Why the Scramble Format is NOT for Business Golf

Hey!?! We are not playing a scramble are we?

If you are a charity golf tournament director then you have probably been asked that question a large number of times.  I know I have.

In the business golf arena, the scramble format may sound like the thing to do, but my studies of effective methods of business golf showed the scramble was not of interest to over 90% of the people out to play a round of golf with clients or potential customers.

On the surface you would think the scramble would be the format the newbie golfer would want to play and in a few cases it probably would be the best format for them to play in.  However, the scramble format has become such a cliché it is not play very much in the business golf environment at any level.

Even the charity golf tournaments are looking for other formats to play, especially if the charity golf tournament is catering to the business golfer.

Why Not a Scramble?

There is a rational explanation why business golfers prefer not to play a scramble format.  The nature of the scramble format caters to the weakest golfer and places the burden on the strongest player to keep the group going.  In a “Hit-n-giggle” atmosphere of a charity golf outing most golfers reside to the fact the golf outing is for Fun instead of something of true competition.

In the business golf environment most of the golfers treat the time out of the office as a ‘cherished few moments’ to enjoy something they may not get to do very often in this economy.  This is not to say there is no competition.  On the contrary, business golf outings can be just as, if not more, competitive than the Saturday afternoon beer fest recreational golf outing.

The Scramble format in a business golf outing leads the stronger golfer to tend to want to play above his level in an effort to keep the pace.  Eventually, that ‘A’ player gives up and the outing becomes a sprint to the 19th hole.  All anyone learned of each others character is they all rather prefer not playing a scramble again.

Reading a person’s character during a scramble may show only how they deal with frustrations.  Unless frustration is the business that is going to be discussed after the round it is strongly suggested a more pleasant format be played.

Preferred Formats for Business Golf

When there are more than two golfers out for a round of business golf the preferred format usually is a ‘Round Robin’ Six Hole partner best ball.  The preferred format I play in groups of four is the Six Hole Team Skins.  There is also the Wolf format that is based on a NET score of each player playing as partners.

There are a large number of formats that can be played other than a scramble.  Whatever format played, just make sure everyone is having fun, or the business golf may turn out to be a waste of time.

Let me know how I can help.