A shamble golf tournament is a format in which teammates choose the best drive, and then each person plays their own ball from there.
A shamble is a scramble off the tee and then best ball from the second shot on.
It’s typically played in foursomes but can also be played in groups of two or three.
Shamble Golf Format
Here is how it works:
- All four players tee off.
- As a group, they decide which tee shot is best.
- All other players pick up their ball and move it to the selected tee shot.
- All players, including the selected drive, can lift, clean, and place their ball within one club length of the selected drive, no nearer to the hole.
- All players then play their second shot.
- From this point on, all four players play their own ball until they hole out.
Golf Shamble Rules
The one-club rule is the main rule to be aware of.
Once the team selects the best drive, all players will move their ball to the selected drive.
The drive will be marked with a tee or some object and all players are permitted to clean their golf balls.
All players, including the selected drive, may then place their ball within one club length of the marker, no nearer to the hole.
There are one caveat to be aware of:
The one club rule cannot be used to change the surface that the selected drive is on.
For example, the one club rule cannot be used to move all shots out of a bunker, or from the rough to the fairway, or from the fringe to the green.
Shamble Scoring
Best ball scoring is commonly used, where only the lowest (best) score on each hole counts.
That said, scoring could include any combination of all four scores:
- Low score counts.
- Low and high score counts.
- Low two balls or low three balls count.
- Or any other unique combination.
Benefits
It keeps the game moving quicker, as everyone (usually) is hitting their second shot from a good position.
This also can make it more fun for newer or more recreational players as they don’t have to deal with poor drives that go out of bounds or into hazards.
It’s a more competitive format than a full scramble because it requires all players to play their own ball for the majority of each hole.
Variations
Minimum Number Of Drives
Often, a team will be required to use a certain number of drives from each player.
This eliminates the possibility of a team being able to use the drives of one very good player on every hole.
Typically, in foursomes, a team will be required to use a minimum of two drives from each player in the group.
Handicaps
Handicaps are also commonly used in shamble tournaments.
Usually, a percentage, like 80% of a players index, is used for scoring purposes.
Par 3’s
Most tournaments designate par 3 holes as best ball holes the whole way.
Instead of selecting the best tee shot, each player will play their own ball from tee to hole out.
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