In a mini golf shotgun start, groups begin at the same time from different holes. A group starting at hole 4 on a nine-hole course plays 4 through 9, then 1 through 3. Ask the venue which holes it can start groups on and how many players it allows per group before you set your ticket limit.
How to plan a mini golf shotgun start
- Get the course map and approved starts. Ask which holes staff can send groups to, how players reach them, and whether groups can go from the last hole back to hole 1. If the last hole keeps the ball, ask where players pick up a replacement.
- Count playing groups. Divide the player count by the venue’s limit per group and round up. With 23 players and a four-player limit, you need six groups and six approved starting holes. Count guests who are there to watch separately and ask about spectator access.
- Give every group a start, a finish, and a meeting point. Write those three details on the scorecard or in the message you send to each captain. Have staff direct anyone who needs a step-free route to their assigned hole.
- Brief everyone before sending them out. Name the shared start signal, explain the stroke limit, and tell groups where to return their equipment and scores. Send late arrivals to check-in so staff can tell them where to join.
What three published event plans show
| Published example | How the start was set up | What to ask your venue |
|---|---|---|
| Brock Golf Course’s 2026 private event plan | The private option set aside the course for the group. The plan listed 72 players across 18 holes at four per hole. | Is the course private during our slot, and how many holes can we start on? |
| Construction Association of South Florida’s Puttshack social | The organizer planned play on two nine-hole courses with six players assigned to each starting hole. Bookings of two to five could be filled out with individual players. | Can we fill smaller groups with solo guests? If we use two courses, who goes on which one? |
| Jax Fray mini golf rules | The league’s rules put four active players on a hole, two from each team. Groups play 18 holes and finish on the hole before their start. | Does “team” mean a roster, the people putting on a hole, or the group moving around the course? |
We compared three organizers’ published plans for course access, players per hole, and what each group does after the start. The main distinction for booking is that a roster size, a ticket limit, and the number of players on a hole are three different numbers.
Example: 23 players on nine holes
Suppose the venue approves a full loop, a limit of four per group, and these six starting holes. Five groups of four and one group of three account for all 23 players.
| Group | Players | Start | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 4 | 1 | 9 |
| B | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| C | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| D | 4 | 5 | 4 |
| E | 4 | 7 | 6 |
| F | 3 | 8 | 7 |
Holes 3, 6, and 9 start empty. In this example, they give three groups an open hole to move to after their first one. Ask staff where to put the gaps: an empty hole after a slow obstacle can help the group on that obstacle move on when it finishes, while a group directly behind it may still have to wait. If staff approves only five starting holes with four players each, the single-start limit drops to 20. For 23 guests, ask about a second wave or use staggered starts.
Tell captains to record scores by the printed hole number. Group C puts its first score in box 4, then circles back to boxes 1 through 3 at the end. If your format gives prizes for a particular hole, this keeps those scores comparable. Choose a scoring format and tiebreaker separately using the mini golf tournament guide.
When staggered tee times work better
Use staggered tee times when the course wants all groups to enter through hole 1, the path from the last hole to the first is closed, or people cannot all arrive for one briefing. Ask the venue for the spacing it uses between groups. For six groups with five-minute spacing, the sixth starts 25 minutes after the first. Add that spread to your round timing plan before you book a room or set an awards time.
A shotgun start removes that initial 25-minute spread in the example. Groups still finish at different times, so give early finishers somewhere to wait without blocking the course. If the outing is a fundraiser, put score return near your awards area and keep it separate from new ticket sales. Start with the course directory and ask the venue to put the approved start holes, group limit, and course access in your group booking.
Mini golf shotgun start FAQ
What is a shotgun start in mini golf?
Playing groups start at the same time on different holes. Each group follows the course in order and stops after playing every assigned hole once.
What hole do you finish on in a shotgun start?
On a full loop, you finish on the hole immediately before your starting hole. On a nine-hole course, a group starting at hole 4 finishes at hole 3.
How many players fit in a mini golf shotgun start?
For one group per hole, multiply the number of approved starting holes by the venue’s player limit per group. Six starting holes with a four-player limit fit up to 24 players.
Do you need to rent the whole mini golf course?
Ask the venue whether it allows simultaneous starts during public play. If staff cannot clear the starting holes and route groups safely, use staggered starts or ask about a private booking.
Is a shotgun start the same as a scramble?
A shotgun start tells groups where and when to begin. A scramble tells players how to play and score each hole. You can combine the two.
Do all groups finish at the same time?
No. Groups begin together, but finishing times depend on pace and backups. Set the awards or meal time around the last group’s return, with time to collect scores.
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