Conference 7.286::golf

    
     Add me to the list.  I HATE scramble (we also call them FLORIDA)
    formats.  They take longer and are dull.  I won't play in another!

    Well, I played in a scramble a few weeks ago for the first time
    and it was interesting but I do have mixed feelings about it. It
    was a lot of fun competing as a team and playing for a common goal
    of the lowest possible score we could get but I never really got
    going that day !! It seems like for me that I need to recover from
    my mistakes also to really get a feel for the game. Also, the teams
    were not fairly divided up and three of our single digit players
    ended up on the same team. As you would expect, they clobbered
    the rest of the field. As a game, it was fun but lacked a lot of
    the excitment that you face when you have to play all of your own
    shots good and bad. Because I was having an especially bad day off
    the tees the hardest part was finding two good drives during the
    day fir the team to play. All four players had to contribute two
    tee shots somewhere during the round and I was really wild. Finally
    hit my last counter on 18!!! We would have had to use it anyway
    so I was really glad it found the fairway. All in all, it was
    a fun day but I don't think I would want to play the scramble format
    more than once or twice a year(although we have just signed up
    for the Oldsmobile qualifier).
                                  
    THE MAD HACKER

    We used to play this as a warm-up in the morning of a days golf
    (we called it a Strathcona). I wouldn't play it all the time, but
    it was quite enjoyable and breaks up the monotiny of stroke play
    all the while.
    

I think scrambles are an entertaining and rewarding variation on the 
theme. As I understand it from my readings, scotchies, scrambles, and 
other shared-play alternatives to straight me-against-the-world golf 
has had a strong tradition in the game almost from it's beginning and 
overseas is considered every bit as ligitimate as a form of
competition. Only in America, land of the free, individualist,
entrepreneur, etc. are scrambles and their ilk generally frowned upon.
Too bad. It's a nice change of pace. Not something I'd like to play in 
all the time, but it offers a refreshing counterpoint to the rat-race 
we're caught up in off the course--and sometimes on.

    I also really enjoy playing in scrambles.  Althoough I wouldn't
    want to play them all the time they are a nice change of pace. 
    The thing I like most is it gives golfers of all calibers, especially
    the high handicapper the chance to contribute to a team low score.
    It gives them the chance to play tee shots from places they have
    never been before,  to be on par 5's in two or to be putting for
    birdies on long par 3's.  I've played quite a few and its usually
    the 20 handicapper that sinks the 20 footer for birdie or chips
    one real close to the pin.  This only strengthens their love for
    the game by seeing that they can play the game and contribute.
    I'm all for them,  but then again I play for enjoyment and relaxation,
    winning is just something that happens once in a while.  8^)
    
    	Mike

    
    	I have a positive vote for scambles and agree with what Mike
    	had to say about them. There are also scrambles that are played
    	with all 4 members being quite good golfers, but I have yet
    	to play in one of them. So scrambles aren't simply made up of
    	the typical A, B, C, and D players... I also enjoy the types
    	of scrambles were you can only play with three (or what ever
    	number) of clubs... Or playing in a damn fromat at all, as
    	long as it is on the golf course....!!!!
    
    
    	Gene

    We have a scramble every other Sun during June and August.  The most
    rewarding thing about them is the opportunity they afford you to meet
    the other members of the club.  Our pro makes up the teams and there is
    always someone new to meet.  I do have one problem with them though...
    I get in the habit of bombing the ball off the tee and it carries over
    to my regular play sometimes(when I can't afford even 1 OB tee shot).
    
    Rick

    It's interesting to me to see how much support Scramble have.  I
    must say, though, that the issue with me has nothing to do with
    individualism or competition.  A scramble is a competition.  What
    I like to do is simply play golf, humans against the courses.
    This particular scramble involves non-golfers, as opposed to simply
    high handicappers.  I'm talking about people who do not have clubs
    and have never attempted to swing at a golf ball before.  
    
    Ultimately, though, I guess I like to play golf.  As far as 
    scrambles are concerned, well, why not save money and just
    hit balls on the range?
    
    
    

    The course I play at holds scotches and scrambles regularly
    once or twice a month on Friday nights. These tourneys bring
    in lots of people with wide ranges of handicaps. We set up
    the teams according to  handicap, blind draw...that is, we
    divide the players up into groups according to handicap and
    pick one from each group (scrambles, of course--scotches are
    also blind draw, but somehow the teams usually come out pretty
    even.)
    
