Scramble vs. Stroke Play

[Mizzoujohn]

I seem to notice so many people scrambling when I'm on the course. My friends and I always play stroke play, we want to see our actual scores, regardless if we shoot 75 or 92

Even a lot of tournament listings I see posted are scrambles.
I really like to hit my own shots, I feel like I'm playing real golf, when I'm scrambling I find it less fun/rewarding/interesting. I hit a medicore shot and I don't have to hit a tough rescue or escape shot because my partner hit the fairway? Lame.

What do you guys think?
John

[TN94z]

I would much rather play my own ball as well, but I don't mind scrambling. Its pretty fun as long as the teams are even. There is a group of guys in my area that will only play scrambles. They won't play their own ball. Most of them are really bad and if they scramble they can hide their games behind their partners...

[1par2win]

I play one scramble tournament a year. It's my former employers and it's a lot of fun to get together once a year and knock it around. It not all that serious as we do try to win but it's mostly hit and giggle. I get my fill of scramble golf after that.

I had signed up for the E-Tour golf schedule in the Twin Cities this year as it is a organized handicapped individual stroke play format. Unfortuntaly they didn't have enough players to sign up so they canceled the season's tournaments. That was a real bummer. When I talked to the tour organizer he said that the scramble events are really popular but the stroke play events are much harder to fill. That surprised me.

[martytilma]

I have a couple of older buddies that used to play a lot of stoke play golf. Now you can't get them out unless you are playing a scramble. They say they are out there to have fun and not chase thier balls all over the course. I used to like playing them when I was younger, but the better I got, the more I disliked them. (scrambles, not my buddies. Ha!) Still play in a few here in there, but mostly charity outings and such. To each their own I guess.

[sean_miller]

I have a couple of older buddies that used to play a lot of stoke play golf. Now you can't get them out unless you are playing a scramble. They say they are out there to have fun and not chase thier balls all over the course. I used to like playing them when I was younger, but the better I got, the more I disliked them. (scrambles, not my buddies. Ha!) Still play in a few here in there, but mostly charity outings and such. To each their own I guess.

Scrambles are what they are. When I play on at a familiar course I typically lose the free sleeve of balls by the turn. Try to fly every hazard and drive every short par 4 - why not? I was in one last week that was totally different though. I was the only active golfer in the group (one newbie and two guys who hadn't touched their clubs in a long time) and we struggled to finish 10 strokes behind the winning team - we sure had fun though!

[wrx_junki]

I enjoy playing it from time to time. Usually have small wagers and it gets quite competitive.

[martytilma]

Scrambles are what they are. When I play on at a familiar course I typically lose the free sleeve of balls by the turn. Try to fly every hazard and drive every short par 4 - why not?

Exactly! I'm usually the best golfer in our foursome, so I go last. 9 out of 10 times there is usually a safe shot out there, so what do I do? Grip and Rip! I usually play like crap in scrambles for that very reason, trying to do stuff I don't normally do. Played in one a month ago. Had a really good team, shot -17 with a par on the last hole. I think my putt only mattered 1 time! On the last hole to go -18, and I missed! That's what happens when the 3 in front of you are sinking everything in sight and I don't get a chance to putt.

[sean_miller]

Exactly! I'm usually the best golfer in our foursome, so I go last. 9 out of 10 times there is usually a safe shot out there, so what do I do? Grip and Rip! I usually play like crap in scrambles for that very reason, trying to do stuff I don't normally do. Played in one a month ago. Had a really good team, shot -17 with a par on the last hole. I think my putt only mattered 1 time! On the last hole to go -18, and I missed! That's what happens when the 3 in front of you are sinking everything in sight and I don't get a chance to putt.

I've never been so lucky. I sunk a few nice putts last week - for par! - lol.

[saevel25]

I like them both, i like that golf can accomidate many formats.

[James_Black]

I don't really like scrambles.
I like playing my own game, I don't mind playing against a friend using stableford or matchplay but I like to care about my shots instead of trying to bomb every drive or hit every putt firm.

[jlh1508]

The league I just joined does both.

We play the first 9 holes as our stroke play match. Then based on what everyone shot for those 9 we are seeded into scramble teams and play the other 9 in a scramble format.

[dbuck]

a day playing scrambles is better than a day at work!

Really I like playing my own ball a little better, but a scramble is fine if that is the game. I have played in a couple this year and had a great time.

[B-Con]

I definitely prefer playing my own ball from start to finish. Golf isn't the same when you don't do your own course management and get yourself into good situation and out of bad ones.

[case31]

I'm not a huge fan of scrambles. For me, it's impossible to get any kind of rhythm going, it's slow, and I tend to struggle with my swing for awhile after.

Scrambles are also breeding grounds for cheaters. I hate to say it, but it's true.

[martytilma]

Scrambles are also breeding grounds for cheaters. I hate to say it, but it's true.

I would agree with that! Ecspecially when there is large prize money involved! I used to play in a scramble where first place was 1200.00. They would have two foursomes playing per hole and they had to keep each others score to make sure no one cheated.

[case31]

I would agree with that! Ecspecially when there is large prize money involved! I used to play in a scramble where first place was 1200.00. They would have two foursomes playing per hole and they had to keep each others score to make sure no one cheated.

I could go on all day telling stories of scramble teams cheating. The other part is that people feel like it's an open invitation to get ridiculously intoxicated and belligerent (sp?) on the course...and then drive home.

[montru]

My league plays both stroke play and scrambles and I have just got them to start doing stableford as well (at last), we also play different variations of scrambles, like schambles and lone wolf.

I have never been a fan of scrambles, I tend to use them as a kind of practice round to shape shots etc because even though you can stand there on the range shaping shots it is totaly different when you try and put it into use on the course IMO anyway.

[JaredSS]

Most of the time the people who don't want to play their own ball, well, you don't want them on your team, know what I mean?