Quote

Eventually I began to realize what a waste of time these events were.  We weren’t really playing golf.  We were drinking with golf clubs or using the course as a driving range.  My circle of friends did not include any amazingly long-hitting plus handicappers so actually winning an event was pretty much a non-starter. 

That isn't a real bad thing ;) 

They are social events. When we played we just tried to see how low we can do as a group. In the end we were just out to have a fun time. 

I don't hate them, but there is one thing that irks me. I have one buddy who, anytime we're on a golf course, all he wants to do is scramble! I finally had to tell him, nicely but firmly, that many times I'd rather play my own ball.

One more thing. Last year this buddy and I were invited to play in a rather high end event at a local country club. It was a "shamble" rather than a "scramble". I'm sure most know what that is. Handicaps were asked for, but nothing had to be verified. Trying to be honest, but having never set foot on this course, I bumped mine up a couple strokes. I needed to double it! I've played Spyglass Hill, and this course is harder! Plus, the winning team shot something like a net 47! Of course every body on the team claimed a 36 handicap! At least we shot an honest 62!

So, if we're invited back next year, I know what I'm doing! It really was a first class event except for the outrageous sandbagging. The best thing was my buddy won the 50/50 raffle for about $800! He came back to the table and handed me my entry fee back! Damn nice of him.

8 hours ago, Buckeyebowman said:

Handicaps were asked for, but nothing had to be verified. Trying to be honest, but having never set foot on this course, I bumped mine up a couple strokes. I needed to double it! I've played Spyglass Hill, and this course is harder! Plus, the winning team shot something like a net 47! Of course every body on the team claimed a 36 handicap! At least we shot an honest 62!

 

I think you meant to say "although I was dishonest about my handicap, some other entrants were more dishonest than me". I feel sorry for the people you beat that gave their actual handicap.

@Buckeyebowman & @Pete  That is another issue with scrambles, the often blatant finagling of handicaps, ages, rules.  If one is the least bit competitive, it is tough to watch what goes on.

We play scrambles at our club. The handicaps (being CONGU ones) are reliable. Great fun and no one is suspected of cheating at all.

I wouldn't play in a scramble where entrants declare their own handicaps, especially if 'bumping up a couple of strokes' is considered honest!

I have had fun in almost every scramble I have played in. The cheating that goes on however, I could do without.

I enjoy playing 2 or 3 scramble events a year.  And I've played in a Tuesday night league for a couple of years that plays various scramble formats.  It's not *real* golf though.  I mean, never a bad lie.  And we're allowed to move the ball up to club length from the original ball.  So, never behind a tree or other obstacle.   

We play a few blind draw scrambles at my home course every year, and the groups are based on ghin handicaps with a A,BC,D player mix, which squares the teams fairly.  I really enjoy them because I get to play with people I normally would never get to round with.  P.S. I don't drink, and have rarely seen it to be a problem in the foursomes I've been in.

Well these scrambles all sound pretty dreadful. I played a great one yesterday as a visitor looking around a course for potential membership. On arrival, everyone picked a card at random from a set of Aces through 8s (three of each card). Everyone played off handicap and as a three-ball with those who'd picked the same card - if you had an ace, you teed off first, then the Kings etc. Of that three ball, the best two scores on each hole counted. A great format and one I really enjoyed as it was always worth playing a lost cause, even if you could only contribute the one point.

Don't get the point of drinking and playing at all. Maybe an American thing? I've yet to see it over here and hopefully won't. The game's difficult enough without that and sandbagging... I'm pleased with my 12 handicap and am hoping to get it down, not up - a handicap should be a source of pride and proof of to what extent you've progressed with your game, not something to be manipulated to win money.

Yeah I've stopped putting emphasis on winning these events. From my experiences, the hassle of scouting players in order to get together a stacked team is never worth it compared to going out and playing a round with friends or family. Everyone usually gets a door prize or something small and at the end of the day, it is still usually for charity. Even winning doesn't grant all too much satisfaction, as most of the people at these are there just to have a good time and we usually end up giving our winnings back to the cause anyway.

Furthermore, it usually takes a few days for me to get my swing back after scrambles as well. I take pride in being able to hit pretty far off the tee, but in reality, I don't go for a 300+ yard drive every time I step on the box. Swinging out of your shoes and playing aggressive style golf is fun in a scramble format but it usually messes with how I approach shots for at least a round or two afterwards.

Now, I still accept invitations to scrambles, but I go out and play my game and put my focus on having a good time, downing some drinks, and hanging out with friends. I get way more satisfaction from that than trying to take down a stacked team of pros or ringers (there's always at least one). Afterall, these are some of the few events where a team can include my parents or brother who doesn't golf frequently, and still turn out to be incredibly fun.

The cheating is horrible and childish. I play with no expectation of any serious golf or winning anything except that the money will go to a good cause. If I win a sleeve of balls, a glove or a towel, then it's a bonus.