Shamble · Stableford¶
What it is¶
A shamble is a cross between a scramble and better ball. Both partners tee off, the side picks the better of the two drives, and then each partner plays their own ball from that spot into the hole — everyone enjoys playing from a good drive, but the scoring stays individual. This is the Stableford version: each partner scores points on the hole, the side keeps the higher of the two, and the highest total wins.
How scoring works¶
- Both partners tee off. The side chooses the better of the two drives and marks both balls there.
- Each partner plays their own ball from that spot to the hole and records a gross score.
- Each partner scores Stableford points from their net result: 2 points for a net par, one more for each shot better, one fewer for each shot worse, never below zero. Handicap strokes fall on the hardest holes by stroke index, and a shamble is played off 85% of each partner's handicap by default.
- The side's score for the hole is the higher of the two partners' points. Add these across the round; the highest total wins.
- Level sides are separated on countback — the better back nine, then the last six holes, then the last three, then the final hole.
Worked example¶
One side — Player A and Player B — over three holes, Stableford points shown:
| Hole | Par | Player A | Player B | Side (higher) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| 2 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Total | 10 |
The side scores 10 points. On the par-5 2nd, Player B's 4 points (a net eagle from the chosen drive) carried the hole over Player A's 2.
When to use it¶
A sociable, forgiving pairs game with the buzz of playing from the better drive and the safety net of keeping the higher points. Popular for society and charity formats, and kind to higher handicaps because a wiped hole simply scores zero. A group holds up to four, so two pairs can play together.
Variations¶
- Gross or net. Score the points off gross, or apply the 85% handicap allowance and score off net.
- For the stroke version see Shamble · Stroke.
Last updated: 2026-05-07