole as fast as possible.
What is a shotgun scramble
A shotgun scramble is simply a round of “best ball” or scramble that utilizes a shotgun start.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed our guide to understanding shotgun starts in golf. If you have any questions regarding our guide or anything regarding shotgun starts please be sure to reach out in the comments below.
