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Scramble tournaments- Like 'em or not?
DL Golfer
Professional Champion
 
124 Views    30 Replies    2 Likes   I like it!
I probably play in 6-10 of these events per year. Personally, I enjoy playing in them as long as they aren't too gimmicky. Several of my golfing buddies don't want anything to do with them. What do you think? Like 'em? Hate 'em? Only if someone else is paying? :-D
MT Vincent
Professional Champion
 
# 1    10/6/2012 9:58:03 AM   
When you have a Calcutta and there is a lot of money riding on the line, you should pair teams together and have each team keep the others scorecard and sign it at the end like a regular tournament.

"NO MULLIGANS", if you think about it, you get 3 of them on every shot.

If it's just a fund raiser...who cares who wins, just have fun!


Geno929
Professional Champion
 
# 2    10/6/2012 11:24:55 AM   
Hate Them!, Played one earlier this year. We shot 52 straight up, with an eagle on a par 4. Didn't even snif the top three teams. We thought that the eagle on the par 4 would at least have a skin! Nope, they were bought for $100 for a hole in one! Stupid and pointless. Why not just let the big money buy the round. What the heck, why not just pay to shoot an 18!


Mongo68
Legend
 
# 3    10/6/2012 11:27:08 AM   
Hate 'em, hate 'em, hate 'em! It almost always brings out the hackers that have no clue on most of the rules. Most groups don't even hole out, they just pick up. The winning team's score is usually around 60 or less because the organizers don't put a limit on mulligans (which they shouldn't have anyway). I know mulligan purchases go to charity but there are better ways of raising money than unlimited mulligans. I've even witnessed closest to the pin being marked on the SECOND shot chipping onto the green. Long drives landing in the rough and the player moves the marker into the fairway. I could go on and on with other reasons but I'm sure someone else will chime in on this as well.


njgolfer
Legend
 
# 4    10/6/2012 1:24:23 PM   
I don't mind playing in them when asked and it is for a worthy cause. Obviously with the wide spread of "talent", they tend to be an all day affair which is why I try to only play 2-3 per year.


cogolfer1
LowIndex
 
# 5    10/6/2012 4:30:39 PM   
Since I only do them about once a year with my high school golf teammates, I love them! For me it's a blast. As long as they aren't handicapped I think they're probably the funnest golf format to play.


ParSeeker
Legend
 
# 6    10/6/2012 4:39:29 PM   
If it's a charity scramble you have to take it for what it is. You're contributing to a worthy cause and hopefully out to have fun. Some of these events have some pretty hefty prize money but it often gets donated back to the charity. I try to play well and just relax and have a good time. The environment isn't always conducive to serious golf.


tothetop777
Legend
 
# 7    10/6/2012 6:33:01 PM   
2 man only unless 4some is for a good charity or fundraiser. Too many dishonest 4somes in these that you know are completely full of #### when they turn in their scores. Especially when they wait until everyone else is posted and then turn in scores last. 2 man you can at least keep each others scores.


JayPet
Legend
 
# 8    10/6/2012 8:25:12 PM   
2 Man best ball is really the only way to play these. I hate the 4 man Scrambles that allow you to buy mulligans. Total Joke. A true best ball with some good competition can be enjoyable.


DL Golfer
Professional Champion
 
# 9    10/6/2012 8:35:18 PM   
Worse than a mulligan, the last two scrambles I played in were selling "hand grenades" (or something like that) where you were allowed to throw the ball and not count it as a stroke. Most recently, it was for the local chamber of commerce, so I didn't mind participating, but that last little money-grab pretty much killed any semblance of a "golf tournament." I would probably pass on that format again.


tothetop777
Legend
 
# 10    10/6/2012 8:49:41 PM   

Worse than a mulligan, the last two scrambles I played in were selling "hand grenades" (or something like that) where you were allowed to throw the ball and not count it as a stroke. Most recently, it was for the local chamber of commerce, so I didn't mind participating, but that last little money-grab pretty much killed any semblance of a "golf tournament." I would probably pass on that format again.


They also have 10' strings you can buy (1- per player and use only once each to put you 10' closer to hole. I have seen the ball toss (has to be tossed under handed). They are money makers for who is putting on the tournament. Played in one that the team that won (21 under), thought they were supposed to subtract all the mulligans bought from their final score. Mind you, after they were given the first place prizes. I pinned them and said I would take my guys and play straight up with them for $1,000. Thats when the truth came out. This is not golf to me. That is why over the last couple years I simply say no when asked.


JayPet
Legend
 
# 11    10/6/2012 8:58:03 PM   


Worse than a mulligan, the last two scrambles I played in were selling "hand grenades" (or something like that) where you were allowed to throw the ball and not count it as a stroke. Most recently, it was for the local chamber of commerce, so I didn't mind participating, but that last little money-grab pretty much killed any semblance of a "golf tournament." I would probably pass on that format again.


They also have 10' strings you can buy (1- per player and use only once each to put you 10' closer to hole. I have seen the ball toss (has to be tossed under handed). They are money makers for who is putting on the tournament. Played in one that the team that won (21 under), thought they were supposed to subtract all the mulligans bought from their final score. Mind you, after they were given the first place prizes. I pinned them and said I would take my guys and play straight up with them for $1,000. Thats when the truth came out. This is not golf to me. That is why over the last couple years I simply say no when asked.




Played one of those a few years ago, it was a complete joke. The hand grenade is one I have not heard of before. Goofy golf is not the way it is meant to be enjoyed.


Don Freeman
Professional Champion
 
# 12    10/6/2012 9:06:18 PM   
My brother played in one a few months back in Tampa that did the hand grenade thing. But they used these tiny foam footballs. You toss them to advance your ball before your next shot. They only fly about 20 yards or so though. .....That was until .........my brother's friend figured out how to beat it. They soaked the balls in the water bucket on the cart till they were saturated. Then you could throw it almost 50 yards. lol.


HOGAN418
Professional Champion
 
# 13    10/6/2012 9:33:20 PM   
Chance to show golf superiority.. but keep it all in perspective.. and have fun... I try some shots I don't usually try... good food, firends, and for a good cause...


armygrunt47
Professional Champion
 
# 14    10/6/2012 10:01:18 PM   
I have played in a few of them with my teams scores ranging from 6 under to 23 under. The 6 under was with three other guys that are avid golfers who shoot in the 70s on a regular basis and the 23 under was with just one other guy who was close to scratch and two guys that had played less then 10 rounds between them. They can be really fun but they really get out of hand when people start buying mulligans and tosses.


Mark Simmons
Legend
 
# 15    10/6/2012 10:32:52 PM   
If you are looking for serious competition, most of these tournaments that use the scramble format aren't it. Now you can have a legitimate competition with the scramble format. To do so you need to make the adjustments already mentioned, plus have a way to eliminate the lurking sandbaggers and others without honor.

Having said that, there is nothing wrong with having a charity event or social event with some goofy rules just for fun. The problems come when there is a mismatch between what the tournament is vs. players expectations of what it is.


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