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Texas Scramble is one of the most popular team games in golf, so how do you play it?
The format is very straightforward. Each player in a group tees off as normal and the best of these shots is then chosen to be used for the next shot.
Each member of the team hits their shot from that spot and this process continues until the hole is played out.
Each team returns one score for each hole and the team with the lowest score for the round wins.
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Variations of Texas Scramble
The basic format of Texas Scramble – outlined above – means that, in theory, only one team member plays the shots that matter.
There are a couple variations, therefore, which promote more of a team aspect.
A common one is that each team member must contribute four drives (or sometimes three), putting more emphasis on a strategy on each hole.
Another is that the player whose ball is selected is prohibited from hitting the next shot. So, if Player A’s drive was chosen on the first hole, he wouldn’t be allowed to hit one of the second shots, and so on.
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History of Texas Scramble
Texas Scramble was originally called Captain’s Choice as the leading player in each group made the choice on shot selection. However, it soon became known by its current name.
One of the theories as to why is simply because the format became very popular in Texas and Las Vegas during the Depression of the 1950s in the USA.
Nowadays, Texas Scramble is an incredibly popular format – particularly in charity events and pro-am tournaments – due to its relaxed, informal manner. The JP McManus Pro-Am is one event that has previously used the format.
Higher handicappers or those newer to the game can play and contribute to their team’s score, instead of feeling like a burden to their group.
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