4-Man scramble strategy?

[denbro17 14]

I am participating in my first 4 person scramble this weekend since quite a few years ago and I am a much better golfer now. What have you found is a good strategy for a 4 person scramble?

 

The other three guys are your average golf once or twice a year guys, but really fun to golf with! I'm not too sure on the specific rules to this scramble. Obviously, I just want to go out and have fun but let's assume there is no cheating (big assumption), what are some good key points and strategies that can help us get a lower score? 

[JTexGolfer 1,040]

Make birdies

Have fun

Drink beer

 

Not always in that order!

[TR1PTIK 2,602]

Since your partners don't play regularly, I'd hold off on trying to formulate any specific strategy until you know exactly what everyone is bringing to the table.

 

Basically though, you typically want to have your strongest player for any given shot go last - this could be the same person every time or maybe a different golfer for each type of shot (i.e. Driving, Approach, Short Game, Bunker, Putting). There are sometimes exceptions to this like if the player doesn't handle pressure very well.

 

Another recommendation would be to make sure you have a good ball in play before taking on risky shots. Other than that, just go out and have fun.

 

If your playing partners aren't that serious about trying to shoot the lowest score and carefully following a specific strategy, go along with it and just relax. It can be difficult, but you'll have much more fun if you don't feel like you're trying to pull them along on every hole.

[Peaksy68 3,887]

If you've got a good tee shot away, don't try and smash it, play your normal swing but take a more aggressive line. Most importantly, have fun and don't get disappointed when you get beaten by cheats!

[Shankster 25,554]

If you've got a good tee shot away, don't try and smash it, play your normal swing but take a more aggressive line. Most importantly, have fun and don't get disappointed when you get beaten by cheats!

Exactly, we got beat last summer... these 4 hacks were “-11” through 9. I saw some of their shots... there is no way.

 

I always went first or second, because the rest of my team were “so so” golfers, that way I did t add an extra “pressure” to myself. I think we finished -14, and that was near the middle of the pack.

 

I like playing in the big scrambles, played a few events while I was in Virginia and there were hundreds of people, we got smoked in these ones, but I was the only avid golfer on my team, so it was me against the world. (Still fun and what really gave me the golf bug again). Then a few back in Michigan where there were only 6-10 teams.

 

I'd recommend saving shots. Unless it is a everyone hits sort of thing, I mean if you have a good ball in the middle of the fairway, why waste the energy?

[STUDque 11,841]

With my teams, we usually mix the order up. Everyone needs to hit good shots so everyone should feel some pressure regardless of skill. I'm the long hitter so I usually hit last on driving holes so I know how much risk to take.

 

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Fun side story: one time (at band camp) we were on a drivable par 4 and the first 3 guys hit their shots in the hazard. I said "maybe I better take hybrid so we can wedge in." The elder statesman in the group says "F* that, get the big dog and put us on the green." Pressure intensifies. Welp, it's on him now if this doesn't work out....still pretty satisfying to see the ball rolling up to the tier the pin was on. Didn't make the putt because it was long but made an easy birdie.

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Ok back to the topic. Besides those tee shots, we basically play ready golf. Keep this baby moving and let's have fun and drink beer. If there's a tee shot in the fairway that you can't best, that's a good time to take a practice shot for whatever the approach will be.

 

If someone stuffs one close, we'll let them take the first crack at the birdie. Generally speaking though, you don't want your worst putter going first because they'll give the rest a terrible read. You want someone that can at least get the speed right most of the time...then obviously save your best putter for last. These things always come down to putting.

 

 

But most importantly, these are supposed to be fun events. My team has won our work Tournament the last 2 years and I still make sure to take part in copious amounts of the festivities. If you go out there trying to win, it's no fun. Just be realistic of your team's skill set and be happy if you can do well for what you brought.

 

 

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[Brian A 1,001]

2 strategies I've always considered.

 

1) Have fun with your friends and who cares what you score

 

2) Try to win

-Drive - have your best driver try to put one in the fairway, then let everyone else try to bomb a lucky one

-2nd/3rd shot - Best ball striker try to get it close with a safe shot, then let the rest try for the hole

-Putting - worst putter goes first and best goes last to give the best idea of the line. 

[revkev 22,017]

2 strategies I've always considered.

 

1) Have fun with your friends and who cares what you score

 

2) Try to win

-Drive - have your best driver try to put one in the fairway, then let everyone else try to bomb a lucky one

-2nd/3rd shot - Best ball striker try to get it close with a safe shot, then let the rest try for the hole

-Putting - worst putter goes first and best goes last to give the best idea of the line.

Have fun - yes!

 

I don't like the worst putter first though - he's generally the worst putter because he misshits his putts, often. That can mess the entire group up as they try and dial in the line. Stick the worst guy in the middle.

 

Let the best in each category decide when he wants to hit. In the end it's a crap shoot but I've found that strategy works best.

 

Good luck

 

 

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[Popeye64 540]

2 strategies I've always considered.

 

1) Have fun with your friends and who cares what you score

 

2) Try to win

-Drive - have your best driver try to put one in the fairway, then let everyone else try to bomb a lucky one

-2nd/3rd shot - Best ball striker try to get it close with a safe shot, then let the rest try for the hole

-Putting - worst putter goes first and best goes last to give the best idea of the line.

