<P> A Shotgun start is a golf tournament format in which all groups of players tee off simultaneously from different holes . A shotgun is shot into the air to signal the start of the tournament . Each hole on a course will be the tee off hole for each foursome . Group 1 would start from hole 1, Group 2 from hole 2, etc . Each group starts play at the same time . A shotgun start will allow a tournament to end at the same time it takes the slowest foursome to finish a full round or 18 holes of golf . If there are more than 18 teams, some double up at the 4 and 5 par holes as A & B teams . </P> <P> The December 2004 issue of Golf Digest reported that in May 1956, Jim Russell, the head pro at Walla Walla Country Club in Walla Walla, Washington, fired a shotgun to sound the start of play . This is purportedly the first time a tournament used such a starting format . Today, a siren used so that golfers all over the course can hear the signal to start, or a specific time is designated . </P>

What does the term shotgun mean in golf