Booking a single tee time takes a minute online. Booking four consecutive times for a group of sixteen, at a course you've never played, in peak season, takes planning. Here's how to get the times you want and avoid surprises at check-in.
Know your numbers before you call
Courses think in foursomes, so turn your group size into tee times. Eight players need two times, twelve need three, sixteen need four. If your number isn't a multiple of four, decide whether you'll play a threesome or let the course add a single to fill a group.
Also decide:
- Riding or walking. Carts can be limited at busy times, and some courses require carts before a certain hour.
- Start time window. Morning times are usually the most in demand. If your group is flexible, midday or twilight times can be easier to get and often cost less.
- Number of rounds. If you want 36 holes in one day, ask whether the course offers a replay rate for a second round.
Book group times directly when you can
Online booking systems often cap how many players one person can book at once, or show only scattered times. For three or more consecutive tee times, it's usually better to contact the course directly, by phone or through a group request form. Ask for the golf shop or group sales contact.
When you reach them, ask:
- Booking window: how far ahead can groups reserve? Some courses open group bookings earlier than individual tee times.
- Group size thresholds: at what group size do group or outing policies apply?
- Deposits: is a deposit required, how much, and when is it refundable?
- Cancellation window: how much notice is needed to cancel or reduce the number of players without a charge?
- Rain policy: if weather closes the course or cuts the round short, do you get a rain check, a partial refund or nothing?
- Payment at check-in: can each player pay individually, or does the course want one payment for the group?
- Names: do they need every player's name in advance?
Write the answers down and keep the confirmation email. When something goes wrong, the person who has the policy in writing wins the conversation.
Consecutive times, or a shotgun start
For most groups up to about twenty players, consecutive tee times work well. Groups tee off eight to ten minutes apart, depending on the course's interval, and finish close together.
Larger groups and events sometimes use a shotgun start, where every group starts at the same time on a different hole. Everyone finishes together, which is ideal for an awards dinner. Shotguns usually need the course to block a large part of the day, so they are typically arranged as outings with minimums and deposits.
Pair the groups on purpose
How you split the group into foursomes shapes the day. Some approaches:
- Mix abilities so each group plays at a similar pace and no foursome holds up the course.
- Rotate pairings each round on a multi-day trip so everyone plays with everyone.
- Put the fastest group first. A quick lead group sets the pace for the groups behind.
Share pairings and tee times with the whole group before the day, so nobody is asking at the first tee.
Keep the group moving
A large group is visible to the course staff, and pace of play matters. A few habits help:
- Arrive early enough to check in, pay and warm up. The first group should be on the tee a few minutes before its time.
- Play ready golf: hit when ready, not strictly by honors.
- In formats like a scramble, pick the best shot quickly.
- If a group falls behind, let the group behind play through.
Paying for the round
Decide in advance whether players pay the course individually or the organizer pays and collects from everyone. If the course requires one payment, collect each player's share before the trip rather than after. Fronting several thousand dollars in green fees on your own card and chasing reimbursements is the least fun part of organizing. See how to split costs on a group trip and our deposit and payment timeline.
The week before
- Reconfirm the number of players and tee times with the course.
- Check whether any player needs rental clubs, and reserve them.
- Send the final pairings, times, address and dress code to the group.
- Check the forecast and reread the rain policy.
Booking tee times for a large group is mostly about asking the right questions early. Do that, and the day itself takes care of itself.