Are hole-by-hole score sheets appropriate for shotgun-start events?

Hole-by-hole score sheets are generally not appropriate for shotgun-start events because of the unique format of these tournaments. In a shotgun start, all groups begin play on different holes simultaneously rather than sequentially from the first hole. This means that players are not necessarily playing in a straight sequence of holes, which complicates the use of hole-by-hole score sheets that are traditionally designed for linear play.

In a shotgun format, the primary focus is on completion of scores collectively for the entire round, as each group will finish at different times on various holes. The score sheets used in these events typically must accommodate the different start points, which may involve separate scorekeeping methods to ensure accuracy and ease of recording scores across multiple holes at once.

As a result, the more conventional hole-by-hole score sheets may not provide the flexibility and functionality needed for capturing scores accurately in a shotgun start, leading to confusion or errors in scoring. This makes the option of using them inappropriate for such events.