If you’re looking for a new golf format to try out, look no further than the shamble.
This game can be enjoyed by golfers of all skill levels and is a great way to improve your overall game.
In this post, we’ll discuss what a golf shamble is, how to play it, and some of the main reasons to play this format!
Here's What We'll Cover
What is a Shamble in golf?
A shamble is a golf format that is similar to a scramble but with one key difference.
In a shamble, each player in the group tees off on each hole.
After the tee shots have been made, the best shot is selected and then each golfer will finish the hole from that location.
Generally speaking, the best score from one individual player is what counts in a shamble, although this can be varied to make the game more interesting.
Shamble vs Scramble: What are the differences?
In a shamble, each player from the group tees off, the best shot is selected, then each golfer finishes the hole on their own from where the best tee shot landed.
On the other hand, in a scramble, each player from the group tees off, the best shot is selected, then each golfer will hit from that location.
You’ll repeat this process until the hole is complete, not just after the tee shot like in the shamble format.
Example hole played in the Shamble format
In the image below, we cover a basic example of a hole played in the Shamble format:
- Each golfer hits their tee shot, and they chose the ball that landed in the fairway.
- Golfer 1 needed four total strokes to complete the hole, while golfer 2 only needed three strokes to finish the hole.
- The team takes the lower score, carding 3 strokes for this hole before moving on to the next hole.
Example hole played in the Scramble format
In the image below, we cover a basic example of a hole played in the Scramble format:
- Each golfer hits their tee shot, and they chose the ball that landed in the fairway.
- After the next shot, one landed on the green while the other landed in the sand.
- They chose the ball on the green, and one of them made a putt resulting in 3 strokes.
- The team cards 3 strokes for this hole before moving on to the next hole.
Final thoughts
Both the shamble and scramble formats are great for groups of all skill levels.
They’re commonly used in tournaments and are a great way to add some competition to your round.
The main difference between the two formats is that in a shamble, each player will finish the hole on their own after the best tee shot is selected.
If you’re looking to mix things up during your next round of golf with friends, we recommend giving the shamble a try!
