Scrambles hurting scores?

**rhodes81** · September 8, 2010

I started playing in a 9 hole two man scramble on tuesday evenings earlier this summer and I really enjoy the competitiveness and have fun playing, but I think it is starting to hurt my stroke play scores. My driving and wedge play have gotten better since I started playing in the scrambles, but my mid irons have gotten less consistent. I was playing some of my best golf earlier this year and now I have backed up a few strokes. The scramble is played from the white tees (6000 yards) and I usually play from the blues (6500 yards). I only get to play a full round on sundays and this scramble is my only other golf all week.

Has anyone else ever noticed a change in their stroke play, for better or worses, as the result of playing in a scramble?

**bigoak** · September 9, 2010

I hated scrambles because you swing out of your natural tempo. It messes up your swing. Saturday we played league tournament and in the scramble we shot 35 and in the best ball, I shot 37. In the scramble I had to hit first and I watched no one else's swing. Just put on the blinders and you'll be all right.

**goblue107501** · September 9, 2010

From someone who has played in a ton of scrambles, it is just a mental thing that you have to adjust. Turn on scramble mode, then be able to turn it off when you play your own ball. Once you make that mental adjustment and get used to it, you'll notice a difference.

I find that playing scrambles actually helps my overall game. The biggest thing for me is that you get to try different shots with little risk. I don't think I would have improved as much as I have if I didn't play in 5-6 scrambles a year, and many more than that in years past.

**Clambake** · September 9, 2010

I hated scrambles because you swing out of your natural tempo. It messes up your swing.

How is it possible that a playing format which only changes where you hit from messes up your swing or hurts your tempo? If so your swing is waaaaay too fragile.

I liked scrambles when my handicap was higher because it gave me the feeling of playing good golf instead of always be hitting my mistakes. It sort of helps one get over the subconscious fear of scoring well and gets you into the mindset of hitting birdies and putting for eagle, instead of being nervous about it.

**LBlack14** · September 9, 2010

My swing definitely changes, but I enjoy the hell out of 'em!

**andymane** · September 9, 2010

Personally, scrambles have helped me a lot in the confidence department. i also like that little bit of competitiveness between me and my team mates. it seems to make me play better when they guys im playing are sticking approaches like lawn darts, and draining putts. but as the others have mentioned, dont let the relaxed style of the scramble format get in the way of your concentration. all in all scrambles are meant to be fun!!!

**deronsizemore** · September 9, 2010

Scrambles usually hurt my game for a couple weeks. Typically I just start hitting driver all over the place. When I'm in a scramble, I'm always the A player and every hole it's "we got one out there, you can really go after one now." So, being your typical amateur golfer, I swing out of my shoes to get us one out there as far as possible. After the scramble, it's hard to turn off 110% mode.

**mdbuschsr** · September 9, 2010

I like scrambles. I tend to loosen up and not over think my swing. The results are usually a longer straighter flight.

**Paradox** · September 9, 2010

Scrambles usually hurt my game for a couple weeks. Typically I just start hitting driver all over the place. When I'm in a scramble, I'm always the A player and every hole it's "we got one out there, you can really go after one now." So, being your typical amateur golfer, I swing out of my shoes to get us one out there as far as possible. After the scramble, it's hard to turn off 110% mode.

take the approach that your normal swing is going to outhit the others in your group 90% of the time, anyway.

The only problem I have ever had with scrambles is hitting iron shots with guys standing 5 feet from me. I'm not ready for the crowds on tour just yet.

**Fourputt** · September 9, 2010

I don't see why it should hurt your regular game. All it really does is take the pressure off.... like always having a mulligan.

For some golfers, a team scramble lets then swing more freely and relaxed, so they hit better shots. For others it takes away that need to bear down, so they actually hit worse shots in a scramble than they do in normal play. I see that happen especially with better players.... I see many "A" players in a scramble who can't seem to perform up to their usual level because of that lack of focus. At the same time the "D" player suddenly becomes a world beater because he knows that he has the rest of the team to pick him up, and that frees up some of those hitches he usually has in his swing.

But I don't see that it ever changed my usual game... when I'm playing for my own score, I play the same, regardless of whether or not I just played in a scramble.

**Chief Broom** · September 9, 2010

I don't like scrambles. The format doesn't lend itself well to taking your game seriously. Some people like that for a change, but I always feel that if I'm playing well in a scramble I wonder what I could have done playing my own ball.

**Fourputt** · September 9, 2010

I don't like scrambles. The format doesn't lend itself well to taking your game seriously. Some people like that for a change, but I always feel that if I'm playing well in a scramble I wonder what I could have done playing my own ball.

I see it much differently. Golf shouldn't always be life and death serious. I like to go out and have fun with no pressure on me one way or the other. Scrambles are fun just for the cooperative team aspect of the format. If I play well and make some good shots, I can still enjoy it for being able to help the team rather than second guessing what might have been.

Different outlook I guess. Just like when I post that I keep pace and have fun when always playing by the rules, even though others don't think that's possible. Different approach to the game.

**deronsizemore** · September 10, 2010

take the approach that your normal swing is going to outhit the others in your group 90% of the time, anyway.

Yeah, you're definitely right, I just can't help myself espeically when there's a $200 gift card to Pro Golf waiting for the longest drive.

**WUTiger** · September 10, 2010

.... Has anyone else ever noticed a change in their stroke play, for better or worses, as the result of playing in a scramble?

Played in a high school alumni scramble with a classmate who plays scratch golf. He said his

fairways hit tend to go down the week after a scramble because his scramble team counts on him for crush drives. In Oklahoma, I played in a college benefit tournament. Teams could buy drives on a Par 5 hole - the college players would hit one drive per player. The golf coach rotated new golf team "drivers" after every five groups, because he was afraid of the players going for power and losing accuracy. So, it seems better players worry about missing fairways the first couple of solo rounds following scrambles.

**SpoiledRotten** · September 10, 2010

How is it possible that a playing format which only changes where you hit from messes up your swing or hurts your tempo? If so your swing is waaaaay too fragile.

I'll have to agree with this way of thinking. It helped my overall score, mainly because it took the pressure off of my individual score and possible mistakes. It also helped my confidence level. Now, on Sundays, after playing the 3 to 4 man scramble on Saturday, the wife and I play our own two "person" scramble, where my shot is the one we play about 95% of the time, and our score is usually around +1 to +4. So, that tells me that my "scramble" score, without the stress of a creating a high score on my own, is much better than before.

We also feel that if we can get to even par together, then our individual score will also be much better.

**The Recreational Golfer** · September 10, 2010

One thing scrambles do is let me hit shots from parts of the course I seldom play from. Lets me try new things, gives me a new look, it's kind of fun that way.

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Scrambles hurting scores?

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