Shotgun starts_ Like or Loathe

[Fyldewhite]

we only use in winter for a couple of xmas time comps, I like the idea and it works well, we have 4 par 3 that don't get used as starting points and 2 groups on all other tees the course flows much better.
I would agree with the back 9 discrepancy though if your having a back 9 countback it should be the back 9,6,3 holes you played IMO.

Wouldn't work. If they are different holes then different pars, difficulty etc which simply isn't fair.

So why not use the front 9..?

OK, I'm sure there may have been an element of what you said in choosing the back 9 but the main purpose is just to separate scores, arbitarily, fairly in a way that's the same for all. It's not even a rule, just accepted tradition and can be reconfigured in the software if anyone wanted to do it differently.

As for OP......I love shotguns, the only drawback as far as I can see is starting on a hole miles away from the clubhouse then getting in to find it 3 deep at the bar.

 

[john0]

They good for winter comps so everyone can get finished while it's still daylight. Also helps get everyone back in the bar at the same time to create some atmosphere.


PS - I thought this place was shut closed?

 

[Fish]

We use them a lot for Texas Scrambles but we load the course far too much and sometimes we have as many as a further 9 holes doubled up (27 4-balls) A few of us now don't bother with the mixed drawn ones as all the club is doing is getting as many pound notes on the course putting enjoyment second place as the pace of play is excruciating. The last one, although they had a full field of 18 groups, they decided to double up the front 9 so social players still had access, we were waiting on every tee and every subsequent shots, madness!

 

[FairwayDodger]

We use them a lot for Texas Scrambles but we load the course far too much and sometimes we have as many as a further 9 holes doubled up (27 4-balls) A few of us now don't bother with the mixed drawn ones as all the club is doing is getting as many pound notes on the course putting enjoyment second place as the pace of play is excruciating. The last one, although they had a full field of 18 groups, they decided to double up the front 9 so social players still had access, we were waiting on every tee and every subsequent shots, madness!

That is terrible. One of the benefits of shotgun start is good spacing between all the groups.... hopefully nobody should have to wait at all!

 

[CMAC]

I like them occasionally as everyone finishes together and results are 'announced' quickly.

I also like starting around the 15th so when we finish we can play in under social conditions- you can never get enough golf:whoo:

 

[Imurg]

I think at West Hill we doubled up on 2 or 3 holes only and they were longish ones (I think?)

 

[Fish]

When I play at Staverton in their Opens they have extra fairway tee times on the par5's, you simply tee off early and then when the hooter goes your playing your 2nd shots from the fairway, having them just as a blanket front 9 and especially when a par3 is behind you is insane!

 

[sfby]

Don't mind them in principle, but our club always wants to start them at 8:00 - I don't want to get up that early at a weekend!

 

[fundy]

Dad has a golf day a couple of times a year, they are always shotgun starts, as are most of the winter pro-ams I seem to play. Pretty sure how much people like them tends to be on how close to the clubhouse the tee they get drawn is! Dads day is fine (im always off the first lol), at the Bedford have had best part of a mile walk in brutal winter conditions which is never the best of starts

 

[rosecott]

So why not use the front 9..?

No reason why not - but we use the back 9.

 

[duncan mackie]

as had been highlighted, they are a constructive way to

1. get everyone round and back in at the same time
2. each course will have 'the right number of starting groups - add even 1 more than this and they become a misery for many
3. it makes it even more enjoyable if there are appropriate facilities to get out to the far end of a course...

personally I like to start at the 1st tee everytime, and every course, I play; but subject to the above the occassional shotgun event is welcome (just like scrambles, greensomes, foursomes, bogey comps, etc etc)

 

[Doon frae Troon]

The course always flows well. We would double up on the par 5's for 22 teams of 4.
My club do a midsummer madness one with a 4.30am start followed by a champagne breakfast and auction. [each team had to donate an item]
Raised £ thousands for the local hospice over the years.

 

[rosecott]

we only use in winter for a couple of xmas time comps, I like the idea and it works well, we have 4 par 3 that don't get used as starting points and 2 groups on all other tees the course flows much better.
I would agree with the back 9 discrepancy though if your having a back 9 countback it should be the back 9,6,3 holes you played IMO.

I'm surprised at you as a rules man. The good book in its recommendations suggests that, if you are using back 9, back 6 etc, for a multi-point start, you should use the back 9 as per the scorecard.

 

[chellie]

We like them although like others we've always started off on holes miles away from the Clubhouse!

 

[mcbroon]

Never played in one so don't know how I like it in practise. Don't like the idea in theory, though - I like to play 1-18 in order.

Golf courses have a character that comes in part (IMO) from the order in which the holes are laid out. I imagine that must change a bit if you start on the 8th or something.

 

[Foxholer]

Only way to get everybody to finish anywher near the same time (or as close as poss), so they work quite well if that's the requirement. Bit of a pain when you are on the furthest away hole though! Can end up walking half a round before even starting!

Can detract slightly from 'tough finish' courses and starting on a Par 3 is not something I really enjoy (save 1)!

 

[GB72]

I am not a massive fan as I would rather play the course in the order that it was intended. Somehow playing my home course does not feel right when you start on a different hole. I also think that it can alter the challenge of the course depending on where you start. Imagine that your first hole after a long walk out to it is a long carry, tricky par 3 over water. You are one of maybe 4 people who have to pull that tee shot straight out the bag without any holes under your belt. A group behind may have a short par 4 and a gentle par 5 to get their confidence going and warm up their swing before taking that shot on. At least if everyone starts in the same place then everyone place the same course in the same order.

 

[richart]

I think at West Hill we doubled up on 2 or 3 holes only and they were longish ones (I think?)

103 played Ian, so you can do the maths.

We had 8 double up holes, but our group didn't see the ones in front or behind all day. Paul Nash told me they had 144 play with a shotgun start at Bearwood Lakes. Every tee was a double up one.

 

[Imurg]

103 played Ian, so you can do the maths.

We had 8 double up holes, but our group didn't see the ones in front or behind all day. Paul Nash told me they had 144 play with a shotgun start at Bearwood Lakes. Every tee was a double up one.

36 groups on the course at the same time!!
Must have taken all day, especially with Paul looking for his ball all the time......

 

[richart]

H4H day at North Hants will be a two tee start. Both the first and 10th are very similar long par 3's, and everyone will also end with a difficult par 4. No real advantage which hole you start on.