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The "Scramble"

One of the more popular forms of stroke play competition, at least in the USA, is the "scramble". Three or four person teams compete against other teams. Each player on a team plays a tee shot, the team decides which is the better ball, and then each player plays their next shot from that point, and so forth until a ball is holed out. It is interesting to me that "scramble" is not included in the USGA Rules of golf. Under forms of stroke play, all I see listed are:
Forms of Stroke Play

Individual: A competition in which each competitor plays as an individual.

Foursome: A competition in which two competitors play as partners and play one ball.

Four-Ball: A competition in which two competitors play as partners, each playing his own ball. The lower score

of the partners is the score for the hole. If one partner fails to complete the play of the hole, there is no penalty.

Am I missing something here? It would seem to me the USGA either ignores this form of stroke play competition or has just failed to keep up with the times.

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Comments (6)
	heartotexas 10/10/2008 10:54:24 AM Well I certainly agree that a scramble violates some very basic rules of golf, ie. playing the ball as it lies, individuals holing out etc. Because it is SO prevalent in the US, it would seem advantageous to all for the USGA to address it and to address some of the rules which should be applied in scrambles. For instance, playing the best ball, should include a stipulation that other players playing from the "best ball" location must attempt to apply the same type of lie and within a foot or so of the ball chosen to play. Im sure there are some other rules, which would eliminate the "scramble cheaters" who seem to always win with a 55, 56, or 57.
	heartotexas 10/10/2008 10:54:24 AM Well I certainly agree that a scramble violates some very basic rules of golf, ie. playing the ball as it lies, individuals holing out etc. Because it is SO prevalent in the US, it would seem advantageous to all for the USGA to address it and to address some of the rules which should be applied in scrambles. For instance, playing the best ball, should include a stipulation that other players playing from the "best ball" location must attempt to apply the same type of lie and within a foot or so of the ball chosen to play. Im sure there are some other rules, which would eliminate the "scramble cheaters" who seem to always win with a 55, 56, or 57.
	FRFernando 10/9/2008 7:10:17 PM The classic definition of golf is playing a ball where it lies, one does not get to improve it. In a scramble, you are improving your golf lie, artificially by selecting the "best ball" location and placing other team members' balls by that position in order to play next. Notice in the other forms you mentioned, no player is improving the ball's lie, players are playing it from tee box to hole to get a score.
	FRFernando 10/9/2008 7:10:17 PM The classic definition of golf is playing a ball where it lies, one does not get to improve it. In a scramble, you are improving your golf lie, artificially by selecting the "best ball" location and placing other team members' balls by that position in order to play next. Notice in the other forms you mentioned, no player is improving the ball's lie, players are playing it from tee box to hole to get a score.
	greenfee 10/9/2008 4:33:57 PM I would have thought that a scramble comes under an "unofficial" form of golf. Because some members pick their golf balls up after been put in play from the tee but before being holed out it contravenes the rules of "proper" golf.
	greenfee 10/9/2008 4:33:57 PM I would have thought that a scramble comes under an "unofficial" form of golf. Because some members pick their golf balls up after been put in play from the tee but before being holed out it contravenes the rules of "proper" golf.

heartotexas

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