Our BIG yearly scramble this weekend!!

[TN94z]

Well, it is that time of year again. We have a big scramble every year that we play in. When I sady big, I mean there is A LOT of money to be won and it brings out the big dogs. We have had the same team for the last four years and really have a good team. In the past there has just been one or two things that have kept us out of the winner position. We usually average around 12 under and it will take 16 to win it this year I think. It is a pretty tough course. Last year was our worst as we couldn't get any approach shots in reasonable birdie making distance. This year, 3 of us have drastically improved.

Myself--I have went from probably a 10 handicap to about a 4 right now. I have started taking lessons and really working on my swing. I have been working on my putting this week and have figured out why my putts aren't dropping.

Player one--Has really dialed his short game in this year! From 60 and in, he has become deadly with the wedges and putter.

Player two--This guy takes lessons at the same place I do and he has tour quality length. He carries (yes I said carries) his drives about 300 on his better struck balls. I would say that he averages at least 280 and remember this is carry. I am not one to boast about distance or lie about distance and I know what it takes to hit them 300...he does it. The average tour 7i is 175. He hits his 7i 195. Trust me when I tell you, he hits the ball further than anyone I have personally witnessed!!

Player three--He hits it a ton too but nothing like player two. He has a good all around game.

Our handicaps are Me (3-4), Player one(8-10), Player two(8-10), and Player three(7-8).

The team to beat consists of a 2 handicapper, a scratch player, and pro, and a 8 handicapper. It will be a tough task but they never shoot any higher than 14-15. We can do it if we can make the putts.


Any advice??? What do you guys think?

[JawjaDawg]

You've just gotta drop putts. You've certainly got a chance with a team like that. Make sure you've got a shot in the fairway then let that big hitter put some red ass on the ball.

[clubchamp]

Well since you have a guy hitting it 300 yds and a guy deadly with his wedges you should birdie basically every par 4 and eagle some of the par 5s so unless your putting is terrible it should be an easy win.

[TN94z]

You've just gotta drop putts. You've certainly got a chance with a team like that. Make sure you've got a shot in the fairway then let that big hitter put some red ass on the ball.

I heard that! I hit my 3w 250 and usually keep it pretty straight. I usually tee off first and hit that shot and then they let the big dogs eat! The problem with them hitting it that far is if they are off a little left or right, they REALLY go left or right. He was hitting them really straight this past weekend though, so maybe that will hold up.

Well since you have a guy hitting it 300 yds and a guy deadly with his wedges you should birdie basically every par 4 and eagle some of the par 5s so unless your putting is terrible it should be an easy win.

You would think!! Like I said above, if he hits the left or right, you can pretty much count it out. But he has been hitting them pretty straight lately. I went to the course yesterday and the greens are looking really bad. They were hard and had quite a few dead spots, so who knows how the ball will react. As far as an easy win, sometimes the putts just don't drop. The year before last, we had quite a few putts that lipped out or we would have won it then. They have some pretty tough pin placements in this one...you know, the kinds where if the putts aren't center cup, they probably won't drop...and then they roll 4-5 feet away.

[tjy355]

Any advice??? What do you guys think?

My advice, drink lots of beer and enjoy the social event.

Considering a scramble to be some sort of competitive event is a joke.

[TN94z]

My advice, drink lots of beer and enjoy the social event.

That's a given, right? Not to mention that it is sponsored by our local Elks' Lodge and the beer is only $1!!!

But the competitiveness comes out though....first place can net close to 1k-1500! (If you buy your team the night before in the calcutta.)

[alf174]

That's a given, right? Not to mention that it is sponsored by our local Elks' Lodge and the beer is only $1!!!

don't say the word calcutta too loud, they're illegal.

[hkmp5]

Do what everyone else does in these scrambles cheat, lie and buy all the mulligans you can afford.

all that big prize money should go to the cause not in the teams pocket.

[goblue107501]

Best of luck. Scrambles for money can be pretty fun. I have played in plenty of them. The biggest thing is to give yourself plenty of good looks and make putts. It doesn't ever matter who hits further or who is in every fairway, it is all about making the birdie putts and staying away from the dreaded bogey. You might make a couple of 20 footers, but you can't bet the tournament on making 15 of them. With the quality of players in your group you will probably have 2-3 kick in birdies if all goes well.

