Scramble Tournament Rules Sheet (One-Pager)
If it isn't on the sheet, someone will invent it on hole 7.
A scramble day runs on your one-pager. The Rules of Golf fill gaps for balls, OOB, and unplayables. Scramble-specific stuff lives here.
What belongs on the sheet (HowTo checklist)
Print one page. Hand it out at check-in. Brief it before the horn.
Format and scoring
- Scramble / Ambrose / Texas / Florida (name it)
- Team size
- Gross, net, or both (gross vs net scramble scoring)
- Flights, if any
- Handicap method (USGA % or Ambrose ÷2n) and where to get the number (handicap calculator)
Tees
- Which markers for each division
- Mixed-tee local rule if needed
Minimum drives
- Yes/no and the number N
- How to mark whose drive was used (minimum drives)
Ball placement
- One club length, no closer to the hole, same cut
- On the green: same spot, or within a scorecard or putter-head length (placement rules)
Putts and gimmes
- Gimme length if any (or none)
- Whether string can hole out (string scramble)
Mulligans / string (if sold)
- Cap per player or team
- Tee-only vs any shot
- Whether mulligans are banned on contest holes
- Caps and wording that work: scramble mulligan rules
Local ball rules
- OOB / lost ball: stroke-and-distance, or a published fairway drop + penalty if you want pace
- Say it plainly. Don't leave it to "playaway vibes"
Side contests
- CTP / longest drive / long putt holes
- Contest money kept separate from the main purse
- How to run and measure each one: scramble hole contests
- How to split the purse: scramble prize structure
Tie-breaker
- Matching scorecards (holes 10-18 → 13-18 → 16-18 → 18) or playoff / CTP (tiebreaker rules)
- Shotgun still uses those hole numbers
Pace and turn-in
- Ready-golf expectation
- Scorecard deadline and desk location (registration and check-in)
- Starting hole, if it's a shotgun (shotgun start)
Pairings
- How teams were built (team generator)
Do charity scrambles follow USGA?
The local sheet governs scramble-specific rules. USGA / R&A Rules still sit underneath for general play (balls, penalties) unless the sheet modifies them.
Charity days almost always add house rules: placement, mulligans, min drives, gimmes. Print those. Don't shrug and say "USGA scramble" as if that fills a blank page.
Score to the sheet
One team score per hole. Drive marks if you require them. Live cards beat a paper pile at the desk: golf scramble scoring app.
Frequently asked questions
What should a scramble rules sheet include?
Format, scoring, tees, min drives, placement, putts, extras, OOB/lost-ball, contests, ties, pace, turn-in.
Do we need the full Rules of Golf book on the cart?
No. The scramble sheet is the day's playbook. The Rules fill what you don't cover.
Can we change a rule after the round starts?
Only if you enjoy refunds. Publish before tee-off.
Where do handicaps go?
On the sheet: which method, and that Course Handicaps feed it. Tool: scramble handicap calculator.
Who marks the card?
One scorer per team. Say so on the sheet.
Print the sheet, then score the day
Use Scrambled Eggs for the team card. Use the team generator and handicap calculator before the horn.
Download Scrambled Eggs on the App Store