In a scramble, all team members tee off. The team chooses the preferred shot, then every member plays the next stroke from the permitted area near that spot. The process repeats until the ball is holed.
Scrambles are social and beginner-friendly, but there is no single universal set of competition conditions. The organiser decides team size, handicap allowance and any minimum number of drives.
How a hole is played
- 01
All four players tee off.
- 02
The team chooses the best-positioned drive.
- 03
Each player plays from the defined area near that spot.
- 04
The team again chooses one result and repeats until holed.
Check the competition conditions
- How close each replacement ball must be placed or dropped.
- Whether the original lie must be preserved.
- Minimum drives per player.
- Team handicap calculation.
- Whether a tap-in can be holed before other players attempt the previous putt.
Simple team strategy
Use a safe ball first before taking greater risks. Choose the shot that leaves the best next position, not automatically the longest one. On the green, an early putt that reaches the hole gives the remaining players useful information.
The essential point
A scramble uses one selected team position after every stroke. Read the event conditions carefully because placement, handicap and drive requirements vary.
Sources
The following official or specialist sources were used to verify this independently written guide.
- USGA – official guidance Source used to verify the rules or factual information in this guide.
- The R&A – official guidance Source used to verify the rules or factual information in this guide.
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