Scramble · Stableford¶
What it is¶
A scramble is the classic team-fun format: everyone tees off, the side picks the best of the shots, and the whole team plays on from there until the ball is holed, recording one score for the hole. Because every shot is played from the best of three or four, scores run low and one good swing from any player can carry a hole. This is the Stableford version: the team's single score becomes points each hole, and the highest total wins — so a rare bad hole costs points rather than wrecking the card.
How scoring works¶
- Every team member tees off; the side chooses the best shot and all play their next from there. Repeat through the green until the ball is holed. Record one gross score for the team on each hole.
- The team plays off a single team handicap. The standard allowance blends a share of each player's handicap from lowest to highest — 30% / 20% / 10% for a three, and 25% / 20% / 15% / 10% for a four.
- Turn the team's net result into Stableford points: 2 for a net par, one more for each shot better, one fewer for each shot worse, never below zero.
- Add the team's points across the round; the highest total wins.
- Level teams are separated on countback — the better back nine, then the last six holes, then the last three, then the final hole.
Worked example¶
Two teams, the points each side scored from its single team ball each hole:
| Hole | Par | Team 1 | Team 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| 3 | 5 | 4 | 2 |
| Total | 9 | 7 |
Team 1 wins on points, 9 to 7. Its net birdie on the 3rd (4 points) opened the gap that its steady pars could not have made alone.
When to use it¶
The points twist on the society-day staple. A wiped hole scores zero instead of a runaway number, so it keeps the closing holes alive even for a team that has slipped behind. A group seats up to four players, so a full team of three or four shares one group.
Variations¶
- Team size. Threes and fours are the norm; more players means more good shots to choose from and higher points.
- Gross or net. Score the points off the team's gross for a scratch result, or apply the team handicap and score off net.
- For the stroke version see Scramble · Stroke. For the two-player game it grows out of, see Scramble · Stableford.
Last updated: 2026-05-07