Tournament Format: Reverse Scramble
by
Jeremiah Bohannon
on
Sep 26, 2013
We’ve discussed golf’s scramble format in the past. In a typical scramble, a group of 2-4 players plays the best shot of the group for each subsequent shot. As a result, scramble competitions typically end up with very low scores.
Reverse Scramble
In a reverse scramble, the opposite is played with regards to the best shot. Rather than the group playing the best shot, the worst shot is played as the group’s ball. This format will definitely not result in low scores!
Example
Two players are grouped in a 2-man scramble. Each player tees off on the par-4 first hole. Player A’s ball is in the middle of the fairway while Player B’s ball ends up in a fairway bunker. The reverse scramble format requires that the group pick the worst of the two positions, so they must play their 2nd shots from the fairway bunker.
Player A’s shot from the fairway bunker hits the center of the green. Player B’s shot however, reaches a greenside bunker. Once again, the group must pick the worst of the two shots, the greenside bunker.
Player A’s shot misses the green and ends up on the fringe. Player B’s bunker shot goes to two feet from the hole. The group must pick the worst of the two, the shot on the fringe.
Both players putt from the fringe. One ball ends up two feet and the other four feet from the hole. The group must now play the ball which is four feet.
Both players make the four foot putt.
Score for the group: a bogey five
Conclusion
The reverse scramble format can be quite a challenge. The format will also take more time to play and should only be played when the course is not busy or when time is not an issue.
We’ve discussed golf’s scramble format in the past. In a typical scramble, a group of 2-4 players plays the best shot of the group for each subsequent shot. As a result, scramble competitions typically end up with very low scores.
Reverse Scramble
In a reverse scramble, the opposite is played with regards to the best shot. Rather than the group playing the best shot, the worst shot is played as the group’s ball. This format will definitely not result in low scores!
Example
Two players are grouped in a 2-man scramble. Each player tees off on the par-4 first hole. Player A’s ball is in the middle of the fairway while Player B’s ball ends up in a fairway bunker. The reverse scramble format requires that the group pick the worst of the two positions, so they must play their 2nd shots from the fairway bunker.
Player A’s shot from the fairway bunker hits the center of the green. Player B’s shot however, reaches a greenside bunker. Once again, the group must pick the worst of the two shots, the greenside bunker.
Player A’s shot misses the green and ends up on the fringe. Player B’s bunker shot goes to two feet from the hole. The group must pick the worst of the two, the shot on the fringe.
Both players putt from the fringe. One ball ends up two feet and the other four feet from the hole. The group must now play the ball which is four feet.
Both players make the four foot putt.
Score for the group: a bogey five
Conclusion
The reverse scramble format can be quite a challenge. The format will also take more time to play and should only be played when the course is not busy or when time is not an issue.
