Scramble rules

[pulledabill]

If my ball is used off the tee, am I allowed to move the ball 1 club length (no closer to hole), or do I play as it lies with the players following me having the 1 club length allowance?  Is this the same greenside?  

[RickyBobby_PR]

Yes to both. Also just because the choice is to use your ball there isn’t a requirement you be the first to play so they others don’t technically have to be following you. The guys I used to play scrambles with would typically let the better go last and on approach shots the order depending on what the strategy for the hole was

[pulledabill]

3 minutes ago, RickyBobby_PR said:

Yes to both. Also just because the choice is to use your ball there isn’t a requirement you be the first to play so they others don’t technically have to be following you. The guys I used to play scrambles with would typically let the better go last and on approach shots the order depending on what the strategy for the hole was

Good point. 

[cnosil]

There really are no “official rules” for scrambles.    Ultimately the organizers of the scramble set the rules.    For example I have played in events that allowed the ball to be moved one club; however the lie(rough, bunker, green) must be the same as the selected shot. That said,  I’m past scrambles that I have played everyone can move the balL in accordance with the scramble rules.   

[hckymeyer]

I've never played in a scramble where you didn't get a club length to move it regardless of who hit it.  Like cnosil mentioned you just can't change the lie from one condition to another.  When you place the ball you should absolutely give yourself the best lie possible in the conditions you have though.  Most I play also gives you a putter head left or right on the greens.

We started a modified scramble at my course that is a little different.  Everyone tee's off, but then the same person isn't allowed to hit twice in a row.  So if we took my drive then I am not allowed to hit the next shot.  Then on the greens everyone putts except on the par 3's which each have a designated single putter based off handicap.  

If you ever have any questions on the format though it's just best to ask the organizers or the proshop before teeing off.

[TR1PTIK]

Like @cnosil pointed out, there really are no "rules" for a scramble format. Once a scoring format is selected (strokeplay, matchplay, stableford, etc.) you basically just abide by those rules to the extent it makes reasonable sense. It is not expected that every player will hit from the same exact spot as that could very well leave 3 out of 4 players hitting from a divot and the order in which you hit does not matter either. As @RickyBobby_PR suggested, a common strategy is to have the best player(s) in the group go last - this gives them the freedom to play more aggressively if the team already has a ball in play and allows them to get a better read on putts (usually).

[GolfRules Questions]

I created some adjustments that the Committee could adopt for an ambrose/scramble if they wished to.

https://golfisanattitude.com/scramble-golf/

[Golfspy_CG2]

Scrambles and rules.  Now that’s funny

[Middler]

Maybe I'm not grasping what the OP is asking. I've never played in a scramble where all players weren't allowed to move the ball some limited distance, e.g. one club length no closer, still in a hazard if applicable. It really wouldn't make sense if the selected ball landed in a divot, how would you force all players to hit from a divot? Or if player 1 hits, do players 2-4 place their ball in player 1's divot - could be pretty nasty by player 4. So everyone plays from within a club length no closer, and the chosen ball can be rolled over as well. That applies to all shots on the course including green side, with the exception of putting, where each player should putt from as close to the exact same spot as practical.

Like others have said, scrambles usually have stated rules, there's no USGA standard.

[GaDawg]

On 10/2/2021 at 2:38 PM, Golfspy_CG2 said:

Scrambles and rules.  Now that’s funny

I played with an acquaintance in a few scrambles and the only rule he had, was he drank a beer every hole and took a leak on every other hole.

[Kenny B]

4 hours ago, GaDawg said:

I played with an acquaintance in a few scrambles and the only rule he had, was he drank a beer every hole and took a leak on every other hole.

Must have been my old boss.  He played in the Spokane Handicap Invitational Tournament every year drinking a beer a hole.

[Golfspy_CG2]

On 10/8/2021 at 3:51 PM, Kenny B said:

Must have been my old boss.  He played in the Spokane Handicap Invitational Tournament every year drinking a beer a hole.

We had an outing out our course two years ago.  They told everyone to keep their empties in the basket of the cart as they would get to deduct 1 stroke for every 6 empty cans in the back.   yikes!! 

[tchat07]

On 10/2/2021 at 2:38 PM, Golfspy_CG2 said:

Scrambles and rules.  Now that’s funny

[Imp]

1 hour ago, Golfspy_CG2 said:

We had an outing out our course two years ago.  They told everyone to keep their empties in the basket of the cart as they would get to deduct 1 stroke for every 6 empty cans in the back.   yikes!! 

