American Hole 'n One's Blog

Golf tournaments are excellent ways to raise money or awareness for an organization or charity, but there are a lot of components to consider when planning your next golf tournament such as location, cost, sponsors, and participants. Another important consideration is the way in which the tournament is played, specifically how to tee things off.

Tee time vs. shotgun start in golf, which should you choose? There are benefits to each style, so you'll want to consider factors such as the number of participants and how long you want the tournament to run, but each brings its own benefits to the game.

What is a Shotgun Start?

A shotgun start is a concept in which all the players in a tournament begin playing at the same time, but from a different place on the course. 

Each player will start at a different hole when the tournament begins and the players will continue along the course in order from the hole where they began. For example, if a player begins at hole 15, they will then move to hole 16-18 and then continue to hole 1 and play through 14. 

A shotgun start in golf is an incredibly efficient way to utilize the expansive grounds of a golf course. Having everyone play at the same time speeds up the tournament, keeps it from getting log jammed at a particularly difficult hole, and allows all the participants to celebrate together at a post-tournament party.

How Do a Tee Times Differ?

A tournament that uses tee times assigns each participant a specific start time throughout the day. When participants are assigned a tee time, they usually all begin at the first hole on the course. Tee times are typically staggered anywhere between 10 and 15 minutes apart to give players a chance to move down the course and keep everyone moving.

Tee times are helpful when planning a large tournament with a lot of participants because it allows everyone some flexibility. People with busy schedules will be more likely to participate if they can choose a tee time that fits their needs. 

Which Style Tournament Should I Choose?

Whether you choose a shotgun start or decide to use tee times, your tournament is sure to be fun and exciting for all of your participants because each brings their own unique aspect to the event. 

Shotgun starts in golf are a great idea if the length of the tournament is a concern—you'll move everyone through faster and clear the course for other golfers. While tee times are a good option when flexibility is required. 

Which one is best for your event is up to you!

While you are planning your tournament, don't forget about the prizes! Our Hole ‘n One Contest coverage allows you to create and advertise awesome prizes that will attract even more participants and sponsors. Please feel free to contact us to learn more about our fantastic prize coverage before your next tournament.