Shotgun starts_ Like or Loathe

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I like them. They are rare and usually quite special comps at my place. If I didn't like em I wouldn't enter - and as entry is to all intents and purposes limited by definition to 72 players then we can't all play in any case.

 

[Robobum]

Got a little shotgun start next Tuesday @ Royal Porthcawl. The downside of which is I've got the ultimate fairway finder, Drive4show, playing right behind us!!

Means to an end, got no issues with it. If you played a brand new course and they told you the hole 7 was the starting point, you'd be bond the wiser. Get on with it!!!

 

[richart]

Got a little shotgun start next Tuesday @ Royal Porthcawl. The downside of which is I've got the ultimate fairway finder, Drive4show, playing right behind us!!

Shame, by the time Gordon has shown you where the fairways are it will be too late. You could always kick his ball in the rough though Darren.

 

[Foxholer]

Imagine that your first hole after a long walk out to it is a long carry, tricky par 3 over water.

Welcome to The Shire! Would also happen on 4 others, but the 'dry' one is the hardest imo!

Though off the 1st, you have had an opportunity to warm up!

Off the 10th Saturday.

 

[golfsaint]

I like the shotgun starts but somehow seem to get the furthest tee green away from the clubhouse at the finish

 

[G1BB0]

not a fan as got sick of them at my old club! give me 1 to 18 any day unless its just a fun comp.

 

[SaintHacker]

Our mens comp every sunday is a shotgun. Always enjoy it as everyone is back within an hour of each other so packed clubhouse, prizes and pee taking aplenty. We don't use every hole so you don't ever really get a back up. Occasionally you can end up as third shout which can mean a bit of a wait at the start, but if like me you're a lazy git you can put your name down late in the week meaning you get third group off the 1st!

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Think they are great because you all pile back into the clubhouse together :thup:

 

[Fish]

Think they are great because you all pile back into the clubhouse together :thup:

and as soon as the results are announced, 85% of them disappear!

 

[SGC001]

and as soon as the results are announced, 85% of them disappear!

Then have a sit down meal first before revealing winners or drawing the raffle prizes.

One way to deal with bigger numbers can be to run 2 shotgun starts, separate raffles maybe even prizes depending on how you see fit.

 

[Fish]

Then have a sit down meal first before revealing winners or drawing the raffle prizes.

That would probably reduce the field by 50%, everyone moans having to pay £4, chuck in a chefs special on top and we'll be giving mouth to mouth to some of the tight car park golfers!

 

[SGC001]

That would probably reduce the field by 50%, everyone moans having to pay £4, chuck in a chefs special on top and we'll be giving mouth to mouth to some of the tight car park golfers!

I tend to see shotgun starts as been sociable events with wither food before or after and as such potentially a good day for the club beyond entry fees.

Perhaps shotgun starts aren't the best way of running your comps and the membership may be better served by other comps, maybe shotgun starts done in that way work for your club and serve it's members needs.

Maybe a swap of your course with a local one for the day and BBQ / prizes thrown in for a reasonable price (swapping a course should avoid green fee expenses that would normally be due). People away may well spend more and both clubs could benefit.

 

[6inchcup]

i enjoy our shotgun comps as they tend to be a more social day,free food and a drink from the CAPTAIN on his day or the BBQ the ladies section does makes for a great day,trouble is i always seem to finish on the 13th the furthest hole from the club house.

 

[JCW]

Its good for Texas scrambles or captains day and bank holiday team comps , you can double up the par 3`s and the par 5`s , its good as you do the prizes after with everyone there not like the opens , if you are off early and have to hang about all day .....................bad for others who can`t get on the course , the seniors at some clubs do it on Monday mornings at say 9 am , so if you looking for an early round on Monday you have had it ...........................EYG

 

[NorfolkShaun]

I like a shotgun, nearly always done as a fun comp.

My old place done a 4.30 am tee then you all had breakfast after, was a really good crack.

Not sure I would want the monthly medal to be shotgun though.

 

[BTatHome]

Only ever used for fun comps at my course, and usually just for scramble type events too.

Usually very enjoyable as everyone gets to meet back in the clubhouse and have a laugh about what happened.

Course management doesn't like them as it ties up the course for much longer than the round itself, and as they are usually winter time they effectively have nobody else on the course after it's finished.

 

[GB72]

I like a shotgun, nearly always done as a fun comp.

My old place done a 4.30 am tee then you all had breakfast after, was a really good crack.

Not sure I would want the monthly medal to be shotgun though.

Both my last clubs had this and I admit that is good fun as a one off. Used to bre foursomes comp and breakfast after. First time I entered I got the long par 3 with water, that may have tainted my opinion ☺☺

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Two things. I hate being drawn at the furthest point from the clubhouse from a purely selfish point of view but that's the luck of the draw. My issue is that our opening hole is a tough one, 229 yards off the whites with OB and a pond. With a shotgun you can get the chance to ease yourself in. We have a couple of stretches of relatively easy holes and so its easier to get a score up and running rather than playing the rather tricky opening quartet. It means if you have a good score going when you come to these it's slightly easier to change tactics and protect the score a little more

 

[fundy]

Two things. I hate being drawn at the furthest point from the clubhouse from a purely selfish point of view but that's the luck of the draw. My issue is that our opening hole is a tough one, 229 yards off the whites with OB and a pond. With a shotgun you can get the chance to ease yourself in. We have a couple of stretches of relatively easy holes and so its easier to get a score up and running rather than playing the rather tricky opening quartet. It means if you have a good score going when you come to these it's slightly easier to change tactics and protect the score a little more

Sorry but I dont get this the course is harder depending on where you start. You still play the same 18 holes just seems some people deal with it differently in their own minds. Are you telling me the 1st is an easier hole if you play it later in the round?

 

[Slab]

So most don't mind one now and again and they do seem to generate a feel-good factor for the game and the post game socialising

Agree that starting in the outfield is a pain unless the course makes arrangements with buggy's etc to get folks in position (had to walk about 1km before and after last month to get to my start tee, nearly collapsed at the end) fortunately I play in a buggy most rounds so when a shotgun event comes round its like wacky races as we disperse round the course
(think we need a golf buggy smiley, that must be what today's maintenance is for!)