What is a Shotgun Start in Golf?

In tournaments with a shotgun start, every golfer is assigned a starting hole. In tournaments with more than 18 groups, some holes can be doubled up with “A” and “B” groups. Instead of every group beginning their round on the first tee, every group heads to their assigned hole and begins at the assigned time. But beware, doubling up more than a couple holes will grind the pace of play to a near halt.

Shotgun starts are common in handicapped golf tournaments, and sometimes in more competitive tournaments. High-level amateur events and professional tournaments on the PGA Tour, LPGA Tour, DP World Tour and almost every other professional golf circuit use the traditional tee time start. Those tours sometimes use 1st and 10th tee starts to accommodate large fields and limited daylight, but not a shotgun start. 

However, LIV Golf has put shotgun starts in the spotlight by utilizing the format with some of the biggest names in professional golf in its startup golf league.

Until recently, a shotgun start was simply a routine detail on a golf tournament itinerary. But since the format has been adopted by LIV Golf for the world’s top players, it has become a point of controversy. Let’s examine the pros and cons of a shotgun start.

Efficiency. With a shotgun start, every golfer begins and ends their round at (or around) the same time. A tournament with 72 players can put a foursome on all 18 holes, and be played in about 4.5 hours. That same 72-player tournament using tee times at 10-minute intervals would take about 7.5 hours to complete from start to finish, with three hours of tee times and 4.5 hours for the last group to get through 18 holes.

Festivities. Tournaments with more than just golf on the itinerary prefer to have every golfer finish around the same time so they can all head to the post-round meal or awards ceremony. Using a shotgun start keeps every golfer on the same schedule, whereas tee times would complicate a tournament with a post-round gathering.

Prime Tee Times. Shotgun starts are sometimes used at busy golf courses during peak times. For example, some popular public courses start weekend mornings with a shotgun start between 7 and 8 a.m. to allow as many golfers as possible to enjoy a desirable weekend morning tee time.

Course Layout. Golf course architects are intentional in how they mix and match their sequencing of holes. It’s common for course layouts to set you up with the potential for a career-low score early on before dragging you through a gauntlet of finishing holes, or vice-versa. Using a shotgun start means every golfer will approach the make-or-break stretch of holes at a different point in their round, which could make the course architect cringe. It also means some players will have the awkward task of beginning a tournament round on a par-3.

Legitimacy. Nothing screams charity scramble like a shotgun start. There’s nothing wrong with a charity golf tournament, a scramble, or a shotgun start, but for competitive players who want to feel like they’re competing at the highest level, a shotgun start can de-value that experience.

Commute. While shotgun starts save time compared to tee times, tournament organizers still must build in some time for commuting. While a couple groups can waltz to the (likely) nearby 1st and 10th tees, others will have a long drive to the far corners of the course, a trip that golfers must repeat after their final putt. With that in mind, a shotgun start is only feasible when golfers are using carts, or there are carts available to shuttle golfers to their starting holes, and back after the round.

A shotgun start is a normal part of most local golf tournaments, and helps events run smoother and stay on schedule. For most golfers and golf tournaments, a shotgun start is the most appropriate starting format. But because they are so common in handicapped, fundraising and recreation tournaments, there is a stigma against the shotgun start in elite tournaments.