Now I see why it’s great to have.

[PoeKingShankspeare]

I played in a scramble format few days ago, and one of my friend is long hitter. Likewise, a very good golfer too.

 

Well, I hit some good long (for me) fairway finding tee shots - I don’t hit long, anywhere from 230’s to 260’s. But, My long tee shots were out driven by my friend, and since it’s a scramble format, we used his ball. Many times in the round I had used my wedges (except 60*) and my 9i for our approaches, much higher percentage shots from what I’m used to seeing.

 

I can see my GIR% go up if I can add 15-20 yards. And shortening the par 5’s making it reachable was a bonus. 

 

 

[Murphy76]

 

This is one of the many reasons I love playing in a scramble event.  I get to play with people who are way better than me, and I get to hit shots from where I would usually never be.  It could be called 'Vicarious Golf'.  

 

Plus, everyone gets a chance to be a hero.  The 27+ handicap could chip in from 30+ out, and save the day.  I've played many charity team scrambles, and unless the captain is an unterly egotistical a******, the format is the most fun ever.  

 

This year I played a team scramble with a woman who was 86.  She couldn't drive or approach.   But she killed it putting.  She saved our bacon so many times.  We din't win, (or come that close) but who cares?  I don't need a shiny piece of gold plastic on my mantle to prove I had a great experience.   

 

Not to get too sentimental, but Golf has so many 'teachable moments' in life.-  From never judging a book by its' cover, to being friendly and decent to all the people you meet there-  From groundskeeper to pro.  

 

The scramble format can amplify those lessons.   

 

 

 

 

Just don't drink too much........  

Edited October 27, 2021 by Murphy76

[PoeKingShankspeare]

16 minutes ago, Murphy76 said:

 

This is one of the many reasons I love playing in a scramble event.  I get to play with people who are way better than me, and I get to hit shots from where I would usually never be.  It could be called 'Vicarious Golf'.  

 

Plus, everyone gets a chance to be a hero.  The 27+ handicap could chip in from 30+ out, and save the day.  I've played many charity team scrambles, and unless the captain is an unterly egotistical a******, the format is the most fun ever.  

 

This year I played a team scramble with a woman who was 86.  She couldn't drive or approach.   But she killed it putting.  She saved our bacon so many times.  We din't win, (or come that close) but who cares?  I don't need a shiny piece of gold plastic on my mantle to prove I had a great experience.   

 

Not to get too sentimental, but Golf has so many 'teachable moments' in life.-  From never judging a book by its' cover, to being friendly and decent to all the people you meet there-  From groundskeeper to pro.  

 

The scramble format can amplify those lessons.   

 

 

 

 

Just don't drink too much........  

few months ago I played a fundraiser scramble event. I paired up with 3 players with one newbie golfer. Two women filled the team. They depended on my a lot, but I was struggling with my putting at the time - still do at times. Anyway, she made most of the crucial putts and the newbie holed out a chip for birdie. He was so stoked which was great to see.

[BlackDiamondPar5]

1 hour ago, PoeKingShankspeare said:

I played in a scramble format few days ago, and one of my friend is long hitter. Likewise, a very good golfer too.

 

Well, I hit some good long (for me) fairway finding tee shots - I don’t hit long, anywhere from 230’s to 260’s. But, My long tee shots were out driven by my friend, and since it’s a scramble format, we used his ball. Many times in the round I had used my wedges (except 60*) and my 9i for our approaches, much higher percentage shots from what I’m used to seeing.

 

I can see my GIR% go up if I can add 15-20 yards. And shortening the par 5’s making it reachable was a bonus. 

 

 

Or you could just move up a set of tees 🙂

[LBB]

1 hour ago, BlackDiamondPar5 said:

Or you could just move up a set of tees 🙂

For me, distance isn't the problem...I need 100 yard wide fairways, 50 yard wide and deep greens, and holes the size of a 50 gallon trash can.

[LeftDaddy]

9 hours ago, PoeKingShankspeare said:

I played in a scramble format few days ago, and one of my friend is long hitter. Likewise, a very good golfer too.

 

Well, I hit some good long (for me) fairway finding tee shots - I don’t hit long, anywhere from 230’s to 260’s. But, My long tee shots were out driven by my friend, and since it’s a scramble format, we used his ball. Many times in the round I had used my wedges (except 60*) and my 9i for our approaches, much higher percentage shots from what I’m used to seeing.

 

I can see my GIR% go up if I can add 15-20 yards. And shortening the par 5’s making it reachable was a bonus. 

