If you’re aiming to lower your score or simply want to enjoy a round without the pressure of individual play, then 2 man scramble is your go to format as this is the ultimate test of teamwork and strategy. This golf format is an ideal mix of competition and companionship, transforming the individual pursuit of golf into a high-stakes partnership where a single brilliant shot can make all the difference.
This guide covers everything essential for excelling in the 2 man scramble golf format, from basic rules and handicap calculations to advanced strategies that can help your team climb the ranks. Find your partner, coordinate well, and discover how to succeed in your next game.
What is a 2 Man Scramble in Golf?
A 2 man scramble golf involves two players teaming up; both tee off, then choose the best shot, and continue playing from that position until the hole is completed. This engaging, strategic game is suitable for players of all skill levels, emphasizing teamwork and enabling risky shots.
How to Play a 2 Person Scramble: The Rules
A 2 person scramble is one of the best formats that golf has to offer. It is all about teamwork and strategy; this is how the 2 man scramble rules are going to apply:
Step 1: The Tee Shot
Each player from the team takes his turn at the tee. No matter who hits first, there is a rule that generally applies, with the team often strategizing that the more reliable player has the first crack at it to ensure that a ball is in play, while the longer player gets to take his aggressive swing.
Step 2: Select the Best Position
The team looks at the two tee shots and which one they think is the best for the next stroke. This is generally determined by the factors of distance, the angle to the green, and the current lie.
Step 3: Marking the Spot
Using either a ball marker or a tee, the position of the best shot must be marked. The ball not chosen is then picked up.
Step 4: The “One Club-Length” Rule
Next shot each player takes a shot from within one club-length of the marked spot. The ball must not be placed closer to the hole.
Important Rule to Remember – Keep the Lie: When you are using your club-length, you must play from the same type of lie as the original ball. If the ball you have chosen is in the rough, then both players will take their shots from the rough. If it is in a bunker, then both will play from the sand. You cannot move a ball from the rough to the fairway even if it is within one club-length.
Step 5: On the Green
The “one club-length” rule no longer applies when a ball reaches the putting surface. Instead, players must play from the original mark within one putter-head length, no closer to the hole. Once one player sinks the putt, that hole is finished for the team.
Step 6: Recording the Score
The team writes down one score for the hole. For instance, if the team uses one tee shot, one shot from the fairway, and one putt, they record “3” (Birdie on a Par 4). Handicaps are often applied at the end with the 35/15 rule, a common 2 man scramble formula. Regardless of how many people hit the ball, you only count the team’s ‘best’ sequence of shots as one stroke each.
Step 7: Determining the Winner
The team with the lowest total score after 18 holes is the winner. In the event of a tie, most tournaments use a scorecard playoff comparing scores starting from the handicap hole or the final hole backwards.
How to Handicap a 2 Man Scramble?
Handicaps plays an important role in 2 person scramble golf as they create a level playing field between the two man scramble teams by reducing the total number of strokes taken by the team using a method of the 35/15 rule that usually involves taking 35% of the lower handicap one’s strokes and 15% of the higher course handicap one’s strokes, according to the rules of USGA handicap allowances.
How to Calculate the Handicap – Step by Step Process
- Find individual handicap: Both players get their official course handicaps.
- Apply percentage: Take 35% of the lower player’s handicap and 15% of the higher player’s handicap as the basis for calculating.
- Add them together: The total handicap of the team would be the sum of the two amounts that have been calculated with 35/15 rule.
Calculation Example:
Player A (10 Handicap): 10 x 0.35 = 3.5
Player B (20 Handicap): 20 x 0.15 = 3.0
Method: (0.35*10)+(0.15*20): 3.5 + 3.0 = 6.5 Team Handicap
Pro Tip: To ensure your math is perfect before you head to the first tee, use our Golf Handicap Estimator to calculate your team’s advantage instantly.
Rationale Behind This Method?
This method brings about a scenario where the lower handicap player (better player) will receive a relatively smaller proportion of strokes, while the higher handicap player will receive just enough strokes to keep the game competitive, thus ensuring a fair contest among players with various levels of skill.
2 Person Scramble Golf Strategies to Win
After having a clear understanding of the rules and the format, the next thing is to learn the tactics in a 2 man scramble golf. Although the rules remain more or less the same, the strategy specifies how to shoot for lower scores.
- Know Strengths & Complementary Skills: It is very important to set the correct playing order. A long hitter can be paired with an accurate player, or a strong short game player with a good driver, and that means one for putts and another for the rest of the shots.
- Safer Player First: The most precise or consistent player on the tee goes first to secure that the ball will be in the fairway.
- Best Putter Goes Last: This allows them to check the line and slope from the previous putts, thus enhancing their probability of succeeding on the hole.
- Weaker Putters First: Let the less self-assured putters go first to observe and aim for a close tap-in in case they miss.
- Use Mulligan Wisely: If the tournament allows mulligan, save them for the crucial shot, like short putts (under 10 feet) or bunker shots.
Conclusion
The 2 man scramble golf perfectly illustrates the saying that two minds and two sets of clubs are superior to one. It reshapes the solitary nature of golf into a team effort. A well-timed drive from your partner can give you the confidence to attempt a difficult shot, and a shared judgment of the green can turn a tough par into a birdie that shifts the momentum.
The 35/15 handicap split not only improves your score but also makes the game more fun by allowing you to play to each other’s strengths.
In a championship or during a relaxed Saturday game with a friend, the two-man scramble format always offers a fresh start on every hole and a joint strategy for each shot. Choose a partner whose weaknesses counterbalance yours, sharpen your plan, and get ready to post a score that might just leave you in wonder.
FAQs
How many drives are in a 2 man scramble?
There isn’t a fixed number of drives; a minimum drive requirement ensures both players contribute, depending on the rules of the tournament.
What is the difference between a 2 person and a 4 person scramble?
A 2-person scramble is more demanding; if the first player hits a poor shot, the second player faces immense pressure to keep the team in play, usually resulting in scores closer to 4 to 8 under par. In contrast, in a 4-person scramble, teams typically achieve much lower scores, often reaching 12 to 18 under par in a standard round. With four "looks" at every putt and four drives on every hole, the probability of at least one player hitting a "perfect" shot is high.
How long does a two man scramble take?
A two-man scramble usually runs somewhere between 3.5 to 4 hours. You might assume that fewer players would speed things up, but that's not always the case. If both players are having a rough time keeping it on the fairway, a two-man scramble can actually take longer than a four-man scramble. With four players, at least one is likely to be in decent shape, while a two-man team might find themselves spending more time searching for lost balls from difficult risks.
