Shotgun start for big PGA Tour events.

[jshots]

Would anyone think it would be cool if PGA tour events were played as a shotgun? I think it might be cool to see everyone finishing at the same time, it would feel more like a race to go lowest. Maybe it would cause more drama, especially for come from behind wins. Rather than someone sitting in the clubhouse all day waiting to see if someone catches back up to them, they would know right then and there.

At the same time maybe it would make for too much going on at the very end.

Not saying I support this idea necessarily, just wondering what people think about it.

[shades9323]

It might work after the cut, but they would need 3 waves for the full field to keep a good flow. Even after the cut you would need at least 2 waves unless you made them play in 4 somes. I don't think it is a good idea.

[jamo]

If you had two waves, you would still need to put several groups at each tee. Seems to me that would slow down play. If you had three waves, you might be able to get away with 18 groups teeing off, but then you'd need 12-15+ hours to play all three waves. Either way it seems like play would slow down. I haven't done the math, but I would guess that it doesn't come out well.

[Chilli Dipper]

Shotgun starts are never a good idea.

[Shindig]

Even if the math somehow worked out, there's still the issue that sometimes the flow of a course is very different when you start elsewhere. As an extreme example, can you imagine starting your round at TPC Sawgrass at 16 or 17? Or starting Augusta at 11? Other starting spots that would change the flow dramatically include the Bear Trap.

[jshots]

Yes good points, but do you agree that it would be cool to see everyone finish at the same time or do you like when someone plays well that they have to wait?

[iacas]

Originally Posted by jshots

Yes good points, but do you agree that it would be cool to see everyone finish at the same time or do you like when someone plays well that they have to wait?

I don't think it'd be cool to see everyone finish at the same time. The leaders earned the right to be last and know what the score to beat is.

[sean_miller]

I'd prefer it to the current setup. Most tournaments i play in are shotgun start and they seem to work out okay, but there are a few problems. Starting on the toughest hole? Tough sh**. Starthing on a hole that will have you finishing as far away from the clubhouse as possible? Tough s***. Number of players in the field? 72 (4 x 18). And make them finish in 4 hours too. If we're expected to play with 3 random people who may be hacking it up and still finish in 4 hours, then surely professional golfer taking fewer strokes should be able to meet this pace. Would their scores suffer? Tough . . .

And regarding what they need to shoot, how about shooting as low as possible? With live scoring they should have a pretty good idea where they stand, what holes lie ahead, and where they should be attacking the course.

[motteler621]

Originally Posted by jshots

Would anyone think it would be cool if PGA tour events were played as a shotgun? I think it might be cool to see everyone finishing at the same time, it would feel more like a race to go lowest. Maybe it would cause more drama, especially for come from behind wins. Rather than someone sitting in the clubhouse all day waiting to see if someone catches back up to them, they would know right then and there.

At the same time maybe it would make for too much going on at the very end.

Not saying I support this idea necessarily, just wondering what people think about it.

dont like it. It would be a good blow to spectators going to pga tour events too, plus I dont think it would be possible for pga tour events; not enough room on the range for all the players pre round. Just not a good idea, most scrambles I play in are shotgun start and I wish we had different tee times throughout the day, also sucks having a tee time at 7 am with everyone else because its so early

[acetoolguy]

I think you would miss a lot also, I doubt the networks would put enough cameras or announcers on the course to cover a shotgun format.

[scratch1day]

The players would hate it, can you imagine starting your round on Amen Corner. Don't think it would really work for TV.