Playing in a scramble
 

So it's finally summer and I'm starting to play in a few scrambles for various favorite charities in the region. Part of me says go enjoy the weather, sunshine, and have a good day AND it's all for charity. The competitive side of me says how the hell do 4 guys who's handicap range from 10-23 put up a score that is respectable, and do I dare say place. Hoping the collective knowledge of THP can help. So give me your key points for placing at a scramble. Assuming we play from the blue tee's it plays at 6289 yds with a rating/slope of 71.2/134.

A lot of the charity scrambles that I play in are flighted so higher handicap teams have a chance too. Maybe that will be the case for you!

Just cheat!

Hehehehe. That was a joke, btw. Please don't sick TST guys on me :)

I'm playing in one next month. I'm doing it to spend the day with a family member. The best part is that I may end up being the best golfer in the group. That never happens!

A lot of the scrambles I play in, I guarantee there is cheating! It's really not fair for the teams who play well who don't get a chance to even place. It happened to me in a scramble recently. And sometimes my experiences have been when you play with people you don't know, most of the time it's not fun. I also only play in scrambles where I am scholarshipped in because some are so expensive!

I played in a two day, three man scramble this past weekend. We shot lights out the first day and not so well the second. That was upsetting as most of the sandbaggers did the opposite. As KellyBo said, most scrambles that I have been in are flighted which means even if you can't place in the championship flight, you may have a shot at the 2nd or 3rd. I find it hard to get into a rhythm in scrambles, but they are still enjoyable for the most part.

I was just gonna say that! haha

I love playing in scrambles! They are always a good time if you know all the guys in your foursome i think it makes it a lot more enjoyable! Couple things i usually do when we play is i let the worst players hit first. i am usually always the longest driver in the foursome so once i know there is 1 shot thats in the fairway or safe everyone else can just let it rip or go for the flag on every shot. i usually lose a lot of balls in scrambles because i end up cutting corners or trying to crush them so i try not to use my good balls on those shots so i save some money. Also i usually see how are are doing after 4 or 5 holes and if i don't think we are gonna win i immediately start drinking heavily cause if you can't win you might as well have a good time! lol

Just gotta remember there are four guys playing and somebody is bound to hit a good shot, keep your spirits up and just remember its all for a good cause. Win or lose, there is always a raffle! Joking obviously, but really just go out there and enjoy yourself. The best method I have always found to do decent in a scramble is to have 2 guys that have good long game off the tees and two guys that have good approach game and can knock them down on the green.

I've played in several scrambles this year, none of which were flighted. :(
Winning scores have always been 52-54, to which I thought could only be the result of teams cheating... Until the most recent scramble I played in. Team of 8/12/17/22 hcs, we somehow managed to shoot a 54 to win by one stroke... without fudging our scores or any rules.

But anyways, if you form a team of one or two long ball hitters, one or two pitching/chipping wizards, and one ridiculously good putter, then you have a solid chance at placing.

Otherwise... enjoy it. Have a good time!

Here is a novel Idea. Why not split the 4somes in to 2 man teams that play with other 2 man teams. Then when the round is over take the better score of the 2 (4some) teams on each hole. That would help curb the cheating.

Has anyone played in a tournament this?

I love and hate scrambles all in one. The last few I've played in there didn't appear to be any cheating and we placed 2nd. I love playing with 2 or 3 guys I know who are around the same skill level but it is definitely tough to get in a groove. This year I became the "putter" and only used what was absolutely necessary regarding tee shots and usually its quite the opposite.

All in all you should have a lot of fun if you know the guys you're playing with. And if your skillsets setup with one all around respectable game then you guys could and should fare pretty well.

Good luck and have fun!

I played in a scramble last thursday. I shot HORRIBLY...but I got shots in when it mattered so I was happy. Just have fun with it and don't stress to much. Stressing on it can make you shoot bad (see shooting horribly before hehehe). Our tournament was sort of flighted, with 2 divisions. We took second in our division, with a 61. I had such a good time and it was a charity event, so for a good cause. so all in all....play golf and have fun! Lot worst you could do with your time. http://www.thehackersparadise.com/fo...es/biggrin.png

KellyBo/Schweitzer_07/Checkered - Unfortunately, I don't think it's flighted. They haven't asked for anyone's handicaps, so technically a team could be stacked w/ low handicappers.

Hawk/Smallville - If I really have to I have resorted to drag putting a nice 10-15 footer. ; -)

Toddo - I know what you mean. Last year another scramble I was on we shot -12 and didn't even place. This was the best scramble I have every played in and we didn't even sniff placing. Funny thing, we ended winning both the long drive and closest to the pin.

Buckjob/Couch/dtak84/Spaceman_spiff - I'm playing with folks from my golf league so we know each other's game. I am the designated safety guy and the 3 others are the bombers. Just need someone to be on fire w/ pitching/chipping tomorrow. As for putting the 4 of us are good but not great. Hopefully, we all eat our Wheaties and put on a good show.

Brock - I am interested in hearing more ...
Thanks folks for all the feedback!

good luck! and just have fun thats why most of us are playing anyway!

This would take away the whole idea of a four man scramble. A couple of months ago, I actually played in a 4 man scramble where we played the entire round with another team. We traded score cards, and both teams knew how many mulligans the other team had. We also finished the round in 4.5 hrs. That's the format I would like in every 4-man scramble tournament.

And what's wrong with that? Are you not supposed to? hehehe

I played in a scramble where you were assigned 3 guys to play with (I suppose you couold take 3 friends and do the same thing). You are player AThe first 6 holes you are teamed with player B. The next 6 holes you are teamed with player C and the next 6 you are teamed with player D. So everyone has their own score in a modified two man scramble.

Some of the courses around here do handicap or flight the scramble by drawing nine holes and using those to determine what flight the team is in. So if your bad holes are drawn you get an advantage especially if you score well on the holes that aren't drawn since the 18 hole score determines the winner within flights. (The holes drawn are not revealed until play is finished.)

You joke but it really happens out there. I play only for the fact it is a worthy cause, and to hang with friends....