A golf tee time is the scheduled start for a player or group. Most rounds begin from the first tee, with groups leaving one after another at intervals set by the course. A split-tee start sends groups from both the first and 10th tees; a shotgun start sends groups off from several holes at once, usually for an organized event. Your confirmation and the starter’s instructions determine where and when you begin.
What a tee time means
A tee time reserves a scheduled starting slot for you or your group. It is not a universal promise about the length of the gap between groups: courses set their own intervals and party-size rules. For example, PGA WEST says its La Quinta Resort & Club and PGA WEST properties send foursomes off every nine minutes and do not allow groups of five. Those are venue-specific policies, not rules for all golf courses. Check the course’s current booking details for its requirements: PGA WEST golf information.
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Your booking confirmation may identify a starting hole as well as a time. A start on the 10th tee, for instance, means you begin on hole 10 rather than hole 1; it does not necessarily mean you have joined a different round or can choose another group’s slot.
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| Format | Where groups start | How the round proceeds | Typical logistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sequential, or first-tee start | Groups start at hole 1. | They play holes 1 through 18 in order. | Groups leave in their booked order at intervals chosen by the course. |
| Split tee | Separate groups start at holes 1 and 10. | A group from hole 10 plays holes 10–18, then continues at hole 1 when the turn is clear and course or event instructions allow. | Two starting sequences can run at once; the booking sheet or starter explains the assigned start. |
| Shotgun | Groups start simultaneously from multiple assigned holes. | Each group plays forward through the course, wrapping from 18 to 1 if needed, and completes the holes before its assigned starting point. | Often used for club or corporate events so participants finish at roughly the same time. The event sets the assignments and determines whether the course is reserved. |
The R&A describes shotgun starts as a format used for club and corporate events, with groups beginning on multiple holes at once. It also discusses pace monitoring for groups starting from holes 1 and 10: R&A pace-of-play guidance.
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Why you might start on the 10th tee
A course may use a split-tee arrangement to start groups from both ends of the course, or an event may assign you a particular starting hole. If your confirmation says “10th tee,” you generally play holes 10–18 first and then turn to hole 1, subject to the course’s directions and a clear turn. Not every course offers 10th-tee starts for ordinary bookings, and an event’s starting sheet takes precedence over assumptions about the sequence.
What to check before you arrive
- Read the confirmation. Check the date, time, course, group size, and starting tee. A hole number or “back nine” designation can indicate that you are not starting at hole 1.
- Follow the course’s check-in directions. Processes vary, so use the instructions from the course or event rather than assuming a particular check-in procedure. The USGA advises reaching the starting tee about 10 minutes before the scheduled time: USGA pace-of-play guidance.
- Ask if plans or assignments are unclear. If a player is late, the group is incomplete, or you cannot identify your assigned tee, contact the pro shop or starter. Do not assume you can exchange slots with another group.
- Use the event’s instructions for organized play. Follow its starting sheet and playing-format rules; event arrangements can differ from ordinary course bookings.
How groups keep play moving
On the course, the starting format establishes where play begins; it does not by itself decide every shot’s playing order. In stroke play, the USGA recommends ready golf when it is safe and players are not deliberately playing out of order to give someone an advantage. Follow the competition rules and the starter’s directions as well as local course guidance.
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