I'd pick out the trash cans. LOL

[bens197]

The best scramble rule that's been adopted by most everyone in Western, NY is the automatic 2 putt.  Hit the green in 2 on a 4, guaranteed par...give it a go for birdie.  

Helps with pace of play and offers the same advantage to all teams.

[revkev]

I just played in a scramble this weekend.  The rules were very simple, 1 club length for approach shots, 6 inches on the green, no closer to the hole, rough had to stay in rough, highest allowable score was bogey.

We had a side wager that included some additional stuff but that was on us - we weren't going to win the actual scramble with the team that we assembled that we did win our side bet which then rolled over to a double or nothing match play scramble at a different course on Sunday - that had a club pro playing two balls and choosing the best one from a back set of tees while we played a scramble from the senior tees. And we were allowed three call backs on his shots.  It was a 14 hole match because my friend lives off the 14th green and has the best home bar that you've ever seen.  

 

We closed him out on 13 3 and 1.  We then hit a tee shot on the par 3 15th closest to the pin for another carry over - man did he loose some money - 

[Bogeys ov]

So I have another question to add here... 

When playing a scramble, can you stand behind your partner when he's putting? Our opponent claimed "its not legal, look at rhe rules of golf" but nowhere in the rules of golf does it ever mention anything about a scramble! We didn't feel like arguing and moved on but I would like some clarity! 

 

[gophergutz]

1 hour ago, Bogeys ov said:

So I have another question to add here... 

When playing a scramble, can you stand behind your partner when he's putting? Our opponent claimed "its not legal, look at rhe rules of golf" but nowhere in the rules of golf does it ever mention anything about a scramble! We didn't feel like arguing and moved on but I would like some clarity! 

 

Read some of the earlier posts. There are no "rules" in scrambles other than those made by whoever's running it.

[gophergutz]

On 8/9/2021 at 2:00 PM, cnosil said:

There really are no “official rules” for scrambles.    Ultimately the organizers of the scramble set the rules.    For example I have played in events that allowed the ball to be moved one club; however the lie(rough, bunker, green) must be the same as the selected shot. That said,  I’m past scrambles that I have played everyone can move the balL in accordance with the scramble rules.   

 

On 8/9/2021 at 2:55 PM, hckymeyer said:

I've never played in a scramble where you didn't get a club length to move it regardless of who hit it.  Like cnosil mentioned you just can't change the lie from one condition to another.  When you place the ball you should absolutely give yourself the best lie possible in the conditions you have though.  Most I play also gives you a putter head left or right on the greens.

We started a modified scramble at my course that is a little different.  Everyone tee's off, but then the same person isn't allowed to hit twice in a row.  So if we took my drive then I am not allowed to hit the next shot.  Then on the greens everyone putts except on the par 3's which each have a designated single putter based off handicap.  

If you ever have any questions on the format though it's just best to ask the organizers or the proshop before teeing off.

Since there are no rules in a scramble except what's posted(?) by the organizers,,,,,,,, this one is a funny one as the ROG allow a player to take relief from the rough to the fairway. ROG recognizes no difference in those 2 areas. But for scrambles ? Yup.

In scrambles I've played in we use the same "stay in the same condition", not only for bunkers or penalty areas, but rough and fairway as well.

But according to the ROG, if you take relief from say, a sprinkler head just a foot into the rough you may be able to take it out into the fairway. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[Golfspy_CG2]

29 minutes ago, gophergutz said:

 

Since there are no rules in a scramble except what's posted(?) by the organizers,,,,,,,, this one is a funny one as the ROG allow a player to take relief from the rough to the fairway. ROG recognizes no difference in those 2 areas. But for scrambles ? Yup.

In scrambles I've played in we use the same "stay in the same condition", not only for bunkers or penalty areas, but rough and fairway as well.

But according to the ROG, if you take relief from say, a sprinkler head just a foot into the rough you may be able to take it out into the fairway. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

Yeah.  That is a funny (funny strange) thing about scrambled. They blatantly ignore all the rules of golf.   But hey get very picky on that 1 club length same “area” thing.  Go figure. 

[Javs]

46 minutes ago, gophergutz said:

Read some of the earlier posts. There are no "rules" in scrambles other than those made by whoever's running it.

