Texas Scramble Tips & Pointers

[GB72]

I played in my first one a few weeks ago, really enjoyed it and, as it happens, it was not a slow round either (pretty comparable to a normal 4 ball).

My main advice would be to get everyone's drives out the way as soon as you can as it really takes the pressure off not to have to worry about having to get a good one in during the last 4 holes. Also, if you have a person who takes his putting line well off other people's then have him putt last so as he has had 3 looks at what it does and if all of the shots are wide of the green, have the person with the best short game pick the chip he fancies most. Other than that, just relax as it is fun and the least pressured form of golf there is (after all, who can have go at you for hitting a bad shot when they have a chance of hitting the same one only better).

Just out of interest, our one was won by low handicappers (+1, 1 and 5) who beat my team by 1/100th of a stroke.

 

[Deleted member 18588]

Absolute rubbish! Scrambles are purely a fun format, not serious golf. And that is exactly what they are......fun!

Each to their own, and why not, after all those that want to play this abomination are not doing me any harm.

We just seem to have a completely different idea of what constitutes fun.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Each to their own, and why not, after all those that want to play this abomination are not doing me any harm.

We just seem to have a completely different idea of what constitutes fun.

Why is a scramble not fun then ?

 

[Deleted member 18588]

Why is a scramble not fun then ?

Don't really want to get into a long debate as I don't have an issue with those of you that do enjoy a TS.

To me they are completely artificial, take too long as players collect balls from "unwanted" tee-shots etc; having first engaged in discussions over whose ball to take.

I could go on but there is no point as I would appear to be in the minority.

To me the only scramble I find fun or interesting involves motor-bikes.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Don't really want to get into a long debate as I don't have an issue with those of you that do enjoy a TS.

To me they are completely artificial, take too long as players collect balls from "unwanted" tee-shots etc; having first engaged in discussions over whose ball to take.

Icould go on but there is no point as I would appear to be in the minority.

To me the only scramble I find fun or interesting involves motor-bikes.

Yes it does take a bit more time but it doesn't seem to take more time than a regular 4 ball playing a medal

You also mentioned it's only ever won by low handicappers - where as ours seem to be won by mid handicappers

You called it abomination of a game - that's quite a strong word

You could on about why it's not fun - that's why I asked the question - to see exactly why you have such strong negative feelings about a form of the game that is mainly used for "non serious" occasions. Do you take the hobby that serious ?

 

[Scooby999]

Great fun game once in a while. I would agree that the low handicappers tend to come out on top. It's a bit of a thinking game strengths and weaknesses of each player. Trying to balance the choice of drives is interesting, I enjoyed it because I like having a good risk reward shot.

 

[Deleted member 18588]

You could on about why it's not fun - that's why I asked the question - to see exactly why you have such strong negative feelings about a form of the game that is mainly used for "non serious" occasions. Do you take the hobby that serious ?

If and when you see me play you will realise that I could never be accused of taking golf seriously!

On the other points I could never envisage playing a medal in fourballs and the 10% rule should favour the low handicappers e.g. 2, 4, 4 & 5 handicaps receive 1.5 shots. 10, 12, 14 & 14 handicaps receive 5 shots.
Which of those teams is receiving shots somewhere near their individual handicaps? Yet which of those teams, given four efforts at each shot is more likely to achieve the lower gross score on any given hole?

No sorry scrambles for me are best on a BSA Victor or Matchless Metisse.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Scrambles are normally won (going by expirence )by .5 or 1 shot so it appears from what I have seen the mid-handicappers do well

Taking 5 shots off is a considerable amount.

But again who wins it is immaterial as it's a non serious fun event in most golf courses

And can't see why it's an abomination going by your reasons ?

If they are really the only reasons they I'm amazed. Fine you might not like the format - some don't like other formats like 4somes etc but don't see them calling those forms "abominations"

Surely there must be other reasons to suggest it not be in this country ?

 

[MadAdey]

HOw can anyone not love this fun format of golf? I love playing it as it gives you the chance to just open the arms up and rip that driver, without having to worry about it.
I would agree with what has been said about it being a mid handicappers game. I am yet to find a 15 handicapper that can't hit shots like a 5 handicapper, the only problem is they can't do it on a regular basis. NOw get 4 of them together so only 1 out of 4 has to hit a good one, then you have got a team with a chance.

 

[Deleted member 18588]

Scrambles are normally won (going by expirence )by .5 or 1 shot so it appears from what I have seen the mid-handicappers do well

Taking 5 shots off is a considerable amount.

But again who wins it is immaterial as it's a non serious fun event in most golf courses

And can't see why it's an abomination going by your reasons ?

If they are really the only reasons they I'm amazed. Fine you might not like the format - some don't like other formats like 4somes etc but don't see them calling those forms "abominations"

Surely there must be other reasons to suggest it not be in this country ?

What is your issue?

I have stated that, if I had my way, this form of the game would never have been introduced over here. However, sadly it has and I accept that. If others wish to play it fine, that is their choice, I keep away from the club on the two occasions each year that we run this type of comp. As I am retired I have plenty of other opportunities to play.

Does not mean that, in my opinion, it is an abomination, something which I have heard attached to foursomes when it has been dismissed as "only half a game".

Horses for courses old chap!

 

[Deleted member 15344]

What is your issue?

I have stated that, if I had my way, this form of the game would never have been introduced over here. However, sadly it has and I accept that. If others wish to play it fine, that is their choice, I keep away from the club on the two occasions each year that we run this type of comp. As I am retired I have plenty of other opportunities to play.

Does not mean that, in my opinion, it is an abomination, something which I have heard attached to foursomes when it has been dismissed as "only half a game".

Horses for courses old chap!

I'm just trying to find out your reason for suggesting it should have stayed in America and is an abomination ?

I haven't heard that said about any other format personally

I haven't witnessed such "hatred" of one format and I'm struggling to understand why hence why I ask for the reasons. 99.9% of people I play golf with or speak to love it and really enjoy it - it's massively popular with the start sheet filled within days

So can you tell me the reasons why it's such an abomination for you ?

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Don't really want to get into a long debate as I don't have an issue with those of you that do enjoy a TS.

To me they are completely artificial, take too long as players collect balls from "unwanted" tee-shots etc; having first engaged in discussions over whose ball to take.

I could go on but there is no point as I would appear to be in the minority.

To me the only scramble I find fun or interesting involves motor-bikes.

Agree that it is an 'artificial' game hence the reason I said it's not a serious format. If people play it properly there is no need for it to be any slower. You don't have to hold up play while you collect your ball, just hit another one then pick up your original as you walk past or while others are playing their shots. And as soon as someone has holed out the entire group can pick up and move on.
As usual, it is down to people messing about that causes the slow play.

 

[Deleted member 18588]

I'm just trying to find out your reason for suggesting it should have stayed in America and is an abomination ?

I haven't heard that said about any other format personally

I haven't witnessed such "hatred" of one format and I'm struggling to understand why hence why I ask for the reasons. 99.9% of people I play golf with or speak to love it and really enjoy it - it's massively popular with the start sheet filled within days

So can you tell me the reasons why it's such an abomination for you ?

This is now getting tedious, both for me and, I am sure many others, so final answer :-

Artificial, I prefer matchplay as a form of golf, singles, foursomes or fourball.
Slow, although if people followed the advice of driveforshow this could be improved.
At our club not very popular when compared with other formats.

As I said in the interests of my fellow forumers I will be making no further comments on this thread.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Thank you for the answers. Just clears it up for me - was just waiting for some horrific answer that made the format such hated format for you :thup: