Ever showed up to a tournament and saw Scotch Scramble on the schedule, only to wonder if it was a golf format or the special at the 19th hole? It’s a fantastic two-person team game that blends the best part of a scramble with the strategic challenge of alternate shot. This guide will walk you through exactly what a Scotch Scramble is, how to play it step-by-step, and the simple strategies you and a partner can use to play your best.
A Scotch Scramble, sometimes known as a "Modified Pinehurst" or "Greensomes," is a two-player team format that puts a fun twist on the standard scramble. Like a regular scramble, both players tee off and select the single best drive. But here’s the crucial difference: from that point on, the team plays alternate shot until the ball is holed out.
The twist is in who hits the second shot. The player whose drive was not chosen is the one who hits the next shot. Let's break that down:
This simple rule creates a fantastic dynamic. It prevents one dominant player from hitting all the key shots and forces you to play as a real team, thinking one or two shots ahead about how to set your partner up for success.
Understanding the flow of a Scotch Scramble is easy once you walk through a hole. Let's imagine you and your buddy Mike are playing a 420-yard par-4 with a dogleg right.
Just like a normal scramble, both you and Mike hit your drives from the teeing ground. Since you know you only need one good ball, this is a great opportunity for both players to swing freely. Usually, the first player will try to hit a "safe" one in the fairway, giving the second player the green light to take a more aggressive line and try to cut the corner.
You go first and hit a solid drive, but it catches the left side of the fairway. Mike, feeling confident with a ball already in play, takes on the dogleg and stripes one, leaving the team in a perfect position just 140 yards from the green.
This is the first big decision. You and Mike drive up and analyze the two shots. Your ball is safe in the fairway but further back, maybe 170 yards out. Mike's drive is aggressive, shorter, and in the perfect spot. The choice is obvious: you pick up your ball and play from Mike's location.
Here's the key rule in action. Because you selected Mike's drive, it is now your turn to hit the second shot. Mike has done his job by putting the team in a prime position, now it's up to you to execute the approach.
You're at the 140-yard mark, a comfortable 8-iron for you. You take your swing and put the ball on the green, about 20 feet from the hole. Great shot!
From here on out, it’s standard alternate shot. Since you hit the second shot (the approach), it is now Mike's turn to putt. He sizes up the 20-footer and gives it a good roll, leaving it just a foot past the hole. It's now your turn again. You step up and confidently tap in the short putt for par.
The sequence for a par was:
You write down a "4" on the scorecard for the team and head to the next tee, ready to do it all over again. The teamwork and strategy make every hole a fun and engaging challenge.
Playing well in a Scotch Scramble isn't just about hitting good shots - it's about thinking like a team. As a coach, this is where I see the biggest opportunity for players to gain an edge.
The most important element of strategy is understanding what type of shots each player excels at. Before the round, have a frank conversation.
Knowing this will tell you how to approach every tee shot. For example, if your partner is an incredible wedge player, you might choose your shorter drive if it leaves them at their favorite 100-yard distance, even if their drive is 30 yards further up.
That "best ball" decision off the tee is everything. It's not always about distance. Position is often more important. Sometimes, the player who is better with their long irons shouldn't hit the longest drive. Why? Because you want to give them the next shot! Let’s say you’re the phenomenal iron player on the team. Your main goal after the tee shot is to make sure you are the one holding the iron for the approach. That means you should try to have your partner's drive be the better of the two.
This creates a fun mind game on the tee box. On a short par-4, if you hit a great drive, your partner might even hit a 3-iron off the tee just to ensure you're the one hitting the delicate wedge shot in.
Never make a decision in a vacuum. Before teeing off on each hole, talk it through.
This continuous conversation keeps you both on the same page and helps you make the smartest choices under pressure.
People often get this format confused with others. Here’s a quick-and-easy comparison to clear things up.
In a regular scramble, the team chooses the best shot every single time, and any player can hit the next one. This usually allows the best player on the team to hit the majority of the important shots (e.g., the best driver always tees off, the best iron player always hits the approach). A Scotch Scramble is more of a true team effort because the alternate-shot rule forces both players to contribute in different situations.
In a traditional Alternate Shot format, one player is designated to tee off on the odd-numbered holes, and the other tees off on the even-numbered holes. You're stuck with that tee shot, no matter how good or bad it is. The Scotch Scramble is far more forgiving because it allows a "mulligan" for one of the tee shots, letting you start every hole from the best possible position.
If you haven't played this format before, I strongly encourage you to give it a try. It’s a fantastic game for a few reasons:
A Scotch Scramble is a brilliant format that tests your skills, strategy, and partnership all at once. By combining the safety net of a "best ball" drive with the pressure of alternate shot, it delivers a fresh and engaging way to experience the golf course. Focus on clear communication and leveraging each other’s strengths, and you’ll have a fantastic day out.
Making smart decisions is what this format is all about. Sometimes, in the heat of the moment, deciding which drive to take or what the best play is for an approach shot can be tough for any team. That’s where we designed Caddie AI to act as your objective on-course strategist. You and your partner can describe the hole layout to get an instant strategy or even ask for a specific club recommendation to handle a tricky approach. We built it to be like having a tour-level caddie helping you and your partner navigate the course and make the best call, together.
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