A shotgun start is a tournament format where all groups begin playing simultaneously — each from a different hole — rather than starting one group at a time from the 1st tee. The name comes from the original signal used to start play: a shotgun fired into the air.
You won't hear a shotgun at most modern events (a horn or a loudspeaker announcement has replaced it), but the name has stuck.
How a shotgun start works
Before the round: Players are assigned to specific holes as their starting point. Group A starts at hole 1, Group B at hole 2, Group C at hole 3, and so on through all 18 holes. With 18 starting positions and typical groups of 3–4 players, a shotgun start accommodates 54–72 players simultaneously.
The start signal: At the designated time, a signal is given (horn, announcement, or historically a shotgun). All groups tee off on their assigned hole at the same moment.
Playing the round: Each group plays in sequence from their starting hole — hole 7, 8, 9, 10... 18, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 — completing all 18 holes. The round ends when the last group finishes, which is around the same time for everyone since they all started together.
After the round: Because all groups finish at approximately the same time, the prize-giving, meal, and any formal post-round gathering can happen together. This is a significant logistical advantage over a traditional tee-time format.
Why clubs use shotgun starts
1. Everyone finishes together
This is the main reason. In a charity golf day, corporate event, or club competition with a post-round meal, you need everyone to finish within the same window. A traditional tee-time format means early starters finish 3–4 hours before late starters — the prize-giving becomes impossible to time, the food gets cold, and the event loses coherence.
2. More efficient use of the course
A shotgun start fills the entire course at once rather than progressing groups through it. For events with 50+ players, this is the most efficient way to get everyone around in a single session.
3. Suitable for corporate and charity formats
Scramble and Texas Scramble events — the most common formats for corporate and charity golf days — almost always use a shotgun start for exactly these logistical reasons.
Shotgun start vs tee time format
| Shotgun start | Tee time format | |
|---|---|---|
| When groups start | All at once, different holes | Staggered, all from hole 1 |
| When groups finish | Approximately together | Staggered over hours |
| Best for | Events, charity days, large competitions | Club medals, qualifying rounds, casual play |
| Course usage | Whole course used from the start | Progressive, front-loaded |
| Post-round gathering | Easy — everyone done at same time | Difficult — long window between first and last finisher |
Does a shotgun start affect handicap?
No — the shotgun start is purely a logistical format for when and where groups begin. It has no effect on how scores are counted, how handicap strokes are applied, or whether the round qualifies for WHS handicap submission.
A round played in a shotgun-start competition qualifies for handicap submission exactly the same as a round played with traditional tee times, provided all other qualifying conditions are met.
Shotgun start variants
Split-tee start (or two-tee start): A half-shotgun format where groups start on both hole 1 and hole 10 simultaneously. Less logistically complex than a full shotgun — only two starting points instead of 18 — but achieves a similar "everyone starts and finishes together" effect. Common for medium-sized club events.
Reverse shotgun: Groups start on higher-numbered holes and work backwards — hole 18, 17, 16... This is rare and usually only used when specific holes need to be avoided early in the day (wet greens, maintenance, etc.).
Frequently asked questions
Can I do a shotgun start with fewer than 18 groups? Yes — if you have 10 groups, you assign 10 of the 18 holes as starting points. The remaining holes are simply skipped until the groups cycle around. It's less efficient than a full shotgun but works fine.
Do I need to know the course layout before a shotgun start? It helps, but clubs always provide a course map and starting hole assignment in advance. You'll know which hole to go to before the start signal — you're not expected to figure it out yourself.
What happens if my group starts on hole 7 and plays to hole 18, then restarts at hole 1? Exactly that — you play holes 7 through 18, then continue from hole 1 through to hole 6. The scorecard will have your holes listed in the order you played them. Scoring is the same as any other round.
Is a shotgun start used in professional golf? Occasionally — some pro-am events and charity tournaments use it. Most professional tour events use traditional tee times for broadcast scheduling and spectator flow reasons.
How early do I need to arrive for a shotgun start? Typically 30–45 minutes before the start signal. Unlike a staggered tee time where you can arrive just before your slot, a shotgun start requires all players to be ready simultaneously. Late arrivals can't be accommodated without disrupting the entire field.