The Scramble Golf is likely the most entertaining game to play as part of your charity or corporate event as well as have a fun group competition. Why? It’s fast, everyone can contribute, and nobody has to worry about hitting a bad shot. It is the quintessential team game of golf.
Whether you are searching for the basic Golf Scramble Rules or you want some insider information on tips to win, this is your guide to all you need in understanding the scramble format.
What is a Scramble in Golf?
A Scramble in golf is an efficient team format, where each player hits the golf ball, typically from the tee. The team will then decide which of the four players hit the best shot. From that point forward, the players will hit from that location in the same order, hit again, then decide which of the team players again has the best shot. Keeping with the Scramble format, the team will keep hitting from the best shot until a player has holed out.
The Scramble Golf format keeps pace of play, minimizes penalty strokes for bad shots, and allows the newer players to swing hard since they are not (as) worried about ruining their team round. Now THAT is collaborative!
Golf Scramble Rules
Scramble Golf event rules are mostly straightforward and uncomplicated, though some minor local variations do exist. Technically, the format is seen as an alternative by the world governing bodies, but it is based upon the spirit of the USGA Rules of Golf for play from hazards, out of bounds, etc. Here are the fundamentals you would want to know about Golf Scramble Rules.
The Tee Shot
Every player on your team will tee off, no matter the skill level. Once all balls have been hit, the team would walk out and decide which ball is in the best position (i.e. longest, or safest, or best angle to the pin). After agreement and selection of the best ball, all other players on the team would pick their ball up.
Shot Selection and Ball Placement
This is where the format gets its name. After selecting the best ball:
- Placement: All players in the team (not including the player whose ball was determined) will drop/place their ball within one club length of the location of the best ball. You would not usually alter the type of playing surface (i.e. you could not move a ball from the rough to the fairway, or onto the green from the rough if that best ball happened to be in the rough).
- Order: The player whose shot was selected typically plays last from the new location. This way they can see their teammates hit before they hit their shot.
- Green: Once the ball is on the green, you will usually be able to place the ball within one putter-head length of the location of the best ball, the ball must be placed on the green, and not dropped.
Scoring
In a Scramble event, the team keeps one score marker with respect to the hole which uses the last ball that was holed as the score.
Real-World Example: On a Par 4:
- Shot 1 (Tee): Player B hits the longest drive. The team picks B’s spot.
- Shot 2 (Fairway): Everyone hits from B’s spot. Player C hits the approach shot closest to the pin. The team picks C’s spot.
- Shot 3 (Green): Everyone putts from C’s spot. Player A sinks the putt.
- The Team Score is 3 (a Birdie).
Thus, low scores and high spirits! If you want to review the base you can check Golf Scoring Terms.
Handicaps
Scramble Golf Rules will use a modified handicap to establish parity among the teams in the event. Each player does not use their own handicap, the team has a team handicap, usually calculated based on the handicaps of the other players on the team.
- A typical team rule, for example, on a team of 4 would be as follows, Player A gets 10% of their handicap, Player B gets 20%, Player C gets 30%, Player D gets 40%.
- The resulting number is the team’s allowance subtracted from the final gross score.
(If you need help figuring out your own index, you can use a quick handicap estimator or learn how to calculate golf handicap.)
Player Rotation / Minimum Drives Rule
To promote fair play and contributions from all players in a scramble tournament, there are many times a minimum drives rule in place.
- For a standard 18-hole round, a rule stating each player must contribute a minimum of four (or three) tee shots for the team to select as the best ball may be in place.
- A team will need to keep track of the player used in the scorecard to meet this minimum drives rule at the end of the round. This is an important rule to ensure the game is a team effort.
Scramble Golf Rules at a Glance (Summary Table)
| Rule | Typical Application / Example |
|---|---|
| Tee Shot | Everyone hits their ball from the tee. The team collectively decides on the best shot, usually based on distance or position. |
| Ball Placement | After selecting the best ball, players drop their ball within one club length of that spot (no changing surfaces, like moving from rough to fairway). |
| Order of Play | The player whose shot was chosen hits last from the new spot, allowing them to see their teammates attempt the shot first. |
| Holing Out | Once any player sinks the putt, the hole is finished. The team records one single score for the hole (e.g., one Birdie, one Par). |
| Minimum Drives | Most teams require each player to have a minimum number of their tee shots used, usually 3 or 4, during the 18-hole round to make sure everyone contributed. |
Different Formats or Variations of Scramble
The standard Golf Scramble Rules are only the beginning! Many tournaments use their own unique version(s) to add strategic elements to the Scramble and to make the game even more fun. For more details on these alternative games, you can check the USGA’s guidance on other forms of play.