My advise -- hit irons close and make putts.

[TN94z]

don't say the word calcutta too loud, they're illegal.

Shhhh!!!

No are they really? I have never really thought about it.

Do what everyone else does in these scrambles cheat, lie and buy all the mulligans you can afford.

These guys in this one are pretty straight up players (the ones that matter anyway). The team to beat has one of our friends on it and he is the biggest stickler for rules I have ever seen. There is no way they will cheat. This scramble doesn't have mulligans, or hasn't in the past.

Best of luck. Scrambles for money can be pretty fun. I have played in plenty of them. The biggest thing is to give yourself plenty of good looks and make putts. It doesn't ever matter who hits further or who is in every fairway, it is all about making the birdie putts and staying away from the dreaded bogey. You might make a couple of 20 footers, but you can't bet the tournament on making 15 of them. With the quality of players in your group you will probably have 2-3 kick in birdies if all goes well.

It is ALL about the putts!! Last year we were all off and couldn't get any iron shots close and were lucky to shoot what we shot. This year our short games have really improved, so I am expecting to have some closer putts. With that being said, one of our team members "surveyed" the course yesterday and said the greens are in terrible shape. He said that they would barely hold a full shot from inside 100. He said that none of his chips were checking and they were rolling out every time. That will make it much more difficult. Basically the greens have huge dead spots all over them. This course was one of the best kept courses around about 2 years ago. This year they promoted one of the guys that used to mow the fairways to heads greenskeeper. I know about it than him and he is killing them.

[alf174]

Shhhh!!!

yep, because you're betting on someone else. Bets like CTTP, longest drive, etc, are betting on yourself.

[TN94z]

yep, because you're betting on someone else. Bets like CTTP, longest drive, etc, are betting on yourself.

Yeah, I know. I was being a little scarcastic.

[alf174]

Yeah, I know. I was being a little scarcastic.

okay, didn't pick up on that. some people don't know that little tidbit about the legality.

[TN94z]

okay, didn't pick up on that. some people don't know that little tidbit about the legality.

I can see why. I noticed that after I made the post, I hadn't put the little smiley at the end, so the scarcastic wasn't coming across.

[Rob]

Why don`t you play your own balls,and count the best 3 scores on each hole instead of trying to stack a team. Then you`d really know who has the best team. Alot of my buddies always want to scramble instead of play their own ball,primarily because they suck, and don`t want to get better.

[TN94z]

Why don`t you play your own balls,and count the best 3 scores on each hole instead of trying to stack a team. Then you`d really know who has the best team. Alot of my buddies always want to scramble instead of play their own ball,primarily because they suck, and don`t want to get better.

That is just not the way the Elks Lodge has the scramble setup It's not our choice how it is run, we just enter and play. Scrambles are fun and I know what you mean about guys that suck wanting to scramble, but trust me....the top teams here by no means "suck." The guys in the championship flight of this scramble are the top golfers in my area. It pays a lot to win and that brings out the big dogs!

[ScottRempel]

I've never played in it, but there is a big scramble event at a course near here every year as well. It actually draws some top players from the the province, including guys that have played (or maybe tried to play) on the Canadian Tour, from what I remember. There are a couple of golfing families that always go to it...you know, one brother is trying to play on a tour, the other two are probably scratch, and the dad is probably still a 4 or something.
Big entry fee and big prizes. As you've said, the teams that are going to be in contention, are not the type to cheat...this isn't your usual scramble.

P.S. How's the driver? Thinking of trying one out next year maybe.

[TN94z]

I've never played in it, but there is a big scramble event at a course near here every year as well. It actually draws some top players from the the province, including guys that have played (or maybe tried to play) on the Canadian Tour, from what I remember. There are a couple of golfing families that always go to it...you know, one brother is trying to play on a tour, the other two are probably scratch, and the dad is probably still a 4 or something.

Yeah, this scramble has had Nationwide players, PGA Pros, Hooters tour players, etc....it is a big one! If you are referring to me, the Titleist D2 is AMAZING!!!!!!! I went from a Mizuno MP600 and gained an average of 17 yards. I love it. It has sold me on Titleist and that is probably what every replacement club in my bag will be from now on! The sound, looks, feel, quality, and performance are so much better than any other driver I have had. I definitely recommend trying it out!