I have won my fair share of Scrambles and this recipe will assure you that you will not win. No offense but possibly the worst scramble advice ever.

 

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[JoshAndersonGolf 2,656]

For a scramble you need to just have fun. I never worry about winning these events.  They are purely fun and enjoy the day with your friends.

[Popeye64 540]

Obviously it will be fun with your buddies but everyone likes to compete.

 

On drives, get one out in play. Then have the following guys take aggressive swings to targets that will set up a good following shot. Dont let the big drivers in the bunch donate to the woods. Aggressive, but smart play.

 

On second shots a weaker player will be first but encourage him to club up. Almost every high HPer comes up a club short. With someone on or near the green then go not necessarily pin seeking but playing to the correct side of the hole.

 

For putting you want a better putter putting first. He will give everyone else the line and speed. Then your worst guy has a chance and then in order to the anchor.

 

Being in the fairway and in position to make a good run at a putt is the easiest way to score well. A lot of guys will really fudge a card but coming in with a real score the is in the - double digit range is a lot of fun.

These are really won on the putting surface. A long hitter will give the group a shot at an eagle or two but consistently being in correct position gives you the best chance to score... just like in real golf.

 

 

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[Jbmullin 781]

Never really worried about strategy until putting, will be pretty evident who the best putter is early, let a good putter go first to show the line then the rest and set it up for the closer.

 

I like the scramble format but never think about winning it as there is always a team of sandbaggers who comes in at some insanely low score, not going to beat them.

Last tourney I was at used handicaps for scoring, the team that won was -31 and there high handicapper stated they were a 22. they did not play like a 22.  

 

drink some beer and enjoy the round with buddies.  

[Brian A 1,001]

I have won my fair share of Scrambles and this recipe will assure you that you will not win. No offense but possibly the worst scramble advice ever.

 

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It was option 1 or 2 not both. It's won scrambles for me and friends before

 

 

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[Camcmart 839]

I think everyone's given pretty good advice. I've played in a few scrambles myself and it's always good to have a reliable golfer get a good shot out first and then let everyone else swing for the fences and try to stick it close.

 

For putting, it's a great idea to get someone to give everyone a good read on the line right off the bat, so at least a decent putter first for a good read and then a good anchor in case no one else can knock it in.

 

I can't tell you how many birdies I've missed out on because someone couldn't drain a putt to save their life.

 

 

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[poprocksncoke 1,338]

Always nice to have the first person putting at least get the ball to the hole to give the others a good read.

[Jdbourgeois 7]

If you're the best player tee off last. If one of them gets you in the fairway then you can unleash. If not, you can play it safe with a 3-wood or even an iron. Also putt last and help everyone read the putts. That's really the only strategy involved. The rest is to have a good time and shoot low

 

 

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[Kor.A.Door 5,838]

It always comes down to putting. You have to find a good order in putting. Depending on how the guys you have with you putt. You want the worst putter to go first, unless the guys just can't putt, the job of the first guy is to give good speed based on the read the group has given. The second guy is the next worst then the last 2 putters are the better putters, but no always.

I generally putt better as the last guy, I get 3 looks before I go, I have 2 brothers that are really good putters, so one goes first, because he like to read the line and find the speed on his own, the other one goes 3rd and I will go last. He hardest Part is finding a rotation that everyone is comfortable with, then go with that. If that isn't working, change it up. Always make sure that all 4 guys are watching the first putt, I hate when the first guy walks up and putts, and no one on the team is watching. So they have no idea what the putt is doing. Usually in these things there is always a ball that is in play, so driving and approach aren't as big, it's all about making putts.

[Nofear23 25]

, Have fun and give each other encouragement. Don't rag on guys who are playing bad and not contributing anything because I'm sure they feel shitty enough for not being a good teammate.

 

 

 

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[RoverRick 1,545]

I'm playing in a scramble tomorrow, and my main goal is to keep my teammate happy. Okay, so it is a couples scramble, and my teammate is my wife.   So this is a goal I try to live by everyday. Although it doesn't always work.

 

I don't play in lot's of scrambles, but when I do I usually go first. I'm by nature a fast player and standing around waiting for everyone to decide what club to hit and all of them trying to hit an 8 iron farther than everyone else, it breaks my rhythm. I also am not the longest hitter, but generally in the fairway and playable. We generally use some other drive, and I often play a very controlled shot onto the green and then let them take the hero shots at the flag.

 

Once on the green, I prefer to putt first because I usually either sink the first putt or at least get it with it within a few inches of the hole, giving everyone a good read. One year in an annual 6 man scramble I made 16 one putts and 14 in a row. We won that year.

 

The only advise I would give that hasn't been given is to have everyone putt even if the ball is in the hole. This is so that everyone stays attuned to the green speed.

 

Oh, and one more thing, never say "Come on buddy we really need this!" I had a 17" birdie putt one time and I was just about to go knock it in the hole and someone said that, and I became nervous. I made it but as I was walking up to it, I had no thought about missing it, but suddenly, I became afraid of missing it, after making putts from all over the green.

[palvord 3,538]

It's been covered pretty damn well for you, but putting is king. Most scrambles can find their way on the green in regulation. Find the best rotation for sinking putts.

 

Also, enjoy the friends and booze. That is the more important element to a scramble.

 

 

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