The scramble is the most social format in golf: you play in teams, you take the best ball on every shot, and a bad shot costs almost nothing. It’s the perfect format for getting started in competition, and it’s used in many Pro-Am events. Here are the standard rules, the 2-player and 4-player variations, how to calculate the team handicap, and the strategy for saving strokes.
What is a scramble in golf?
A scramble is a team format. On each hole, all players on the team hit their balls from the tee. The team then selects the best ball, and each player plays their next shot from that spot. This process is repeated until a ball goes into the hole.
The team records only one score per hole: the number of “selected” strokes. If the best ball is on the green on the second shot and a player makes the putt, the team scores 3, regardless of how many shots were taken. The score is recorded on a single scorecard On behalf of the entire team.
How does a scramble hole work?
Let's take a par-4 hole played by a team of four:
- The start: All four players hit their drives. Two balls are in the rough, one is short, and one is in the middle of the fairway. The team chooses the one on the fairway.
- The second shot: Each player places his or her ball near the chosen spot and plays toward the green. The best ball comes to rest 16 feet from the flag.
- The putt: All four players putt from this spot. As soon as a putt goes in, the hole is finished. The team scores a 3—a birdie.
The player whose ball was selected may also play again from his or her own spot. He or she simply does not need to replace the ball.
What are the rules of a scramble?
The scramble is not a format defined in the Official Rules of Golf: each tournament sets its own conditions in its rules. However, the same principles are found almost everywhere.
| Location | General rule | Things to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Fairway or rough | Place the ball one scorecard length away from the selected ball | Get closer to the hole |
| Change of Zone | Stay on the same type of terrain: rough if the selected ball is in the rough | Getting from the rough to the fairway |
| Bunker | Place the ball in the same bunker, in accordance with the tournament rules | Getting the ball out of the bunker |
| Green | Place the ball about one putter head's length from the marker, no closer to the hole | Changing your putting line |
Before playing, the team marks the location of the selected ball with a tee or a ball marker. Each player then places their ball next to that mark. The details vary from one event to another: if in doubt, ask the committee before the first hole.
The minimum number of drives per player
To prevent the team’s best hitter from taking all the tee shots, many tournaments require a minimum number of drives per player—for example, three or four over 18 holes in a four-ball scramble. The exact number is specified in the tournament rules. Keep track throughout the round of which drives were selected: this is a detail that’s often overlooked, and it becomes difficult to keep track of on the final holes.
2-player vs. 4-player Scramble: What Are the Differences?
The 4-Person Scramble is the most common format for club days, corporate tournaments, and Pro-Am events. With four balls per shot, scores are often very low and the atmosphere is relaxed.
The 2-Person Scramble is more challenging: with only two balls, it can happen that both shots are bad. Each player must therefore play more for the team. There are also 3-person scrambles, which follow the same principles.
How do you calculate the team handicap in a scramble?
There is no one-size-fits-all formula: it is determined by the event’s rules. The World Handicap System (WHS) provides recommended percentages, which many clubs adopt:
- 4-player scramble: 25% of the lowest handicap, 20% of the second-lowest, 15% of the third-lowest, and 10% of the highest, added together.
- 2-Person Scramble: 35% of the lowest handicap and 15% of the highest.
Example for a team of four with handicaps of 8, 14, 20, and 28: 2 + 2.8 + 3 + 2.8 = 10.6, or approximately 11 strokes allowed to the team over 18 holes. Other events use a simpler formula, such as one-tenth of the sum of the handicaps, or cap each player’s handicap. Read the event sheet: the formula is always specified there.
What strategy should you use in a scramble?
The starting order
Have the most consistent player tee off first. Once the ball is in play on the fairway, the longest hitters can take more risks and go for distance. If the first drive is off, the second player should play it safe instead. The safe drive then becomes a real asset, as shown by Brooks Koepka with its “fairway finder.”.
Choose the right ball, not the one that goes the farthest
The longest drive isn't always the best. A good lie on the fairway at 130 yards is often better than a ball in thick rough at 100 yards. Also keep in mind the importance of placement on the drive: if a player still needs to prove his driving ability, choose his shot as soon as it’s decent, without waiting until the final holes.
Who is the putter?
Let the player who feels least comfortable—or the one who’s used to judging the distance well—use the putter first. The others watch the line and speed of that player’s putt. The best putter goes last, with all the information. On long putts, the first player must above all judge the distance well: their putt serves as a reference for those who follow, and the one that ends up closest offers a second chance.
Scramble, greensome, and Chapman: Don't Confuse Them
- The Scramble: All players play every shot from the best ball until the hole.
- The Greensome: Both players start from the tee; they choose the best ball, then take turns playing it until they reach the hole.
- Chapman: Both players start from the tee; each plays their second shot with their partner's ball, then one ball is chosen, and they finish by taking turns.
Greensome and Chapman are played in pairs and require more consistency, since each ball selected must be played by a single player.
The scramble, the premier format of Pro-Am tournaments
Pro-Am tournaments bring together a professional player and amateurs on the same team. The scramble format is very often used: it lets everyone play, moves the game along quickly, and produces attractive scores. It’s also a chance to see up close how a pro chooses his shots. Find the dates in our Golf Pro-Am Schedule.
Video Lessons to Help You Excel at Scramble
Brooks Koepka's Safety Drive: The Fairway FinderBrooks Koepka · 10 min
Céline Boutier's Course Management, from the Tee to the GreenCéline Boutier · 22 min
Scoring from Inside 100 Yards with Tiger Woods and Nelly KordaNelly Korda · 16 min
Viktor Hovland's Speed Control for Long PutsViktor Hovland · 2 minTo learn more, browse through all video lessons on course management, or sign up for the free program Master the Mental Game in 7 Steps.
The other major format of club play—which is more intense because you play hole by hole against an opponent—is match play.
Frequently Asked Questions About Scramble
Do you have to finish each hole with your own ball?
No. In a scramble, the hole ends as soon as a ball from the team goes in the hole. The other players don't need to finish.
Can you get closer to the hole by repositioning your ball?
No. The ball must be placed near the chosen spot, generally within one scorecard length, never closer to the hole, and on the same type of ground.
Does the scramble count toward the handicap?
No. The scramble is a team format: the scores you earn do not count toward your individual handicap.
Can a beginner play a scramble?
Yes, that's actually the best way to get a feel for the competition. Every good shot helps the team, and the missed shots are simply forgotten.