Texas Scramble
The Texas Scramble is basically the same as the standard four person Scramble and has the added minimum drives rule. For example, in a tournament under Texas Scramble rules, the rules state that all 4 players must use a minimum of four drives over the 18 holes. This format of Scramble is the most popular today.
Florida Scramble
This variation introduces a slight increase in difficulty, but adds strategy and fun! After selecting a shot (best shot), the player hitting the shot has to sit out on the second shot. The other players (3, from a 4-person team) hit from the exact spot as the other shot. The play continues until the hole is finished.
Las Vegas Scramble
Using a 10-sided die is unique for this format. All 10 sides have numbers (1 through 10). Before the team tees off, they roll the die to see which teams’ score cannot be counted on that hole based on the number rolled. It adds a major element of chance and prevents the single best player from dominating every hole.
Bramble
Often called a Shamble, this is a hybrid. The team plays the hole as a Scramble only up until the tee shot (meaning the team selects the best drive). After that first drive, every player plays their own ball from the selected spot until they finish the hole. The team then records the single lowest individual score (Best Ball) on the hole.
Ambrose
This format is very similar to the Texas Scramble but incorporates the team handicap differently. Now, the handicap calculation here is pretty straightforward: you determine the final net score by taking a percentage-usually 1/8th – of the combined total handicap of the team and subtract that from the final gross score.
Strategies/Tips to Help You Win at Scramble Golf
Want to win your scramble golf? It’s all about playing smart golf. You need to zero in on your team’s best skills and figure out how to cover for those iffy shots. Teamwork is the only way this works!
- Assign Roles for Tee Shots to utilize each player’s strengths effectively, and establish the tone for the round.
- Trust your best putter to finish strong and make the putts that matter most.
- When you have an opening, always attempt to put it on the green, justifying the risk of hitting the ball from the rough.
- Do not use your best player’s drive until a par 5 or reasonably hard hole to conserve their cannon.
- Manipulate your understanding of the club length rule in such a way as to give you small advantages in ball location as the hole progresses.
Tips for Organizing a Scramble Round
While organizing a Scramble Golf event for a fun play or charity has its own structure, it essentially only requires a couple of strict steps to make sure that everyone has fun.
- Specify handicap rules in advance so everyone knows how they’ll be applied.
- Explain placement rules clearly to keep play fair and consistent.
- When appropriate, add a column to the scorecard for “drives used” when players must mandatory drive.
- Provide your players with a cart sign that summarizes scramble rules for easy reference.
Holing Out
The Scramble Golf format is created to make the game enjoyable, quick and highly competitive, regardless of skill level. If you know the basic Golf Scramble Rules particularly the ‘minimum driver’ and ‘shot selection’ and have a smart team strategy, you should see a marked improvement in your score and the trophy staying right where it belongs. Have fun and enjoy a great team experience on the course!
FAQs
What’s the difference between scramble and best ball?
In Scramble, the team plays one single best shot after every shot, and all players hit from that position. Whereas in Best Ball, each player is playing their own ball the entire hole, and the team only takes the score of the lowest player. They are very different formats! (For a detailed explanation, see our Best Ball vs. Scramble article).
Is a scramble faster than regular golf?
Typically yes. Because you are only playing one shot, teams will waste less time looking for lost golf balls, hitting out of trouble and waiting for four players to putt, which saves a considerable amount of time.
Is scramble golf good for beginners?
Absolutely! The scramble format is very new-player friendly because it literally takes the pressure off of you. You can swing as hard as you want, practice those difficult shots that you would never take in fear of ruining a scorecard, and your fellow teammates will be there a close ball to play. Everybody gets to be part of that low team score!
How long does a game of scramble golf take?
A round of 18 holes with a four-person scramble typically takes between 4 to 4.5 hours to finish. You will finishing faster since you are only playing the best ball.
Are mulligans allowed in scramble golf?
Mulligans are not standard Golf Scramble Rules. However, in charity or social events, mulligans are often sold as a fundraising item before the round. If you purchase one, the rules of the event will determine who can use it and when.
