Scramble vs. Best Ball. Same thing? Not so much.

Used interchangeably, a best ball scramble and best ball are two different things...let's talk about it.

So you got invited to something.

Maybe it’s a charity golf event, maybe a work outing, maybe a friend who plays texted you “come play in this scramble with us!”. But you hesitate because you’re not sure what to do.

Or someone said scramble and someone else said best ball and the two people saying it acted like they were talking about the same thing and you didn’t want to be the one to ask.

You’re new to this. You’re still figuring out the difference between your 7-iron or your 3-wood. Or maybe even just getting to the driving range is new for you.

The last thing you need is to show up to an event or sign up for one not knowing what format you’re even playing, because that can be a whole different level of lost.

So before you RSVP, here’s exactly what both of them mean.

The Scramble

Everyone on your team of four tees off. You look at all four shots, pick the best one, and then everyone picks up their ball and plays from that spot.

You do this for the entire hole, every shot, every putt, until the ball is in the hole. One team, one ball, one score.

The coolest part about a scramble is that you can sort of hide behind your bad shots. Like, it’s really no big deal because two other people in your group didn’t hit as well as the fourth person.

You hit it into the woods? Cool, someone else hit it down the middle and that’s where everyone’s going. You three-putted in your head?

Doesn’t matter, your teammate drained it from six feet and that’s the one that counts.

The whole format is designed to keep the round moving and keep everyone in good spirits, which is why it’s the format of choice for charity events and corporate outings.

Best Ball

Best ball sounds similar because people will market their event as a Best Ball Scramble, but it’s a completely different experience on the course.

In the best ball format, everyone plays their own ball for the entire hole…start to finish. At the end of the hole, the team takes the lowest individual score and that’s what goes on the card.

So if you make a six and your partner makes a four, the team scores a four.

Your six just quietly exits the conversation and you move on to the next hole.

But listen, that doesn’t mean you had a “bad shot”...it just means someone else’s was a little better.

For you personally, that could’ve been the best tee shot you’ve ever had! So, keep that in mind!

So, with best ball, you’re playing your own game the whole time and your score is visible, even if the team ultimately uses someone else’s.

The Easiest Way to Remember It

Scramble: one ball, the whole team moves together the entire hole.

Best Ball: everyone plays their own ball, lowest score on the hole wins.

Why you should sign up…

Now look… if someone invites you to a best ball tournament, just know it’s a little more “everyone can see you” than a scramble. You’re playing your own ball the whole time so there’s nowhere to hide, but that’s not a bad thing. That’s actually you playing real golf with a safety net. Your team has your back when you need it.

Both formats are genuinely so much fun and neither one of them should be a reason to say no. The only difference is now you actually know what you said yes to and now you can just worry about what outfit you’re gonna wear.

Say “yes” to the invite. You’re ready. ☕⛳