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A shotgun start assigns one group to each hole on the course. All groups start playing at the same time, signaled by a horn, siren, or shotgun blast. Everyone finishes within 15-20 minutes of each other.
How it works
On an 18-hole course, 18 groups (usually foursomes) are each assigned a starting hole. Group 1 starts on hole 1, group 2 on hole 2, all the way to group 18 on hole 18.
At the signal (typically 8:00 or 9:00 AM), all 72 players tee off simultaneously on their assigned holes. Each group plays through 18 holes starting from their assigned hole and looping around. Group 5 plays holes 5, 6, 7... 18, then 1, 2, 3, 4.
The result: everyone starts at the same time and finishes roughly together. A round takes about 4 to 4.5 hours for all groups to complete.
Shotgun start vs tee times
| Shotgun start | Tee time format | |
|---|---|---|
| Start | Everyone starts at the same time | Groups go off every 8-10 minutes |
| Finish | Everyone finishes within 15-20 min of each other | Finishing times spread over 4-6 hours |
| Players | 72 players max (18 groups of 4) | 100-200+ players throughout the day |
| Best for | Tournaments, corporate outings, charity events | Regular daily play, large fields |
| Scheduling | Course closed to other play during event | Normal daily operations continue |
Why tournaments use shotgun starts
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Everyone finishes together. This matters for charity outings and corporate events where an awards dinner, cocktail reception, or lunch follows the round. With tee times, the first group finishes 4+ hours before the last group.
Fairness. All players face similar conditions. Morning dew, wind changes, and temperature shifts affect all groups equally. With tee times, early groups might play calm mornings while late groups face afternoon wind.
Efficiency. A 72-player shotgun event takes 5 hours (including setup). The same 72 players on tee times take 10+ hours to get through.
Common formats with shotgun starts
Scramble. All 4 players hit, the team picks the best shot, everyone hits again from that spot. Repeat until the ball is holed. This is the most common charity outing format. It's fast, fun, and lets high-handicap players contribute.
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Best ball. Each player plays their own ball. The team uses the lowest score on each hole. More skilled than a scramble but still team-based.
Stroke play. Individual scoring, standard rules. Used in club championships and amateur tournaments.
Modified shotgun start
For fields larger than 72 players, courses use a "double shotgun" or "wave start." Two waves of 72 players each go out, typically 4-5 hours apart. Wave 1 starts at 7:30 AM, wave 2 at 12:30 PM.
The PGA Tour occasionally uses modified shotgun starts to get a round in before weather delays. In 2023, the Players Championship used a split-tee start (groups off holes 1 and 10 simultaneously) to compress the schedule after rain delays.
What to expect at a shotgun start event
- Arrive 45-60 minutes early for registration, range time, and putting practice.
- Check the cart or scoreboard for your starting hole assignment.
- Drive your cart to your assigned hole by the start time.
- Wait for the horn/siren. Don't tee off early.
- Play 18 holes, keeping score by the format specified (scramble, best ball, stroke play).
- Return to the clubhouse. Scores are usually due within 15 minutes of finishing.
- Awards, food, and prizes follow.
Origin of the term
The name comes from the original method of signaling the start: firing a shotgun into the air. Jim Russell, head professional at Walla Walla Country Club in Washington, is credited with organizing the first shotgun start in 1956 for a member event.
Today, most courses use an air horn or PA system instead of an actual shotgun.
Tips for playing in a shotgun start event
Shotgun start events are often your first experience with organized golf. Some tips:
- Practice the short game before the event. Scrambles (the most common shotgun format) are decided on the greens. Practice 20-foot putts and basic chips the day before.
- Bring cash for tips. Beverage cart staff, locker room attendants, and bag handlers expect tips at most events.
- Know the format rules. In a scramble, does everyone tee off, or can you skip if one player hits a great tee shot? How many drives from each player must be used? These rules vary by event.
- Wear the right clothes. Most charity events have a dress code (collared shirt, no jeans). Tournament organizers often include this in the event packet.
- Exchange contact info with your group. Shotgun events are networking opportunities. You'll spend 4+ hours with 3 strangers who share your interest in golf.
How courses handle more than 72 players
Many charity outings have 100-144 players. Courses handle this several ways:
Double shotgun: Two waves of 72 players, separated by 5 hours. Morning wave starts at 7:30 AM, afternoon wave at 12:30 PM. Each wave is a complete shotgun start.
A/B groups on each hole: Two foursomes start on each hole, one from the front tees and one from a designated alternate starting point. This fits 144 players (36 groups) on an 18-hole course. It's tight and requires precise logistics.
Using two courses: Large golf resorts with multiple courses split the field across both. Each course runs an independent shotgun start.
