I Showed Up to My First Shotgun Start in 1987 and Had No Idea Where to Go, and I've Been Explaining It Ever Since
Now hold on a second. If you've ever signed up for a charity tournament or a league event and seen the words "shotgun start" on the flyer, you might have nodded and pretended you knew what it meant. I did the same thing in 1987, at my first scramble at a course outside Beckley. I showed up at the first tee like normal, and the organizer looked at me and said, "You're on 14, Buck." I said, "14 what?" That's when I learned that a shotgun start means everyone starts at the same time, but from different holes. And I've been explaining it to confused golfers ever since. This guide will give you the simple version, the same way I've explained it a hundred times on the first tee, so you'll never have to ask "14 what?" again.
Why You Should Trust Me on This
My name's Earl Buck Hatfield. I've lived in Beckley all my life, and I've played in more shotgun starts than I can count—charity scrambles, league events, and the occasional company outing. I've started on the first hole, the tenth hole, and once on the 14th, which was a long walk with a heavy bag. I know the format inside and out, and I know what confuses beginners. I'm not a pro, but I've been the confused one, and now I'm the one doing the explaining. I may earn a small commission if you buy through my links, but I only recommend what I'd suggest to a friend. And I'll never call you a dummy for not knowing what a shotgun start is. I didn't either, and I still remember the walk to 14.
What a Shotgun Start Actually Is
A shotgun start is a way to get a large group of golfers on the course at the same time. Instead of everyone starting from the first tee and waiting in line, groups are assigned to different holes—one group on the first hole, another on the second, and so on. At the starting signal—often a literal shotgun blast or just an air horn—everyone tees off at once from their assigned hole. The name comes from the idea that the start is like a shotgun blast scattering players across the course. It's the most efficient way to run a tournament with 50 or 100 players, and it's why so many charity events and leagues around Beckley use it. For you, it means you'll start on whatever hole the organizer tells you to, and you'll play the full 18 holes from there. So if you start on 14, you'll play 14 through 18, then loop back and play 1 through 13. It's that simple.
Why Tournaments Use a Shotgun Start
The main reason is time. If you have 36 foursomes—144 players—and you send them off the first tee one group at a time every ten minutes, it takes six hours just to get everyone started. With a shotgun start, all 36 groups are on the course and playing within minutes. That means everyone finishes around the same time, which is perfect for a post-tournament lunch or awards ceremony. I've played in scrambles where we started at 8 a.m. and were all done by 1 p.m., eating chicken and collecting door prizes. That would never happen with a traditional start. It's also more social, because you're spread out across the course and you'll see the same groups at the turn and after the round. I've made more friends at shotgun-start scrambles than at any other kind of golf event. If you want to learn about scrambles specifically, I've got a guide on what is a scramble in golf that explains that format. For now, know that the shotgun start is the engine that makes big events possible.
Three Things Beginners Often Get Wrong About Shotgun Starts
I've watched plenty of newcomers make the same mistakes at their first shotgun start. Here are three of them, and how to avoid them.
1. Showing up at the first tee. This is the classic. You arrive, see a crowd of golfers milling around, and assume everyone starts at the first hole. Then someone tells you you're on 8, and you have to walk halfway across the course with your bag. The fix is simple: check the tournament sheet or ask the organizer which hole you're assigned to. There's usually a list posted somewhere, and you can find your group's starting hole in seconds. I learned this the hard way, and I still check the sheet before every event.
2. Not knowing the format. A shotgun start doesn't tell you how to score—it just tells you where to start. You might be playing a scramble, a best-ball, or just a regular stroke-play event. Always ask what the format is before you tee off. I've seen beginners assume it's a scramble when it's actually individual play, and they spent the first hole picking up their ball after every shot. Don't be that person. If you're not sure what a scramble is, read my scramble guide. And if you need to brush up on basic rules, Maya's golf rules for beginners is a good place to start.
3. Being late to your assigned hole. The shotgun start happens at a specific time, and if you're late to your hole, you'll hold up the entire event. I've seen golfers jogging across fairways with their bags because they were ten minutes behind. The fix is to arrive at least 30 minutes before the start time, check in, find your hole, and be ready. I always arrive early, grab a coffee, and walk to my starting hole with time to spare. It's a much calmer way to start. And if you're new to the course, give yourself extra time—finding hole 14 at a place like Grandview can be a hike in itself. I know, because I've done it.
What to Bring to a Shotgun Start Tournament
You'll need the same gear as any round, plus maybe a few extras depending on the event. Bring plenty of balls—charity scrambles often have mulligans and side games, and you'll be swinging hard. Bring a glove—I always keep a spare in my bag, and if you need one, here's a search for beginner golf gloves on Amazon. If your budget's tight, DHgate has cheap gloves with slower shipping—order ahead so you're not scrambling at the last minute. Bring water, a snack, and maybe a little cash for mulligans and raffle tickets. And dress for the weather—shotgun starts can mean standing around before the horn, and I've been cold more than once on a dewy morning. If you want a full list of what to wear, Maya's what to wear golfing guide will set you straight. The main thing is to be comfortable and ready to play when the signal goes. I've been in too many scrambles where someone was still tying their shoes when the horn sounded. Don't be that guy.
