Scramble · Stroke¶
What it is¶
A scramble is the classic team-fun format. Everyone on the team tees off, the side picks the best of the shots, and then the whole team plays the next shot from that spot — and so on, always playing on from the best ball, until it is holed. The team records a single score for the hole. Because every shot is played from the best of three or four, scores run low and even a weaker player can swing a hole with one good shot, which is why scrambles are the staple of society and charity days. This is the stroke-play version: the lowest team total wins.
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 and on the putting surface 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. The team's net is its gross adjusted for the strokes that team handicap earns on the hardest holes by stroke index.
- Add the team's scores across the round; the lowest total wins (gross for a scratch result, net once the team handicap is applied).
- 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, one team gross per hole (the single score each side made playing the best ball):
| Hole | Par | Team 1 | Team 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
| 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| 3 | 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Total | 12 | 12 | 14 |
Team 1 leads on gross, 12 to 14. Note there is just one figure per team each hole — a scramble produces a single team ball, not one card per player.
When to use it¶
The go-to format for big, mixed-ability team events — everyone contributes, the pace is quick, and the scores feel rewarding. A group seats up to four players, so a full team of three or four shares one group. Sociable first, competitive second.
Variations¶
- Team size. Threes and fours are the norm; the larger the team, the more good shots to choose from and the lower the scores tend to run.
- Gross or net. Play for the lowest team gross, or apply the team handicap (a sliding share from lowest to highest handicap) and play for net.
- For the points-based version see Scramble · Stableford. For the two-player game it grows out of, see Scramble · Stroke.
Last updated: 2026-05-07