I agree that scrambles only have rules as far as the people putting on the event. Plus, there are so many ways to play a scramble. Drive only then your own ball, step aside scramble, scramble but everyone must be used for 3 drives. The games are endless and usually just a fun day to hang out drink and socialize. 

Edited May 13, 2023 by Javs

[sharkfest]

Yeah really funnny. Also alot of scrambles at my club ignore the 25 20 15 10 rules and just give 10 percent of combined benefitting low handicappers

[Javs]

In my experience a lot of scrambles are geared to raise money for a charity or social events to get a bunch of people (many who rarely golf) around in a timely manner. 

[cnosil]

2 hours ago, Javs said:

In my experience a lot of scrambles are geared ... to get a bunch of people (many who rarely golf) around in a timely manner. 

I don't play a lot of scrambles,  but I have never seen the get people around in a timely manner aspect you are referring too.   

 

[RickyBobby_PR]

2 hours ago, Javs said:

In my experience a lot of scrambles are geared to raise money for a charity or social events to get a bunch of people (many who rarely golf) around in a timely manner. 

There’s no timely manner in scrambles. They all take way longer than a regular round of golf

[gophergutz]

5 minutes ago, RickyBobby_PR said:

There’s no timely manner in scrambles. They all take way longer than a regular round of golf

That's not entirely true.

If you've got players who really don't play much, they'll be pretty bad, but then again, all they do is hit a lousy shot and then play someone else's ball. I mean, nobody has to chase and play their bad shots. Hit one in the woods, take a quick look and move on.

I play in a regular scramble, no "gimmicks", min/max, etc. on Saturdays, and, in season, when the course is crowded, we're always waiting for regular groups.

Only time a scramble should be slower than normal is when there are "gimmicks". Strings, mulligans, etc. and teams wasting a lot of time trying to decide who does what, and where. And often(?), during those charity scrambles, they take up the entire course with a shotgun start and start 2 groups on every tee. For those, good luck with finishing in less than 5.5 hours.

[Javs]

1 hour ago, cnosil said:

I don't play a lot of scrambles,  but I have never seen the get people around in a timely manner aspect you are referring too.   

 

Timely is not meant in relation to normal golf. I was referring to people that play once or twice a year. They show up for scrambles. Yes, it takes longer than we are used to, but better than if they played their own ball for 18. So, it is a net savings on time.

Edited May 13, 2023 by Javs

[funkyjudge]

59 minutes ago, RickyBobby_PR said:

There’s no timely manner in scrambles. They all take way longer than a regular round of golf

ABSOLUTELY! That is but one reason why I rarely play in scrambles.  If it is a charity or philanthropic organization that I believe in, I would rather write them a $100-$125 check than play in the scramble for their benefit.

[Javs]

1 hour ago, RickyBobby_PR said:

There’s no timely manner in scrambles. They all take way longer than a regular round of golf

Not always true. I play in a Tuesday group with all single digit and low double digit handicaps. We often pick two man teams and play in three or four foursomes. It’s a two man scramble. We can play in under three hours if we have no one in front of us. It is a fun twist on a weekly game. 

Edited May 13, 2023 by Javs

[RickyBobby_PR]

1 hour ago, gophergutz said:

That's not entirely true.

If you've got players who really don't play much, they'll be pretty bad, but then again, all they do is hit a lousy shot and then play someone else's ball. I mean, nobody has to chase and play their bad shots. Hit one in the woods, take a quick look and move on.

I play in a regular scramble, no "gimmicks", min/max, etc. on Saturdays, and, in season, when the course is crowded, we're always waiting for regular groups.

Only time a scramble should be slower than normal is when there are "gimmicks". Strings, mulligans, etc. and teams wasting a lot of time trying to decide who does what, and where. And often(?), during those charity scrambles, they take up the entire course with a shotgun start and start 2 groups on every tee. For those, good luck with finishing in less than 5.5 hours.

The typical scramble is 1-2 groups on every hole and no gimmicks is 5.5/- hours

small scramble groups can’t be compared to a typical scramble 

33 minutes ago, Javs said:

Timely is not meant in relation to normal golf. I was referring to people that play once or twice a year. They show up for scrambles. Yes, it takes longer than we are used to, but better than if they played their own ball for 18. So, it is a net savings on time.

I play with those who only play a couple times a year and have no problem maintaining pace of play.

Ive been paired with random golfers who also only get out a few times a year. Never had a pace of play issue on courses that are strict about sticking to pace of play.

Generalizing occasional golfers is silly