A modified shotgun start is a popular tournament format that balances the needs of a golf outing with the golf course's regular business. Unlike a traditional shotgun start that uses all 18 holes, this format uses only a portion of them, creating a fun, group-oriented experience without shutting down the entire facility. This article will break down exactly how it works, why tournament organizers use it, and what you, the golfer, need to know to play your best when you tee it up in one.
Think of a modified shotgun start as a hybrid approach to starting a golf tournament. It’s part shotgun start, part traditional tee times. In a classic shotgun, a group of four golfers starts on every single hole - #1, #2, #3, and so on, all the way to #18 - at the exact same time. This is great for getting a large field of players (usually 72 or more) on and off the course together.
However, many charity events, corporate outings, or social leagues don't have enough players to fill all 18 starting spots. This is where the modified version comes in.
In a modified shotgun, groups are assigned to a strategic selection of holes. For example, in a tournament with 56 players (14 groups), the organizers might assign them to tee off simultaneously on holes 1 through 14. This leaves holes 15, 16, 17, and 18 open. The golf course can then sell traditional tee times on hole #1 before the event starts, knowing those players will be well ahead of the shotgun group. They can also book tee times for after the shotgun group has played through.
The core idea is efficiency and flexibility. It captures the social, collective-finish benefit of a shotgun start while being practical for smaller groups and allowing the course to generate additional revenue - a true win-win.
To really appreciate the "modified" part of the name, it helps to be clear on how the original shotgun start works. The concept originated in the 1950s by Jim Russell, the head pro at Walla Walla Country Club in Washington. To get all his friends in a tournament off the course at the same time for post-round festivities, he had them start on different holes, signaling the beginning of play by firing a shotgun into the air (a practice now universally replaced by an air horn for safety reasons!).
The defining characteristic of a regular shotgun start is totality:
The modified shotgun start is different primarily in its scale and exclusivity:
So, the main distinction is that a modified shotgun shares the course, while a regular shotgun takes it over completely.
Golf course operators and tournament organizers often prefer this format over other options for several practical reasons. For players, these benefits contribute to a more organized and fun event.
From the club’s perspective, this is a major advantage. Shutting down the entire course for a 50-person outing isn't financially practical. A modified shotgun allows the club to host the event and generate the associated revenue (green fees, carts, food, and beverage) while still booking out their morning tee sheet to regular members and the public. This dual-income stream makes hosting smaller events much more attractive.
Not every charity or company event can muster 72 players. If an organizer has a field of 40 golfers (10 foursomes), a regular shotgun start would leave 8 starting holes completely empty, which is an inefficient use of the course. A modified shotgun, however, is a perfect fit. The organizer can work with the course to use holes 1 through 10 as starting spots, allowing everyone to tee off at the same time and create that "event" atmosphere without requiring a massive turnout.
Compared to a standard first-tee start where groups tee off every 10 minutes, a modified shotgun drastically condenses the finish time. Instead of the first group finishing four or five hours before the last group, everyone finishes within an hour or so of each other. This is tremendous for planning post-round activities like luncheons, awards banquets, or networking events, as you aren't waiting around for the final groups to trickle in.
While an excellent format, a modified shotgun does come with a few challenges that both players and organizers should be aware of.
The smooth, introductory rhythm of playing the first few holes as the designer intended is lost. Your round might begin on Hole #7, a long par 4 with water down the entire left side. Starting cold on one of the course's most difficult holes can be a rough welcome. As a coach, my advice here is to make your warm-up non-negotiable. Spend adequate time on the driving range and putting green to make sure your body and mind are ready for whatever challenge your starting hole presents.
This is more of an operational challenge for course staff. They need clear signage and potentially marshals to direct every group to the correct starting hole. There's nothing more chaotic than having 15 golf carts zipping around trying to find Hole #12. This also means timing is important, the course has to neatly manage the transition between the public tee times and the event start.
While the pace is generally good, problems can arise. If the organizers put a group of beginner golfers on a particularly tough starting hole, they can back up all the groups behind them. A well-run event will consider player handicaps when making hole assignments to maintain a steady flow. You may also find that when your group makes the turn from hole #18 to #1, you could briefly bump into other groups if the timing isn't perfect.
Your experience in a modified shotgun will be fantastic if you show up prepared. It’s slightly different from a regular round, so here’s a simple guide to follow.
A reverse shotgun is just another variation designed for course efficiency. In this format, groups start on the back nine (e.g., holes 10 through 18). This clears the entire front nine, allowing the course to sell regular tee times off of hole #1 for a long stretch in the morning. Players in the event play holes 10-18, then "cross over" to play holes 1-9, finishing on #9. The end goal is the same: host an event and accommodate public play.
The time you spend physically on the course is usually the same as a standard round - about 4.5 to 5 hours. The big win isn’t the duration but the synchronization. You might tee off at 1:00 PM and finish around 5:45 PM, and every other group in the tournament will finish within that 5:30 to 6:00 PM window with you.
In short, a modified shotgun start is a clever and practical format that offers the camaraderie of a group event without requiring a full field or a course buyout. It gives players a fun, shared experience and provides golf facilities with operate efficiently and profitably.
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