By the OAR Team at Wanee Lake Golf & RV Resort

If you have signed up for a charity outing or a company golf day, you have probably seen the word “scramble” on the flyer and wondered what you were getting into. So what is a golf scramble? In short, it is the most beginner friendly, team based format in golf, which is exactly why it shows up at nearly every fundraiser and group event. At Wanee Lake Golf & RV Resort in Ashburn, GA, it is also the format we recommend most for groups who want a relaxed, social round on our 9-hole public course.

Here is how the format works, the variations you will hear about, and how to set one up with your own crew.

What Is a Golf Scramble?

A golf scramble, also called a “captain’s choice,” is a team format where everyone plays toward one shared score instead of their own. It takes the pressure off any single golfer, which is why it works so well for mixed groups of experienced players and total beginners.

The basic flow on every hole looks like this:

1. Everyone tees off. All players on the team hit a drive.
2. The team picks the best shot. You choose whichever ball is in the best position, then mark that spot.
3. Everyone plays from there. Each player hits their next shot from within one club length of the chosen spot, no closer to the hole.
4. Repeat to the cup. Keep selecting the best shot and playing from it until someone holes out. That is your team score for the hole.

A few standard rules keep things fair. You play from the same type of lie as the chosen ball, so if the best drive landed in the rough, everyone hits from the rough. On the green, you place your ball at the exact spot of the best putt rather than a club length away. The USGA treats scrambles as one of golf’s “other forms of play,” which means they sit outside the standard Rules of Golf and the event organizer gets to set the local rules. That flexibility is a big part of why the format is so popular.

Common Scramble Variations

Not every scramble plays the same. Here are the versions you are most likely to run into:

• Standard scramble: The classic. The captain or the group picks the best shot every time, with no extra restrictions.
• Texas scramble: Same idea, but each player’s tee shot has to be used a minimum number of times during the round, often two to four drives per person. This keeps one long hitter from carrying the whole team and gets everyone involved.
• Florida scramble: Whoever’s shot gets chosen sits out the next shot. It adds a little strategy and keeps the pace moving.
• Two-person scramble: A faster, more competitive version for pairs, popular with smaller groups.

Most casual and charity events use the standard four-person scramble because it is the easiest to explain to first timers. If you want a twist, layer in on-course contests like closest to the pin or longest drive to keep everyone in the game to the last putt.

Playing a Scramble on a 9-Hole Course

Most scramble guides assume an 18-hole course, but plenty of great scrambles happen on 9 holes, and our course at Wanee Lake is a good example. A 9-hole scramble is a smart choice for a few reasons.

• It fits a half day. A 9-hole scramble usually wraps in under two hours, which leaves room for lunch, the pool, or a slow afternoon.
• It is friendlier for beginners. Nine holes is long enough to feel like a real round without wearing out casual players or kids.
• You can still play 18. Want the full experience? Loop the 9 twice and play the tees a little differently the second time around for variety.

Our course is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday, closed Mondays except holidays, so most days of the week are open for a group booking. The PGA of America notes that pace of play is one of the biggest factors in whether golfers enjoy a day out, and a 9-hole scramble is one of the easiest ways to keep things moving and fun.

How to Set Up a Group Scramble at Wanee Lake

Wanee Lake was built for exactly this kind of get together. Here is a simple game plan:

• Build your teams. Four players per team is the sweet spot. Mix skill levels so every team has a shot at winning.
• Pick your format. Standard scramble for a laid back day, Texas scramble if you want everyone’s drive to count.
• Add a contest or two. Closest to the pin and longest drive are easy to run and give you a couple of extra prizes to hand out.
• Plan the 19th hole. Our clubhouse has a full bar, a billiards table, and a cafe serving hot dogs, chicken tenders, and fries, so the group has somewhere to land after the round. On Saturday nights, the billiards tournament kicks off at 6pm.

Beyond golf, the resort has a pool, tennis, cornhole, horseshoes, and a dog run, so the non golfers in your group are covered too. If you are traveling in, bring the rig to a full-hookup RV site or book the Georgia Golf Cottage and make a weekend of it. Wanee Lake sits right off I-75 at Exit 82 in Ashburn, which makes it an easy meet up point for groups coming from around South Georgia.

Ready to plan your outing? Book your group stay or call us at (229) 567-2727 to talk through dates and tee times.

Golf Scramble FAQ

How many players are on a scramble team?

Most scrambles use four-person teams, but two and three person teams are common too, especially for smaller groups.

Do you have to be good at golf to play a scramble?

No. The scramble is one of the most beginner friendly formats there is, because the team only counts the best shot on each stroke. New players can contribute without holding anyone back.

What is the difference between a scramble and a captain’s choice?

They are the same thing. “Captain’s choice” refers to the team captain having the final say on which shot to play, but the format itself is a scramble.

How long does a 9-hole scramble take?

Usually under two hours for a four-person team, depending on group size and pace. That is part of why a 9-hole scramble is such an easy sell for a group day.

Now that you know what a golf scramble is, the only thing left is to round up a team. Whether it is a family reunion, a company outing, or a weekend with friends, a scramble at Wanee Lake is a low pressure way to get everyone on the course and having fun.