What Is a Bramble Format in Golf?

A Bramble is one of those golf formats you’ll hear other groups talking about, but it’s often misunderstood. It’s part Scramble, part Best Ball, blending team play and individual performance into one compelling package. This article will walk you through exactly what a Bramble is, how to play it step-by-step, and provide some simple strategies to help your team take home the victory.

What Is a Bramble in Golf? The Simple Explanation

At its heart, a Bramble (sometimes called a Shamble) is a team golf format for groups of two, three, or, most commonly, four players. It starts like a Scramble and finishes like a Best Ball, giving you the best of both worlds. Here’s the core concept: Every player on the team tees off, the team selects the best drive, and then every player plays their own ball from that spot into the hole.

This hybrid format accomplishes two wonderful things. First, it takes the pressure off the tee ball. If you hit a bad drive, it's no big deal - one of your partners is likely to find the fairway. Second, it allows everyone to contribute on every hole by playing their own ball for the approach shot and putt. This makes it a fantastic format for players of all skill levels, from scratch golfers to high-handicappers, because everyone has a chance to be the hero on every a single shot after the drive.

How to Play a Bramble: A Step-by-Step Guide

Understanding the flow of a Bramble is easy once you break it down. Follow these four simple steps on every hole, and your group will be playing like seasoned pros in no time.

Step 1: The Tee Shot (The 'Scramble' Part)

The hole begins just like a standard Scramble. Every player on the team hits their tee shot. Once all players have teed off, the team walks or drives up to the balls and surveys the outcomes.

• All players tee off as normal.
• The team decides which single tee shot is in the best position. This doesn't always mean the longest drive! Sometimes, a shorter shot in the middle of the fairway is strategically better than a mammoth drive that has trickled into the rough.
• Once the best drive is selected, the other players pick up their own balls.

Step 2: Playing from the Chosen Spot (The 'Individual' Part)

This is where the Bramble format diverges from a Scramble and the individual skill comes into play. All players on the team will play their second shot from the location of the selected drive.

• Players place their ball within one club-length of the selected tee shot (no closer to the hole). The typical rule of thumb is that if the selected drive is in the fairway, you play from the fairway. If it's in the rough, you play from the rough.
• From this spot, every player plays their own ball for the rest of the hole. You'll hit your approach shot, chip (if needed), and putt out, just as you would in a normal round of stroke play.
• Each player records their individual score for the hole. For example, if you hit a great approach and one-putt for a birdie 3 from the chosen tee shot, your score for that hole is 3.

Step 3: Scoring the Hole (The 'Best Ball' Part)

Once all players have holed out, the team needs to determine its score for that hole. The event organizer will specify the scoring method, but it usually falls into one of two categories.

One Best Ball (Most Common)

In this version, the team takes only the single lowest individual score on each hole.

Example: After playing from the best tee shot, your team's individual scores are:

• Player A: 4
• Player B: 5
• Player C: 4
• Player D: 6

The team score for the hole is 4.

Two Best Balls (or More)

In a slightly different variation, the tournament might require the team to combine the scores of the two lowest individual scores.

Example: Using the same individual scores from above:

• Player A: 4
• Player B: 5
• Player C: 4
• Player D: 6

The team score for the hole is 8 (4 + 4). Sometimes for a greater challenge, especially with strong teams, a three-best-ball format is used. Always clarify the format with the organizer before you tee off!

Step 4: Repeat for the Round

You follow this process for all 18 holes. Tee off, select the best drive, play your own ball in, and record the team score based on the organizer's format (e.g., one best ball). At the end of the round, the team with the lowest total score wins the tournament.

Strategies for Winning Your Next Bramble Tournament

Playing in a Bramble is fun, but winning one is even better. Beyond just hitting good shots, a little bit of team strategy can make a huge difference in your final score. Here are a few tips to give your team an edge.

Choosing the Right Tee Shot

The "longest drive" isn't always the "best drive." When your team is deciding which tee shot to use, have a quick discussion about the pros and cons of each option.

• Angle is Everything: A 240-yard drive in the middle of the fairway that gives everyone a clear, flat look at the green is often superior to a 270-yard drive that’s tucked behind a tree or sitting on an awkward sidehill lie in the first cut.
• Know Your Team's Strengths: If your team is full of a deadly wedge player, choosing a tee shot that leaves everyone with their favorite 100-yard shot could be the smartest play. This might mean laying back slightly off the tee to hit a specific number.
• Par-3s: This is the easiest choice. Always pick the ball that is closest to the hole, giving your team the best chance at birdie. Don’t overthink it!

Course Management as a Team

Once you are playing your own ball from the prime tee shot location, communication becomes your secret weapon. You're not just four individuals, you're a strategic unit.

• Secure the 'Safe' Score First: In a "one best ball" format, it’s wise to have the first player or two play a high-percentage, conservative shot. Their goal is to guarantee a par on the scorecard. This takes the pressure off the rest of the team.
• Unleash the Aggressive Players: Once a par is safely "on the card," the remaining players can take more risks. They can fire directly at a tucked pin, go for that "hero" flop shot, or try to drain a long birdie putt. If it doesn't work out, it doesn't matter, because the team's par is already secure.
• On Par 5s: After a great drive, let one or two players lay up to a comfortable wedge distance. Then, let the team's bombers go for the green in two. This gives you two chances: a solid look at birdie through a layup, and a potential look at eagle.

Handicaps and You

Most Bramble events are scored on a net basis, which brings each player’s handicap into play. Make sure everyone on the team knows where they get strokes on the scorecard.

• Prioritize Holes with Strokes: On a hole where a teammate gets a handicap stroke, their Net Bogey becomes a Net Par, and their Net Par becomes a Net Birdie. Their score is more valuable on these holes, so the team strategy might shift to ensure their score is the one counted.
• For example: If Player D gets a stroke on the 5th hole and makes a 5 (for a Net 4), and everyone else makes a 4 (for a Net 4), Player D's score is just as good! It frees up other players on the team to be even more aggressive in chasing a natural birdie.

Final Thoughts

The Bramble format is an incredible way to enjoy a day on the course. It perfectly combines the relaxed, social fun of a team scramble with the satisfying challenge of playing your own ball, ensuring everyone feels like they're contributing to The team's success.

Mastering a format like the Bramble comes down to making smarter decisions as a team. From choosing the best tee shot to planning your approach, having reliable strategic advice matters. With a tool like Caddie AI, you get expert guidance right in your pocket. You can ask for a full hole strategy from the tee, get a recommendation when stuck between clubs, or even snap a photo of a difficult lie to learn the best way to play it. This kind of on-demand advice helps you and your teammates make confident choices, turning good opportunities into great scores.