A Twist on a Four-Golfer Scramble Worth Trying
A simple tee-box rule that keeps every scramble competitive from the first tee to the eighteenth green.
Sometimes the best golf ideas don’t come from the www. They come from a random conversation in the parking lot after your round.
That happened to us yesterday after finishing our round on the South Course at Bay of Quinte Golf & Country Club.
As we were unloading our cart after the round, we got chatting with a couple of fellows who had just wrapped up a four-man scramble on the North Course. They were part of a group of over 30 golfers, playing scramble format with an interesting twist, and naturally, we wanted to hear the details.
Each team starts their round from the white tees.
Every time a team made a birdie, they had to move back one set of tee blocks on the next hole.
Every time a team failed to make par and carded a bogey or worse, they moved forward one set of tee blocks.
The only exception was the par threes. They played every par three from the white tees and added a closest-to-the-pin competition to keep things interesting.
The guys we spoke to birdied their way back to the tips once. They stayed there for one hole.
I had to ask how they finished - Four under par.
That’s some tidy golf, especially when the course keeps getting longer whenever you make a birdie.
A Great Equalizer
The more I thought about it, the more I liked the idea.
Most charity tournaments and corporate golf outings use a four-person scramble because it’s social, fast-paced, and gives golfers of every skill level a chance to contribute.
The challenge is that stronger teams can sometimes run away with the tournament.
This simple tee-block rule helps level the playing field. Birdie a hole? Congratulations... you’ve earned yourself a longer drive on the next tee. Make a bogey or worse? You get a little break by moving up.
It’s an effective way to reward good play without letting one hot team pull away from the field.
We Had Our Own Game Going
Our group only had three golfers yesterday, so we played one of our favourite three-player games, the Nines Game. You can learn how to play the Nines Game HERE.
Did I win yesterday?
Unfortunately, not. Not even close.
Did I have fun?
Absolutely!
That’s the beauty of little side games. Whether it’s the Nines Game or one of the many other golf games, they add another layer of fun to an already great day on the golf course.
Give It a Try
If you’re organizing a charity tournament, a corporate outing, or even just a weekend scramble with friends, this moving-tee format is worth considering. It’s easy to explain, costs nothing to implement, and keeps everyone engaged from the first tee to the eighteenth green.
Golf doesn’t always have to be about chasing a personal best or posting your lowest score.
Sometimes it’s simply about sharing a few laughs, trying something new, and creating another story to tell in the parking lot afterward.
And really, isn’t that what recreational golf is all about?
Oh, One More Thing
I gave the two gentlemen we met in the parking lot one of my Hungry Golfer cards. I told them I write golf stories as a hobby, but don’t worry, I would never offer tips on how to master this great game. I’m still trying to figure that out myself.
A few hours after arriving home, I noticed that two new subscribers had signed up for The Hungry Golfer.
We never exchanged names, so I can’t say for certain they were the same two fellows. But if they were, thanks for subscribing, and welcome to the Hungry Golfer team.
Happy Golfing, Everyone.
Stay safe. Stay well. Have fun.
Richard