Scramble Putting Rules: Gimmes, Continuous Putting and Marking

There's no single set of scramble putting rules. Your rules sheet sets the policy, usually one of three options: hole everything, allow gimmes inside a stated length that's the same for every team, or allow continuous putting to help pace. Once one putt drops, the hole is done, and the team records one score.

Here's how to set it up so nobody argues on the green.

How to run the green in a scramble (step by step)

Check the rules sheet. It says whether gimmes are allowed and whether continuous putting is on.
Mark the chosen ball. Once the team picks the best approach or chip, mark it with a coin.
Place your balls. Each player places within the event's placement rule, no nearer the hole.
Putt in the order you agreed. The sheet or the team decides who goes first.
Stop when one putt drops. Nobody else needs to hole out.
Count the strokes. One team score for the hole, gimme strokes included.
The scorer enters the score. Once the hole is done, one person puts it in the app.
Sign the card. At the end of the round, the captain checks it and signs, plus anyone else the sheet names.

The three putting policies

Pick one and put it on the rules sheet. Every team plays the same way.

1. Hole everything. No gimmes at all. Every putt gets holed. It's the fairest option, especially if you're running net prizes or flights, because nobody gets a free stroke.

2. Gimmes inside a stated length. Short putts can be conceded, but only inside a length the sheet spells out. That length has to be the same for every team. A common example is "inside the leather", measured against a putter. That's an example, not a standard. Your event picks its own and writes it down.

A gimme still counts as a stroke. If the team is conceded a tap-in, add one to the score.

3. Continuous putting. Some events let a player who leaves a putt close carry on and tap it in, rather than marking it. It keeps the group moving. But if you tap in before your teammates have putted from the original mark, your ball is holed and the hole is done. The team loses its chance to one-putt from there, so it's the team's call each time.

You can combine policies. For example, hole everything but allow continuous putting. Just say so on the sheet.

Marking and placing on the green

Marking on the green follows the event's ball-placement rule. Many events use a putter-head or scorecard length from the chosen ball, no nearer the hole. Some say "same spot" only.

Mark the chosen ball with a coin, then place each ball beside the mark. Don't stand on the next player's line. The full detail is in scramble ball placement rules.

Putting order

Putting order is whatever the rules sheet says. Many sheets leave it to the team.

A common approach is to send one player first to show the break, then let the others learn from it. Some teams save their steadiest putter for last. Either way, keep it moving.

When the hole is done

In a scramble, the hole is done once one putt drops. The team takes that score. Nobody else needs to hole out, and nobody putts again for a better number.

This is where one team score matters. Don't concede a gimme for the team score and then play on for something else. One ball in the hole, one number on the card.

Scoring it

The team records one score per hole. The scorer enters it in the app once the hole is done, not halfway through the putting. At the end of the round, the captain signs the card, plus anyone else the sheet names. Scramble team captain duties covers the rest of the job.

Any arguments stay inside the group and get settled before the score goes in. If the group can't agree, check the rules sheet or ask the committee.

Scrambled Eggs is a live card for one group. It keeps the team score on one phone per group and records whose shot or drive got used. The golf scramble scoring app page shows how it works.

Setting the rules before the day

Putting policy belongs on the same sheet as your placement rule, handicap method and tiebreakers. Write it in one line:

"Hole everything."
"Gimmes inside the stated length, same for every team."
"Continuous putting allowed."

Then read it out at the briefing. The scramble tournament rules sheet has a template. If pace is a worry, see scramble pace of play as well.

Are gimmes allowed in a scramble?

Only if your rules sheet says so. Some events hole everything. Others allow gimmes inside a stated length that's the same for every team. There's no standard gimme length, so write yours down.

Who decides a gimme?

The rules sheet. It sets whether gimmes exist and how long they can be. If it allows them, it should also say who calls them on the day, often the group captain. Nobody makes up a length on the green.

Does continuous putting speed up a shotgun?

It can help a little, because there's less marking and waiting on each green. It won't fix a slow day on its own. Ready golf and a clear placement rule do more. See scramble pace of play for more ideas.

Can you tap in during a scramble?

Only if your sheet allows continuous putting. If you tap in before your teammates have putted from the original mark, the hole is done, and they lose their chance to hole it in one.

Can the flagstick stay in when you putt?

Yes. Under the Rules of Golf, you can leave the flagstick in when you putt (Rule 13.2a). Nobody has to take it out first.

Keep reading

Hole it, then log it

Scrambled Eggs keeps your group's team score and whose shot got used, on one phone per group. Your scorer enters it once the ball drops.

Download Scrambled Eggs on the App Store