    My husband has the same attitude about scotches as the golfer
    who started this file--he has never played in one, however.
    It's all in your attitude. If you play a lot of golf anyway,
    a scotch or a scramble is simply for fun...no serious competitions.
    This type of tournament certainly doesn't measure the individuals
    skill.
    
    It's also fun to use different strategies when playing with golfers
    who are better than you, and you can afford to take added risks because
    you have more than one shot at it. And it usually does work out that
    everyone has something to contribute to the team, whether it be
    putting or chipping or being able to really wail on the ball. I for
    one am not a long hitter, and it's fun to be able to put the second
    shot of the hole on the green for a change.
    
    Anyway, take a positive attitude and you'll have fun--this game is
    supposed to be fun, right?

>    This particular scramble involves non-golfers, as opposed to simply
>    high handicappers.  I'm talking about people who do not have clubs
>    and have never attempted to swing at a golf ball before.  

   That has got to be hell on earth for any real golfer.  (Unless it is
   playing with someone who you are trying to teach the game. But then
   of course they've been to the range, you've played your normal round,
   and are out on the course in the late afternoon.)

   It is even worse if it is a tournament where they are drinking on the
   course.  
    
>    Ultimately, though, I guess I like to play golf.  As far as 
>    scrambles are concerned, well, why not save money and just
>    hit balls on the range?

   I liked the only scramble I played in.  It isn't the same as playing your
   own round, or playing in a match.  It is totally a different type of
   golf.  If you are matched evenly A, B, C, & D players on a team it gives
   you all a chance to feel like a pro.  (We went unconcious as a team and
   made 4 straight birds).  A scramble is also good for going out & getting
   in several quick holes of practice after a league.  You are always hitting
   from a spot like your last shot was a good one.

   Besides at least the course varies.  Hitting balls is so boring.  Playing
   the same shot over & over again. ;-)


    Larry

    I guess I am still missing the point of the golfers who enjoy
    scrambles. Note .9 was quite good; I would like to take a positive
    attitude.  Here is what I really don't understand: if it is nice
    for a change to hit your second shot on the green, well - where
    is the fun, or sense of accomplishment, if it isn't your drive you
    are hitting?  I mean, why not play your own scramble.  If you don't
    like your drive, move it up 50 yards so you can go for the green.
    If you miss a putt, give it a few more drives.  The essence of golf,
    to me, is not competition, team or individual.  It is that you play
    it as it lies, and you have one chance for every shot, and out of
    this you try to fashion a decent score.  As Sam Snead put it, in
    golf you play your foul balls.  In scramble, you don't.  
    
    By the way - I am only able to play golf about 6 or 7 times a year.
    I might feel different about the occasional scramble if I played
    regularly.
     
    re
    

    	Well you just hit the nail on the head!!!  If you only play
    6 or 7 times a year, then I can understand your dislike of the scramble
    format.  But for other golfer who play anywhere from 1 to 5 times
    a week, a scramble once in a while is fun.  I really enjoy them.
    I also really enjoy playing my own ball.  A scramble gives you the
    opportunity to hit some shots you mormally wouldn't too, and see
    the results, on the course.  Anyone can attempt to hit a low fade
    on a range.  But attempting a low fade under some branches to a
    small green a 175 yds away and seeing the result is much different.
    When in a scramble, you can have the 1st or 1st and 2nd golfers,
    play a relatively safe shot, and leave a gambling shot for the other
    2.  You also have the opportunity of having 1 or 2 players lag a
    downhill breaking putt, and allowing the other 2 to go for it!!!
    There are a lot of disadvantages to playing scramble formats, but
    as a change of pace, it really is a fun way to enjoy a round of
    golf.  You also mentioned that the one you play in has a lot of
    people who hardly ever play in the tournament and that bothers you.
    Well, I don't know you or your level of play, but considering you
    only play golf 5 or 6 times a year, how do you think the people
    on your team who play 3 or more times a week feel, with you on their
    team?  They probably enjoy the format, whereas you don't, and if
    you're complaining about it on the course, (I don't know if you
    do), it would probably really bother them.
    	In any event, to each his or her own, and I for one do enjoy
    the format.  Another way to do it is have a 2 man scramble, using
    handicaps and having only gross prizes.  These are fun too.
    
    Beak

    I usually play as a high "C" or a low "B" in the club
    scrambles,(depending on the type of A player on my team... I'm a "B"
    only when we have an outstanding "A" player).  One of the nice aspects
    of scrambles is having MOST of the team depending on you to hit good
    iron shots to the green.  The added pressure of carrying 2 other
    players makes me concentrate more sometimes.  I don't putt very well,
    so I enjoy watching a "D" or "E" (we play fivesomes sometimes) sink a
    long putt and get ecstatic about helping us win something!  The team
    approach is a BUNCH of fun.
    