 

 

Don’t you know it is impossible to drive it long and also drive it straight?  It is much better to drive it 230. That way you’ll always guarantee a fairway hit, and you’ll be able to compete with tour pros. 
 

(If you can’t tell, I’m being facetious…there is another 17 page ridiculous thread or whatever on this very topic…anyway, it’s only a matter of time before someone comes on your thread and tells you more distance is a bad thing lol)

[MattM97]

That's why my buddies love playing with me especially in Shamble tournaments because suddenly they have anywhere from 1-4 clubs less into the green and with their approach game are now at an advantage over me. 

[RmoorePE]

That is why I like the Shamble tournaments as well. I always think "This is what my score would be if I could drive it straight." My teammates typically hit it about as far as me, but I only hit 5 fairways a round if I am lucky.

[llewol007]

I love scramble formats. I am usually the guy who is expected to drive it a long ways and most of the time I do. The great thing is that the other players in the group feel more relaxed and they have a great time playing the round. I have played in events with my buddy who is not quite as long as I am but hits the fairway about 80% of the time. That to me is a green light special to swing for the fences.  I switches the tables on me and gives me less pressure as well making the game that much better for the group. Best combination is two guys who can hit it long with high percentage of Fairways hit. You pair that up with guys who can just flat out putt and you are golden. Now to say that we will hit some of the scores that I see at scrambles boggles my mind. When you come in with a low score and some group turns in a card and shoots 54, makes you think. 

Edited October 30, 2021 by llewol007

[aenemated]

Played in a scramble a couple years ago with some old buddies, one of whom was drafted out of college by the Braves ... but wrecked his knee in the minors and had to call it quits.

 

Think of the most stereotypical MLB power hitter build and that's my guy. We had a softball team at the company we used to work for and everyone hated playing us because he took it yard at literally every single at bat ... we started every game with a 4 or 5 run advantage before a single pitch haha. 

 

Anyway. Dude was a terrible golfer but every so often, the stars would align and he'd crank some like 350+ yard bomb out there off the tee. If you've seen that vid of Mike Trout at Top Golf, that's pretty much what it looked like.

 

Sure was fun hitting a PW into a couple par 5s. 😂

 

 

[Pepperturbo]

I've played in many 4-man scramble events.  Not always the longest team member, but always the one to put the ball out-there, in the fairway and find the green to putt.

 

Distance off the tee is what everyone wishes for.  But we have to deal with reality.  Being in the fairway off the tee is better, and having the 2nd iron shot is best.   Then there's this reality, plenty guys are longer than me, but they are seldom in the fairway, and rarely have the 2nd shot from the junk.   In team events, my goal has always been to be the captain choosing the team, and the one the team can count on to find the fairway and find the green when the pressure is on.

[Moonlightgrm]

On 10/26/2021 at 11:14 PM, Murphy76 said:

 

This is one of the many reasons I love playing in a scramble event.  I get to play with people who are way better than me, and I get to hit shots from where I would usually never be.  It could be called 'Vicarious Golf'.  

 

Plus, everyone gets a chance to be a hero.  The 27+ handicap could chip in from 30+ out, and save the day.  I've played many charity team scrambles, and unless the captain is an unterly egotistical a******, the format is the most fun ever.  

 

This year I played a team scramble with a woman who was 86.  She couldn't drive or approach.   But she killed it putting.  She saved our bacon so many times.  We din't win, (or come that close) but who cares?  I don't need a shiny piece of gold plastic on my mantle to prove I had a great experience.   

 

Not to get too sentimental, but Golf has so many 'teachable moments' in life.-  From never judging a book by its' cover, to being friendly and decent to all the people you meet there-  From groundskeeper to pro.  

 

The scramble format can amplify those lessons.   

 

 

 

 

Just don't drink too much........  

Simply move up a set of tees or two and enjoy this bonus every time you play golf. My club has five sets of tees ranging from 7,100 yards to 5,500 yards. 

[Roody]

As most players here probably have, I've had both ends of the spectrum when it comes to playing in scrambles. Earlier this season I did a fundraiser scramble where they had me tee off first as the "safe guy". I can hit the ball about 240-260, not crazy distance, but ok. That day I think I maybe missed two fairways all day...

 

We used NONE of my drives. I was striking it off the tee great, and not one drive used. 

