Shotgun start

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A shotgun start is a golf tournament format in which all groups of players tee off simultaneously from different holes. 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. Each group starts play at the same time. A shotgun start will allow a tourney to end at the same time it takes one foursome to finish a full round or 18 holes of golf. If there are more than 18 teams, some double up at the 4 and 5 par holes as A & B teams.

It has been reported in the December 2004 issue of Golf Digest, in May 1956 the head pro, Jim Russell, fired a shotgun to sound the start of play to golfers at Walla Walla Country Club in Walla Walla, Washington.^[1] This is purportedly the first time a tournament used such a starting format. Today, a siren or specific time is used so that golfers all over the course can hear the signal to start the tournament. Usually the event chairperson uses this type of tournament when a lunch or dinner is planned to give out the awards and prizes to the whole group at the same time. This is one of the best ways to have a charity tournament so that everyone finishes at the same time.

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