    P.S.  I play about 54 holes a week... so it's a nice change of pace!!
    
    Rick

    Sorry, but I have to respond to note .12.  I don't have a problem
    with people playing who seldom play in the tournament; I have a
    problem playing with people who have never, even once in their lives,
    been on a golf course or swung a golf club.  As for the other people
    in the group playing with myself, who plays only a few times a year,
    I still manage to get around in the 80's.
    
    BUT I STILL DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT A SCRAMBLE DOES THAT YOU CANNOT
    DO YOURSELF!  If you want to move up your drive, go for a downhill
    putt, hit a low fade around a tree, well, do it!  But why impose
    a format on those who would rather play golf than scramble?
    

    You pays your money and you make your choice! End of story?
    

    RE .14
    	Who imposed a scramble on you???  Didi someone twist your arm
    until you screamed, YES, YES, YES, I'LL PLAY!!!  My last reply was
    not meant as a knock on you, just explaining why I liked scrambles
    and had different opinions than you.  
    	If I was playing my own ball, and had a low fade under a tree
    from 175 yards, I would just punch the ball out in front, and hope
    for a chip and putt to hole out.  In a scramble, if the 1st or 2nd
    player had already punched out, obviously I could do no better by
    trying the same, safe shot, so I would attempt the low fade under
    the tree and try for the green.  That's why I can't do it on a course
    playing my own ball.  It's too risky and more often then not, leads
    to a double bogey instead of a par or bogey.  But in a scramble,
    I can try some things I normally wouldn't and see the results on
    the course.  I only play twice a week, about 27 holes, but even
    with that, I find an occassional scramble fun.  If you can't see
    where that's fun, then I feel sorry for you, but that's your choice,
    and I would NEVER, EVER, EVER force anyone to play in a tournament
    they do not wish to play in.  You have to try and please the majority,
    and I'm sure more than half like the format of scrambles.
    
    Beak

    
    RE.16
    
      The point Beak is trying to make about trying the shot you wouldn't
    try is a serious match I can understand.  But the situation he
    describes is one of the reasons I don't like the format.  It takes
    longer to play eighteen holes.  The selection process of which ball
    to play holds up play.  At our course, on a normal Sunday it takes
    about four hours to complete a round, with the scramble it takes
    over five.  A big reason for that  is slower play but more than
    likely because of more participants. ( The latter is the only
    positive thing, in my opinion, more people play ).  Last time we
    played scramble, 24 low-handicap members formed thier own tournament
    and teed-off during the shot-gun stye scramble organized by the
    tournament committee.  Talk about opposition to scrambles, even
    to the point of violating the spirit of of a club!

    Joel, you are flogging a dead horse!!! If the scramble format doesn't
    suit you and you never want to play in another one thats fine. Some
    of us however like a little variation in the golf games we play.
    I do play like you describe at times when I am by myself, late in
    the evening on a course. I might try several ways to get a ball
    to the green or around or overor under some obstacle. A scramble
    is just another game that someone thought up. I think of it as more
    of a social game though and not a real meaningful form of competition.
    It is too bad that you had to play your first scramble with a bunch
    of non-golfers as I feel that has a lot to do with the experience
    that you had. Maybe someday, with the right crowd, you'll give it
    another chance.
    
    THE MAD HACKER

    There is Western ma. there is a group of guys that get together
    twice a yesr to play. Usually there are from 24 to 32 guys that
    play. Teams are developed and a scramble is played. We go out
    for 36 holes of scramble golf. Most teams have a 3-6 handicapper
    for the A man and a 20+ handicapper for the D man. The other two
    fall somewhere in between. In most cases the high handicapper helps
    out within 150 yrds of the green and on the green. To win a team
    usually will post a score of 8-16 under par. I'd say that that's
    competitive golf for teams with a combined handicap of 40. The holes
    are also played scratch. 
    I myself like to play my own ball but a few times a year this format
    is enjoyable. I also like to play Best ball but with a large group
    of guys it's rather difficult to make up equitable teams.
    
    
    Tom 

    
      There are multiple formats for scramble type tournaments.  I had
    previously said I disliked Florida-style foursome events because
    of how slow they were to play in.  But, yesterday I played in a
    two man "Scotch" tournament, selected drives, alternate shots, half
    the combined handicaps.  It was a good format, faster than most
    tournaments, and actually fun to play in.  SO, I'll eat half of
    the crow for over generalizing......