Texas Scramble

[basketcase01]

First of all, hi everyone. My first post but i hope to become a regular poster simply because I love this game. I am fairly new to golf, been playing just 14 months so rules and etiquette are something I try to pick up and improve on as much as possible.

I was playing in a 4 man  texas scramble today with the rule being 4 tee shots each with 1 having to be a par 3 (4 par 3s on my course so one each). My team used my tee shot on the first par 3 (our 2nd hole). So by rights I no longer need to hit on the remaining par 3's, but I still continue to play them (not using any of them) because I like to keep my swing going and I like to think my team mates can take some guidance from it(I play of 16 so not much lol). A member of another team seen I was doing this and accused us (me) of cheating and asked for us to be disqualified, saying it wasn't just morally wrong to do so but also against the rules. As I understand Texas Scrambles rules can be a bit vague and thought he was just being a wind up merchant until another player who plays off 1 and I consider a good friend agreed with him. Could I ask the opinions here so I can be better prepared next time I speak to them.

[billchao]

Welcome to TST, @basketcase01! Your topic was moved from the Rules of Golf forum because a scramble format isn't in the official rules of golf.

That said, if the event you played in stipulates that each person's tee shot can only be used once on a par 3 and yours was already used, I can see why your fellow competitors would be upset at you hitting additional shots that can't be used. Not only would this slow down play, but it can be considered practice during your competition and possibly provide information that can give your team an advantage. Ultimately it comes down to how the format rules are established in that particular event.

I hope you had a good time regardless and don't let this discourage you from the game. IMO, scrambles are just for fun and not meant to be taken that seriously anyway, but you know how some people can get when competition is on the line...

[basketcase01]

Thanks for replying, billchao. As I understand there were no rules set out to say I couldn't so I think disqualification would have been harsh but I'll take it on board it was probably morally wrong and refrain from doing so in future.

 

[Keith White]

I have played in many scrambles but never one where each member had to use a par three, so that's a new on me. I guess each club will be different but if nobody stated that you can't hit, even if you cant have your ball chosen, then you have done nothing wrong.  I can see the moral argument but it's a team game so your all helping as a team to present a single score.  If nobody said you could not do it, then your hitting for the team, in a team format. If they gain something from how your ball behaves then that's part of a team format surely?

I remember a few years back standing on the 18th tee and it was down to me.  I needed 1 more tee shot on the scramble card,  so I had 3 team mates thirty yards ahead at the side of the fairway watching and waiting, pressure !!!!  It went down the middle.......phew !!

 

[DaveP043]

Unless there's a specific rule against it, you did nothing wrong.  Morally, your job is to help your team, and if by hitting a shot that can't count you help them, you've done right.  

2 hours ago, billchao said:

That said, if the event you played in stipulates that each person's tee shot can only be used once on a par 3 and yours was already used, I can see why your fellow competitors would be upset at you hitting additional shots that can't be used. Not only would this slow down play, but it can be considered practice during your competition and possibly provide information that can give your team an advantage. Ultimately it comes down to how the format rules are established in that particular event.

I understand what @billchao is saying here, but as he also said, scrambles don't have official Rules of Golf per the R&A or USGA.  Your fellow-competitors should only be upset that they didn't think of doing this.

Last, and maybe most importantly, welcome to TheSandTrap!   Please join in with gusto, we're happy to have you here with the rest of us addicts  

[jsgolfer]

As there are really no rules in scrambles other than OB/lost balls etc., you did nothing wrong. I've  played in way too many scrambles and the players I've played with are loose on normal rules that I'm surprised anyone had a problem with you hitting a shot that didn't count, as long as it wasn't used. 

 

[iacas]

I would not worry about the other team.

You did nothing wrong. It's only wrong if they USE your shot, which it sounds like you knew not to do and didn't do.

[NM Golf]

So you did nothing wrong and unlike billchao stated it certainly could not be seen as practicing. Personally, if I have signed up for a tournament and paid my money I am going to hit any and all shots I am allowed to hit. I have never played a scramble that made everyone use one ball on a par 3 but I have played scrambles that made everyone use 4 total drives. I still hit drives even after all my allotted drives had been used. I like to hit golf balls and play golf so...

[chilepepper]

Some folks take scrambles WAY TOO seriously. I go expecting other teams are going to play a bit fast and loose with the rules. I look at them as a fun way to golf with others and raise a bit of cash for a cause, nothing else

Edited September 12, 2017 by chilepepper