How To Play In A Scramble

The Shot Taker wants to know some secrets to playing well in a Scramble format.    Hmmm..... now that's poses some problems.  You see folks, TST and I host a 2 man tournament every year.  We do pretty well in every format other than Scramble.  So him asking me for advice might be the dumbest thing I can imagine.  As for us, our answer is to play better in the other formats and survive the Scramble segment.  In fact, the way we scramble together, we should probably just call it Scrabble.

For what it's worth, here is my version of what I think is key to playing well in a scramble.

#1- Play within yourself.  You don't need to try shots you know you are not capable of making just because you have a good ball in play.  This screws your swing up for weeks.  Play the game you know.

#2- If you are a "D" player, just relax and play.  In all honesty, the "A" and "B" players do not expect anything from you.  If you happen to chip a ball in or make a long putt, that's just a bonus for the team.  You will serve your team best by putting first and hopefully give the other players some idea about  speed and line.  Just enjoy the day and don't worry about anything.

#3- If you are playing in the "C" position, your job is the role of pressure release.  What that means is you need to put a ball in play off the tee that finds the fairway.  Doing this effecitvely "opens the door" for the two better players behind you.  Don't do anything crazy or risky.  Just try to be conservative and know that if you play your role well, good things are likely to happen behind you from your "B" and "A" players.-

#4- The "B" players role is to improve on what the "C" player did or complete the "C" players role if he was not effective.  The worse thing a "B" player can do is leave his "A" player bare assed.  You want to try to hit the middle of the greens, not go pin hunting.  Save that job for the "A" player.

#5- The "A" players role is to organize his players and put them in the roles they can best serve the team.  For instance, if your "C" player is a better putter than your "B" player, switch their order on the greens.  You need to exude confidence and security to your team.  Make them feel comfortable and take the pressure off of them.  You obviously need to hit good shots and make some putts, but controlling your team is very important.

#6-  Don't get ahead of yourself.  You can't make a birdie on #12 while you are playing #10.  Play each shot as it presents itself and refuse the urge to try to "figure out" what score it is going to take to win.  You are not a friggin' physic.... just play golf shots.

#7- Enjoy the day, even if you are not able to get a putt in the hole to save your life.  You are going to be outside for 5 hours, so make the most of it.  A bad day on the course, beats a good day at work any day in my book!

Coach
"The ShotMaker"