A turkey shoot in golf has nothing to do with hunting and everything to do with having a fantastic time on the course. It’s a popular, informal tournament format, usually held around Thanksgiving, where the prizes are often exactly what the name suggests - frozen turkeys. This article will walk you through exactly what a turkey shoot is, the common formats you'll play, some of the wild and fun rules you might encounter, and the best strategies to help your team take home the grand prize.
At its heart, a turkey shoot is a social golf event designed for maximum fun and minimal stress. It's the opposite of a stuffy, serious competition. Instead of individual golfers grinding over every shot for their own score, you're almost always playing on a team. The atmosphere is light, friendly, and all about camaraderie. You'll see golfers of all skill levels participating, from seasoned single-digit handicaps to absolute beginners who have never played in an event before.
The name comes from the tradition of holding these events in the fall, particularly around the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States. While the top prize is very often a big frozen turkey, you'll also see other festive prizes like hams, pumpkin pies, or gift cards to the local grocery store. It's a way for a golf club to bring its members and their guests together one last time before the winter season hits, celebrating community and sport in a relaxed setting.
The bottom line is that a turkey shoot is less about personal bests and more about teamwork, fun shots, and enjoying a day on the links with friends.
Because the emphasis is on fun and including players of all abilities, turkey shoots almost always use a team format. This takes the pressure off any single player and ensures everyone contributes. Here are the most popular formats you’ll encounter.
The scramble is by far the most common format for a turkey shoot, and for good reason - it’s easy to understand and allows every player to feel like a hero. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how a four-person scramble works on a single hole:
The beauty of a scramble is that it minimizes the damage from a bad shot. If you top your tee shot, no big deal! One of your teammates probably hit a great one. This format lets weaker players contribute (they might sink a key putt or hit a perfect approach) while allowing stronger players to play aggressively.
A Best Ball format, sometimes called Four-Ball, is another popular team game, though it requires a bit more individual play than a scramble. It's important not to confuse the two.
Here’s how it works:
For example, if the four players on Team A score a 4, 5, 6, and 4 on the first hole, the team score is a 4. This format allows for a different kind of strategy. If one player is in a good position to make a par or birdie, their partner can play more aggressively, going right for a tough pin because they know there's a good "safety" score already in the bag.
A Shamble is a fun and increasingly popular format that blends the best parts of a scramble and best ball. It's a great choice if you want the benefit of a good tee shot but also want to play your own ball.
A shamble keeps everyone more engaged on every shot since they are playing their own ball into the green, but it still gives everyone a great start thanks to the best-drive format.
What truly sets a turkey shoot apart are the unique, often hilarious "buy-in" rules designed to raise a little extra money (usually for charity or the club) and make the round even more entertaining. If you see these offered at registration, it's a good idea to participate!
These wacky rules add a layer of strategy and fun. Deciding when to use your mulligan or that last bit of string is part of what makes the day so memorable.
Even though it’s all for fun, winning is still pretty great, especially when a 20-pound turkey is on the line. Here are some strategies, especially for the common scramble format, to give your team the edge.
If you get to pick your own team, don't just pick your three best-golfer friends. A balanced team is far more dangerous. The ideal four-person scramble team has:
The order in which your players hit can have a huge impact on your success. A little strategy goes a long way.
The conventional wisdom is solid here. Let your most consistent player hit first. Their job is to get a ball in the fairway - “one in the playable zone.” With a safe shot secured, your other players, especially the Bomber, are freed up to swing away without fear. Let the Bomber hit last for a chance at a mega-drive.
The logic is similar. Have your safest iron player go first to get a ball on the green. Once a ball is safely on the putting surface, your more aggressive players can take dead aim at the flag, knowing a mis-hit won't kill the team’s chances.
This is where scrambles are won and lost. Your best putter should almost always go last. Why? Because they get to see the line and speed of the putt from their three teammates' attempts. Let the less confident putters take a run at it first. They might make it! But if not, they are giving your anchor putter critical information to help them roll it in.
Finally, remember what the day is about. Cheer on your teammates’ good shots and quickly forget their bad ones. Laugh at shanks, celebrate long putts, and thank the course staff and organizers. The best strategy of all is to have a good attitude. When you're relaxed and having fun, you and your team will likely play your best golf anyway.
At the end of the day, a turkey shoot is simply a golf event that prioritizes teamwork and fun over individual achievement. It's a chance to play in a low-pressure format like a scramble, enjoy the company of friends, and maybe even head home with the main course for a future holiday dinner.
Figuring out the smartest play in a team format isn't always obvious. In a scramble, for example, deciding when to play aggressively versus conservatively on a tough Par 5 can be a challenging call. This is where getting objective, expert advice on the spot is incredibly valuable. With our Caddie AI, you can get instant, course-specific strategy for any situation. You can even snap a photo of a tricky lie to get a clear recommendation on how to play it, giving your team the knowledge to make confident decisions and take home that turkey.
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