My Unpopular Golf Opinion: I Think Texas Scramble Is A Terrible Format
Joel Tadman explains why he dislikes Texas Scramble, a golfing format that most view as entertaining and enjoyable...
Golf has a seemingly endless list of fun formats designed to bring the wide range of abilities we all possess closer together, add some enjoyment to our rounds and spice up the monotony of 18-hole stroke play. But there’s one format I just can’t stand any more.
Back in my youth I was partial to the occasional Texas Scramble, but now, I’m done with it – I never want to play in one again and if an invite comes my way, it’ll likely get declined, even if the golf course appeals or the company top tier.
Why the negativity towards a scramble, I hear you ask? Well it’s just not golf, is it? Not proper golf anyway. Call me a traditionalist, but I like to play my ball where it lies. If I hit my longest ever drive, I want to reap the rewards of that and if I hit a bad drive, I want the opportunity to make amends with an exquisite recovery shot. But in a scramble, this luxury is often taken away from you.
Most Texas Scrambles require a team of four to use at least four drives from each player, which I completely understand as a mechanism for equalisation – you can’t have a team with a particularly competent driver taking 14 tee shots from one player.
But there’s not many worse feelings in golf than bombing a 290 yard drive down the center of the fairway, only to be told we’re taking Ken’s 180-yard effort instead as we’re not going to fulfil his quota. It often leads to good drivers not hitting a tee shot at all towards the end of a round, which again, just isn’t golf.
Just not realistic
The scoring in a Texas Scramble is often ridiculously low and hardly realistic to the competencies of amateur players. If you’re not birdieing every hole, you’re usually falling behind, which places an inordinate amount of pressure on everyone involved and if you make some pars or even a bogey early on, your day is ruined almost before it began.
As well as getting four attempts at every shot, another reason the scoring is so low in a scramble is because you get a look at the exact line and pace of every putt you’ll face as a team (assuming you don’t go first, of course). Again, this takes away the skill and judgement required when trying to hole a critical putt, a challenge I really enjoy and one where I feel I have a competitive advantage.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
I’m well aware I’m in the minority here (certainly the comments on social media would suggest this when we published a video on this subject), and I am perhaps exaggerating the point for dramatic effect, but I stand by the premise of this piece.
Of all the formats available to golfers, the Texas Scramble is the worst and I’ll continue to make every effort to avoid them on my home club’s event calendar.
Perhaps I’m not a team player, but I love pairs better-ball match play, so I think the problem lies with the format, which if banished from the game I’d be secretly delighted about.
Joel has worked in the golf industry for over 14 years covering both instruction and more recently equipment. He now oversees all equipment and video content at Golf Monthly, managing a team of talented and passionate writers and presenters in delivering the most thorough and accurate reviews, buying advice, comparisons and deals to help the reader or viewer find exactly what they are looking for.
One of his career highlights came when covering the 2012 Masters he got to play the sacred Augusta National course on the Monday after the tournament concluded, shooting a respectable 86 with just one par and four birdies. To date, his best ever round of golf is a 5-under 67 back in 2011. He currently plays his golf at Burghley Park Golf Club in Stamford, Lincs, with a handicap index of 2.8.
Joel's current What's In The Bag?
Driver: Titleist TSR3, 9°, Fujikura Ventus Black 6 S shaft.
Fairway wood: Titleist TSR3, 15°
Hybrid: Titleist TSi2, 18°
Irons: Titleist T150, 4-PW
Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM10, 50°, 54° and 58°
Putter: LAB Golf DF3
Ball: 2023 Titleist Pro V1x
-
Tiger Woods To Make PNC Championship Return Alongside Son Charlie
The 15-time Major winner is set to tee it up for the first time since back surgery in September, with Team Woods making their fifth appearance in the tournament
By Matt Cradock Published
-
These Drivers Are Being Replaced In 2025 So Now Is The Best Time To Grab a Deal
New drivers look to be on the way early in 2025 so now is a great time to pick up some notable discounts models that impressed us this year
By Conor Keenan Published