
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
What is a good shotgun for a beginner?
Nov 21, 2018 · 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...
What golf clubs should a beginner start with?
A shotgun start in golf is described as participating players starting a round of golf at the same time, allocating groups of golfers to different tees before requiring them to start simultaneously. There are many advantages to shotgun starts in golf, as players tend to finish at the same time, and golf course managers can get the course back open quickly for other paying customers.
What is considered a good golf shot?
Aug 28, 2003 · The shotgun start is all about time management. A shotgun start means that all the golfers get underway at the same time, rather than teeing off at regular intervals from the No. 1 tee. Imagine the tee times are spaced 10 minutes apart. That means that it takes roughly 180 minutes for 18 groups of golfers to begin their rounds using such tee times.
What is the easiest shot in golf?
Nov 15, 2021 · A shotgun start is a concept in which all participants in a golf game start the game simultaneously but from various locations on the course. So when the event begins, each participant will start in a different position, and they will proceed along the course in order from where they started.

What is a shotgun start in golf?
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.
Why do they call it a shotgun start?
Then, when the shotgun start happens -- named for the idea of firing a shotgun in the air as the indication all players should start their round at the same time -- each group tees off from their specified hole.Nov 21, 2018
Does PGA Do shotgun start?
But I've often wondered why major televised golf tours don't sporadically offer a shotgun start, simply for the fan experience. Think about it: In the opening two rounds of any event, you're able to catch your favorite player on live television for only one of those days.Oct 16, 2015
What is a modified shotgun start in golf?
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.
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 double 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.Sep 30, 2020
What is the start of a golf game called?
Playing a hole on a golf course is initiated by putting a ball into play by striking it with a club on the teeing ground (also called the tee box, or simply the tee).
What is a 9 hole shotgun?
A shotgun start in golf is when all players tee off at the same time on different holes. If there is a 9:00 am shotgun start, all players will tee off at 9:00 am, and they will all start on holes one through eighteen. Typically, in a shotgun start, there will be one or two groups at every hole of the golf course.
How do they decide who tees off first?
If you said your opponent, you're correct. Rule 10-1b states that once everyone has teed off, the golfer farther from the hole plays first, regardless of position. There is no penalty in match play for playing out of turn, but your opponent can make you cancel and replay your shot.Mar 31, 2009
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 golf scramble vs 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 a breakfast ball in golf?
In golf, the term "breakfast ball" is an euphemism for a mulligan. Basically, a "breakfast ball" is a mulligan for a tee time that is in the morning. So, what's a mulligan in golf?Aug 4, 2021
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.
How long does it take to start a golf shotgun?
A shotgun start means that all the golfers get underway at the same time, rather than teeing off at regular intervals from the No. 1 tee. Imagine the tee times are spaced 10 minutes apart. 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 ...
How many golfers are in a shotgun start?
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. Each of those groups is assigned to a different hole on the golf course.
Why are shotgun starts so popular?
Shotgun starts are very popular with fundraising tournament s, corporate outings, association playdays and the like because of the time management benefits. And all golfers finishing around the same time makes it easier to get everyone into any follow-up activities (lunch, awards ceremony, etc.).
What time does a shotgun start?
Usage examples: "The tournament on Saturday has a shotgun start at 9 a.m.". "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.".
Where did the term "shotgun start" come from?
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.
Is a shotgun blast a loudspeaker?
A loudspeaker atop the clubhouse. Even, yes, a shotgun blast. And upon hearing the starting signal, golfers on every tee box around the golf course begin play.
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.
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 ...
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.
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 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 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.
How Long Does a Shotgun Start Golf Tournament Last
It depends on the length of the course, which is set by the tournament organizers and the number of holes. No matter your preferred flavor of shotgun start golf, there are plenty of places around the country to play. The difference between these courses, however, is the length of the tournaments they host.
What is a Reverse Shotgun Start In Golf
A reverse shotgun start is a golf tournament where the players are divided into groups based on their handicap. A reverse shotgun start in golf is a starting format commonly used in golf tournaments.
What Is The Start Of A golf Game Called
The golf game begins with the player’s drive. The player’s drive is the initial shot taken after the player has teed off. The player’s drive, shot from the teeing ground, will be the longest and most important shot that player will take during the round of golf.
When is a shotgun start used in golf?
A shotgun start is used commonly in golf tournaments, where there are more than 18 groups teeing off.
How does a shotgun start work?
When the tournament format is a shotgun start, each group will tee off on a different hole so they can start at the same time.
Shotgun start vs normal start
A normal start has each group tee off on the same hole to start, making sure they all play the same holes in the same order.
Keeping up with the pace of play
One of the most important things to know when you’re playing in a shotgun start is to keep up the pace of play.
Final thoughts
Shotgun starts are great for golf tournaments where you have a lot of groups going out.
What is a Shotgun Start and How Does It Work?
A shotgun start is a way for golf tournament players to start by skill level.
What does it mean to start golf with a shotgun?
A shotgun start, in which 18 or more groups begin on different golf course holes, may be chosen by a tournament organizer. If a group starts their round on the 7th hole, they will play holes 8, 9, 10, and so on until they reach the 6th hole.
Normal Starting Vs Shotgun Starts Methods
If you watch a professional golf event, you’ll notice that groups usually begin their rounds by teeing off on the first or tenth hole (or just the 1st). All groups will start at these two holes, with start times generally staggered by ten minutes.
Rules & Regulations of a Shotgun Start
Obviously, it depends on whether a course has 9 or 18 holes. Each group of players will begin playing from a unique and different starting hole or position. There will be no two groups that begin to build the same hole. When the siren sounds, each of those groups begins.
How does making a shotgun start unique?
Players may begin playing at various times in other events. In shotgun start competitions, however, all groups must begin their game at the same time. When the slowest foursome completes a full round, the competition is over.
Standard Events for the Shotgun Start
Since most participants in a shotgun tournament start and finish at the same time, this style of starting is common in charity events when it is preferable to finish early. Consequently, the organizing committee will be able to organize the prize-giving ceremony and a post-event supper.
What is a reverse shotgun start in golf?
A reverse shotgun start is a golf tournament where the first three players on each hole are from the same group. This means that the first three players on the first hole will be from the same group, and then a different three players will go next.
What is a shotgun start?
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.
When did golfers start using sirens?
The December 2004 issue of Golf Digest reported that in May 1956, Jim Russell, the head pro at Walla Walla Country Club in Walla Walla, Washington, fired a shotgun to sound the start of play. This is purportedly the first time a tournament used such a starting format. Today, a siren is used so that golfers all over the course can hear ...
Why do golfers use sirens?
Today, a siren is used so that golfers all over the course can hear the signal to start, or a specific time is designated. This starting format is popular for charity events, as everyone starts and finishes at the same time. This allows for a post-event meal where the prizes can be awarded.
