Golf events with groups starting at several holes

At a conventional golf day, everyone queues at the first tee, and the photographer stands there. At a multi-hole start, the opening of the day happens in eighteen places at once, or however many holes are in use. This guide sits within our overview of recreation and fitness-event photography.

What changes when groups start at several holes?

The first change is that the opening is no longer a single moment. Each starting hole has its own group, its own atmosphere and its own few minutes. The host's group may be at hole 4, a sponsor's flight at hole 11 and the guest of honour at hole 15.

The second change is that the holes are far apart. Moving between them takes minutes, and the course may not allow the crew to cross it freely.

Start by finding out the arrangement

Ask the organizer these things before planning anything.

• Which holes are used for starts, and how many groups begin at each?
• What time is the start, and is there a signal?
• Are there briefings or announcements at the clubhouse before groups head out?
• Does the club permit a photographer to move around the course, and how?
• Are carts or other transport available to the crew?

Our guide to golf-course transport and photographer access explains why the answers must come from the club. Do not assume that a course open to players is open to a photographer with equipment.

Which starts can be covered?

Think of the opening in three layers.

1. Before the start. Registration, the briefing, the group photograph. These happen in one place and are easiest to cover.
2. The first minutes. Groups at their holes. Only the starts the crew can reach are covered.
3. Play in progress. Groups on the course after the start. Coverage depends on access and the plan.

Our sports coverage zone planner is useful for drawing the course into zones and marking where the crew can be.

An example scenario

For example, imagine a charity golf day with 72 players in 18 groups. Groups begin at holes 1 to 18 at 8am. The host wants photographs of the opening and of two sponsor flights. The club allows the photographer to use a cart on the cart paths, but not to cross fairways.

A workable plan has the photographer cover the briefing and group photograph at 7.30am. At 8am, they position near the two sponsor holes, which are close to one another, and photograph both starts. After that, they follow play on permitted paths and return to the clubhouse for the late finish. The other starts are not photographed, and the host knows it beforehand.

What if a second photographer is available?

A second authorised photographer allows two starts to be covered at once. This adds to the quotation and needs club permission, so ask whether it is wanted. Our guide to what an additional event photographer changes explains the difference.

How do you handle surprises?

Starts rarely follow the plan exactly. Weather delays, late arrivals and swapped holes all happen. Name one contact who can tell the photographer what has changed. Our guide to coverage when an event moves faster than its schedule describes how we adapt.

What to tell us

• The format, hole assignments and start time.
• Which starts matter most and why.
• What movement the club permits.
• Who gives instructions on the day.

We confirm the crew, the starts we plan to cover and anything that depends on club approval in your written quotation.

Group photographs and the briefing

The best chance for a single, full group image is before the start. Ask the organizer whether a briefing, a flag-off or a registration queue gathers everyone. Plan the group photograph for that point, with a few minutes of buffer, because once golfers head to their holes they will not return together until the awards. Tell players beforehand when and where, so they are not caught in the rush to the carts.