Red Flags: Signs You're Not Ready for a Shotgun Start
If you notice any of these, stop and fix it before the horn blows. I've caught myself in each of these at some point.
🚩 You don't know which hole you're starting on. Find the sheet and check your assignment before you do anything else.
🚩 You don't know the format of the event. Ask the organizer or a playing partner. Playing the wrong format is a fast way to annoy everyone.
🚩 You're still at the clubhouse when the horn sounds. You'll be playing catch-up all day, and the group will be waiting. Arrive early.
🚩 You brought one ball and no water. You'll be in trouble by the turn. Pack light, but pack smart. I've made that mistake, and I was thirsty for four hours.
If you catch any of these, don't panic. Just ask for help. Golfers at a shotgun start are there to have fun, and most will be happy to point you in the right direction. I've never met a golfer who refused to help a confused beginner. We were all confused once.
What to Do Once You've Finished Your Shotgun Start
The first time you complete a shotgun start and walk off the 18th green to a waiting lunch and a crowd of happy golfers, you'll understand why these events are so popular. It's a different energy from a regular round—more social, more relaxed, and often for a good cause. I've played in charity scrambles that raised thousands for local schools and fire departments, and the shotgun start is a big reason they work so well. If you want to find a shotgun-start event near Beckley, check out local charity flyers, church bulletins, and community boards. Earl's list of Beckley golf courses often has contact info for upcoming events. And if you want to be ready for your first one, read my scramble guide and Maya's etiquette guide. They'll help you feel like a veteran instead of a first-timer. Now go sign up for a shotgun start, and remember: the only bad hole to start on is the one you can't find. Once you've got that sorted, it's just golf. And golf is always good.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shotgun Starts
How does a shotgun start work in golf?
All groups start at the same time, but from different holes. One group starts on the first hole, another on the second, and so on, until all 18 holes are occupied. When the signal sounds, everyone tees off from their assigned hole. You then play the full 18 holes in order, wrapping around from 18 to 1 if necessary. It's the most efficient way to run a large tournament. I've played in dozens, and it's always a smooth system once you know where to go.
What is the purpose of a shotgun start?
The purpose is time efficiency. Instead of waiting for 36 groups to tee off one at a time, a shotgun start gets everyone on the course within minutes. That means everyone finishes around the same time, which is perfect for post-tournament meals and awards. It's also more social, because you see the same groups throughout the round. I love shotgun starts for charity events because they maximize the fun and minimize the waiting. For a scramble format, it's almost essential. Read my scramble guide to see why.
Do I need a special tee time for a shotgun start?
No, you don't book a tee time. The tournament organizer assigns you a starting hole, and you just show up and go to that hole. You'll likely pay an entry fee that covers green fees and maybe food. The organizer will tell you the start time and your hole assignment. I always check the tournament sheet when I arrive, because assignments can change. If you're not sure, just ask—nobody minds a quick question. And make sure you arrive at least 30 minutes early to find your hole and get settled.
Can beginners play in a shotgun start?
Absolutely. Most shotgun-start events are scrambles or best-ball formats, which are very beginner-friendly. You'll be paired with other golfers who can carry the team while you learn. I've seen complete beginners have a great time at charity scrambles, and they're often the most fun events of the year. If you're nervous, tell your group you're new, and they'll help you out. For more on scrambles, check out my scramble guide. And if you want to brush up on basic etiquette first, read Maya's etiquette guide. It'll settle your nerves.
What happens if I finish my round early in a shotgun start?
You'll usually wait for the other groups to finish, then gather for lunch, awards, or raffle drawings. Some events have side games or a putting contest while you wait. I always use the time to grab a drink and compare notes with other players. It's a social event as much as a golf round, so enjoy the downtime. If you're hungry, bring a snack or find the clubhouse grill—many events include food in the entry fee. I've had some of my best post-round meals at shotgun-start scrambles. If you want to find an event near Beckley, check out Earl's list of Beckley golf courses and their event calendars.
Where to Go From Here
Now that you understand shotgun starts, the next step is learning the most common format used with them: the scramble. My what is a scramble in golf guide will walk you through that, and it's the perfect companion to this article. If you want to brush up on course etiquette before your first event, Maya's golf etiquette guide has you covered. And if you need gear like gloves or balls, the beginner gear hub has honest recommendations that won't oversell you. When you're ready to sign up for your first shotgun start, Earl's list of Beckley golf courses will point you to some local events. Now go find your starting hole, and remember: everyone starts somewhere. In a shotgun start, you start everywhere. That's the beauty of it.