 

Everyone in my group could hit longer than me, and we had one guy who was a former D1 athlete who absolutely murdered it off the tee. I measured one of his drives with my SkyCaddie, and it was 320 yards. He occasionally lacks some control, but having me tee off and get us in the middle of the fairway freed everyone else up to just grip it and rip it. We went -15, and never had to stress for anything worse than par.

 

Then there's the opposite end of the spectrum. My father in-law and two of his 70+ year-old friends asked me to join them for a scramble. They were bragging that I'd be the "ringer". The strategy was since none of them can drive the ball over 200 yards, that I'd tee last and be the "big hitter" (which is a bit of a LOL, but everything in golf is relative). 

 

I think we probably used 80% of my shots that day. We went -1, and there were 2-3 bogies on the card. Pars weren't always stress-free. 

[PoeKingShankspeare]

On 11/1/2021 at 5:35 AM, Roody said:

As most players here probably have, I've had both ends of the spectrum when it comes to playing in scrambles. Earlier this season I did a fundraiser scramble where they had me tee off first as the "safe guy". I can hit the ball about 240-260, not crazy distance, but ok. That day I think I maybe missed two fairways all day...

 

We used NONE of my drives. I was striking it off the tee great, and not one drive used. 

 

Everyone in my group could hit longer than me, and we had one guy who was a former D1 athlete who absolutely murdered it off the tee. I measured one of his drives with my SkyCaddie, and it was 320 yards. He occasionally lacks some control, but having me tee off and get us in the middle of the fairway freed everyone else up to just grip it and rip it. We went -15, and never had to stress for anything worse than par.

 

Then there's the opposite end of the spectrum. My father in-law and two of his 70+ year-old friends asked me to join them for a scramble. They were bragging that I'd be the "ringer". The strategy was since none of them can drive the ball over 200 yards, that I'd tee last and be the "big hitter" (which is a bit of a LOL, but everything in golf is relative). 

 

I think we probably used 80% of my shots that day. We went -1, and there were 2-3 bogies on the card. Pars weren't always stress-free. 

I have a Very similar experience in this year's scrambles, only in reverse. With my first team/event, I was the main guy...  in the second event I wasn’t that guy. I played well off the tee and all day, but we had a +2 which he shortened most of the holes and a player who putts very well too..

[Long_Left]

Two recent scrambles here, in the first we had a couple 4s who can move it decent but not "long" (110-115ish driver speed) and a 7 who is super steady, and a 10 who is streaky. Our second 4 had a cancelled flight and we picked up a "kid from the shop" who hits it a ton (180-185 ball speed on a "normal" swing, +4 before recently going pro) and does not miss... We shot an "easy" 59 and lost by 5... As the "second best" player in the group, we used maybe 5 of my full swings, everyone made a few putts. It was impressive to watch, he'd have shot 4 or 5 under on his own ball...

 

In the second, I played with my mid 70s (age not score) father who just got back into golf about 2 years ago after 50 years away from the game, my wife and my two young daughters. Thankfully it was a VERY low key event and a "par is your friend" format to keep pace appropriate. I made 3 birdies that day and we shot an easy 69 🤣 

[mdmack]

Length is certainly helpful and scrambles are certainly fun. Ill take a group of athletic double digits over a group of single digits all day every day in a scramble. It takes the strengths of everyone's game and basically eliminates "blow up holes" that most double digit caps have. You get a few natural athletes and remove their worst shots then let them buy some mulligans on top of giving them back strokes at the end of the round and that a recipe to shoot LOW. 

[Golferpaul]

I played in a one man scramble.  I was a 8.6 index at the time and shot 2 under par.  It was a huge amount of fun knowing that anytime you hit a bad shot you could try it again.

[phizzy30]

Length means having shorter irons into the green which translates into closer to the hole proximity which means more chances for birdies or better.  It's that simple.  Been playing more money games and tournaments lately as I have joined a private cc earlier this year.  I'm usually the longest off the tee and of course my playing partners love having me tee off as much as possible.  There's a member's kid I play with on the regular who makes 190 ball speed in his sleep and another younger member who used to be a professional ball room dancer who are both longer than me.  Love playing with these guys.  I usually have a 6 iron or less into the par 5's depending on wind and temp but these guys have 8 iron and in on those holes.  I'm a 5 cap, the kid is +3 and the ex-pro dancer is a 2.  It's good to be long. 

Edited November 4, 2021 by phizzy30

[Steele47]

On 10/26/2021 at 8:14 PM, Murphy76 said:

 

This is one of the many reasons I love playing in a scramble event.  I get to play with people who are way better than me, and I get to hit shots from where I would usually never be.  It could be called 'Vicarious Golf'.  

 

Plus, everyone gets a chance to be a hero.  The 27+ handicap could chip in from 30+ out, and save the day.  I've played many charity team scrambles, and unless the captain is an unterly egotistical a******, the format is the most fun ever.  

 

This year I played a team scramble with a woman who was 86.  She couldn't drive or approach.   But she killed it putting.  She saved our bacon so many times.  We din't win, (or come that close) but who cares?  I don't need a shiny piece of gold plastic on my mantle to prove I had a great experience.   

 

Not to get too sentimental, but Golf has so many 'teachable moments' in life.-  From never judging a book by its' cover, to being friendly and decent to all the people you meet there-  From groundskeeper to pro.  

 

The scramble format can amplify those lessons.   

 

 

 

 

Just don't drink too much........  

 

Murph.  I generally do not like your posts at all.   But this one is spot on!

 

(completely kidding aside from the 'spot on' part)

[Murphy76]

17 hours ago, Steele47 said:

 

Murph.  I generally do not like your posts at all.   But this one is spot on!

 

(completely kidding aside from the 'spot on' part)

 

Ummmm, .....Thanks?   

 

Your sister is a beautiful girl, except for her face.  lol

Edited November 20, 2021 by Murphy76

[Barfolomew]

We used to play in a annual 2 day 4 person scramble at that fancy Marriott Hotel in Palm Springs..... prob the most fun we had at a golf course, drinks plus very competitive with live leader board and way too much yelling..... miss those tourneys 🦆

[llewol007]

And yet you didn’t have a winning score because some random group that rarely plays happen to shoot a 54. Crazy how scrambles work. 😂😂😂😂

[OnTheBag]

This past summer, we played in a best ball for a veterans charity.  We had a last minute cancelation (my 70 year old buddy was having heart problems) so my old boss decided to play.  So our 4some is made up of 3 low single cappers and a 15+ year LPGA member.  We carded a 55 and raised a bunch of money for a worthy cause.  

 

Standing around eating lunch, they started putting scores on the board and this group of youngsters (that no one knew) posted a 49.  No way....not on that course.  Why do people feel the need to cheat at an event like this.  As someone said above, it is a gold plated piece of plastic.  Makes me really worry about society.   

Edited December 25, 2021 by OnTheBag

[Thomas Brack]

I saw the same increase in GIR percentage the only issue is I still can’t putt

[jackmfarrow]

If your drives increase by 30 yds, your irons are likely gonna increase to. What you’d be hitting into greens could change by as much as 3 clubs. HUGE difference 

[Golferpaul]

On 12/24/2021 at 8:33 PM, OnTheBag said:

This past summer, we played in a best ball for a veterans charity.  We had a last minute cancelation (my 70 year old buddy was having heart problems) so my old boss decided to play.  So our 4some is made up of 3 low single cappers and a 15+ year LPGA member.  We carded a 55 and raised a bunch of money for a worthy cause.  

 

Standing around eating lunch, they started putting scores on the board and this group of youngsters (that no one knew) posted a 49.  No way....not on that course.  Why do people feel the need to cheat at an event like this.  As someone said above, it is a gold plated piece of plastic.  Makes me really worry about society.   

The charity events I play in have changed their prize rules.  They now combine five foursomes into one team (blind draw) and the 20 winners get a logo glass.  All of the money goes to the charity event.   Now there is no reason for anybody to cheat.

[betarhoalphadelta]

One of my buddies was playing in a scramble and they had a VERY good female golfer on their team. Like "250 down the middle regularly" level very good. 

 

Because of the rules of that scramble, she could tee off from the ladies' tee while they were teeing off farther away. 

 

Yeah, they used her drives all day lol 😉 

 

[MtlJeff]

It's interesting because depending on the course, it can be a blessing and a curse. In my younger years i was a gorilla and could drive it 300+ pretty regularly. But on a tree lined 6700yd course it's almost like having a ferrari in a heavily policed area. Like its great, but you'll lose your license at some point

 

I played in a modified alternate shot now with a guy who drives like 320 (i'm more in the 260 range) and all i did all day was hit 60yd wedges LOL....it was great. But he drove it great that day. I've played with him other days where he can get into trouble.

 

In tournaments this year, i think i probably 25 or so real tournament rounds. I don't think i lost more than 2-3 balls combined. Not surprising i had one of my best years ever. 

 

Sometimes being "long enough" is all you really need, though this is course dependant