Master the art of golf scrambles with our comprehensive guide for Burlingame Country Club members. Learn official rules, team strategies, and course-specific tips for your next tournament.
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Golf Scramble Rules: The Burlingame Guide

There’s something magical about a golf scramble at Burlingame. The camaraderie, the strategy, the shared celebrations when someone sinks that crucial putt. Whether you’re organizing your first member event or looking to improve your team’s performance, this guide will help you create “The Best of Times” on our mountain course through the popular scramble format.

Surrounded by the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Burlingame’s course offers the perfect setting for scramble play—combining friendly competition with social connection in the tradition our club values most.

Understanding the Basics of Golf Scrambles

A golf scramble is the perfect format for bringing together players of all skill levels—making it ideal for Burlingame’s community-focused events. In its simplest form, a scramble allows each team member to hit a shot, after which the team selects the best ball position for their next shots.

The heart of scramble play lies in its accessibility. New golfers can contribute alongside experienced players, creating an inclusive atmosphere that aligns perfectly with Burlingame’s family-oriented culture. Each player has the opportunity to shine, whether it’s with a booming drive, precise approach, or clutch putt.

The Basic Scramble Structure

In a standard scramble format:

Each team typically consists of four players, though three-player teams are common for smaller events. After teeing off, team members evaluate their shots and select the one in the most advantageous position. All players then place their balls within one club-length of that spot (no closer to the hole) and hit their next shots. This process continues until the ball is holed.

What makes scrambles particularly suited to Burlingame’s mountain setting is how they keep play moving at a comfortable pace. With our course’s challenging elevation changes and stunning views that might otherwise slow play, the scramble format allows members to enjoy a reasonable round time while still appreciating our beautiful surroundings.

Why Scrambles Work at Burlingame

Our club’s emphasis on creating memorable shared experiences makes the scramble format a natural fit. The collaborative nature of scramble play fosters conversation, strategy discussions, and the building of relationships that extend beyond the course—values that stand at the core of the Burlingame experience.

For new members, scrambles offer a welcoming introduction to our course and community. For long-time members, they provide fresh ways to enjoy familiar holes alongside friends both old and new. This blend of competition and camaraderie captures the essence of what makes Burlingame special.

Official Scramble Rules and Popular Variations

While the basic concept of a scramble remains consistent, understanding the nuances of different variations will help you better prepare for (or organize) your next Burlingame event. Here’s a comprehensive look at standard rules and popular alternatives you might encounter.

Standard Scramble Rules

In the traditional scramble format played at Burlingame:

Each player hits from the designated tee area. After selecting the team’s best drive, all players hit their second shots from within one club-length of that spot, no closer to the hole. This process continues through the fairway. Once on the green, balls are placed within one putter-head length of the selected spot. The team records a single score for each hole.

When placing your ball, remember that you must maintain the same condition as the original shot. If the selected ball is in the rough, all team members must play from the rough. Similarly, if the ball is in a bunker, you must place your ball in the bunker (though you may rake the sand before placing your ball).

Popular Variations Played at Burlingame

Florida Scramble

This variation adds an interesting twist: the player whose shot is selected sits out the next shot. This ensures every team member contributes and prevents one strong player from dominating the selections. The Florida Scramble is particularly popular for our member-guest events, as it creates more balanced competition.

Texas Scramble

In a Texas Scramble, each team member must contribute a minimum number of drives that are used by the team (typically 3-4 per player in an 18-hole round). This rule encourages strategic thinking about when to use certain players’ drives and helps ensure everyone participates meaningfully.

Shamble

A hybrid format that’s gaining popularity at Burlingame, the Shamble combines elements of scramble and individual play. All team members tee off, and the best drive is selected. From that point, however, each player plays their own ball until holing out. The team then takes the best one or two scores on each hole.

This format is excellent for showcasing individual skills while still providing the team atmosphere that makes scrambles so enjoyable. It’s particularly well-suited to our more skilled members who want a bit more individual challenge.

Strategic Team Formation and Player Order

The composition and strategy of your scramble team can significantly impact your success. At Burlingame, where our course offers unique mountain challenges, thoughtful team building becomes even more important.

Building Your Dream Team

When forming a scramble team for a Burlingame event, consider balancing these key skills:

A distance player who can provide length off the tee, particularly valuable on our par 5s where reaching in two can create eagle opportunities. An accurate driver who keeps the ball in play, especially important on our tree-lined holes where recovery from the woods can be challenging. A strong iron player who can handle our elevation changes and deliver consistent approach shots. And a skilled putter familiar with the subtle breaks of our mountain greens.

Remember that team chemistry matters as much as individual skills. The best scramble teams communicate effectively, support each other through inevitable mistakes, and maintain positive energy throughout the round—reflecting the community spirit that defines Burlingame.

Optimal Playing Order

Your team’s playing order can significantly impact performance, especially on Burlingame’s challenging mountain terrain:

On tee shots, consider having your most consistent driver go first to put a ball in play. Your longest hitter might go last, able to swing freely knowing there’s already a safe shot on the fairway. For approach shots, your most accurate iron player might lead off, setting a benchmark for the team. On putts, have someone with a similar line go first to provide a read, with your best putter anchoring the group.

This strategy can be adjusted based on who’s playing well that day. Golf is a game of confidence, and if someone is striking the ball particularly well, letting them hit last can allow them to build on that momentum.

Assigning Roles Based on Strengths

Beyond playing order, clearly defined roles can help your team operate smoothly:

Consider designating a team captain to make final decisions when opinions differ on shot selection or strategy. Identify who will handle scorecard duties to ensure accurate recording. Assign a pace-of-play monitor who keeps the team moving efficiently. And rotate green-reading responsibilities based on who has the most experience with Burlingame’s putting surfaces.

These organizational elements might seem small, but they allow your team to focus on what matters most—enjoying our beautiful course and each other’s company while playing your best golf.

Course Management in Scramble Play at Burlingame

Burlingame’s mountain setting creates unique challenges and opportunities for scramble play. Understanding how to navigate our course’s specific features can give your team a significant advantage in your next event.

Handling Elevation Changes

Our course’s significant elevation changes require thoughtful club selection and strategy:

When playing uphill, like on our challenging 7th hole, remember that the effective distance is longer than what’s on the card. Most players at Burlingame add one club for every 10 feet of elevation gain. Downhill shots, particularly on our signature 17th hole, play shorter but demand more precision. The thin mountain air at our elevation also affects distance—many members find their shots carry 5-7% farther than at sea level.

In scramble format, these elevation considerations create strategic opportunities. On uphill approaches, having your highest ball-flight player go last can be advantageous, as their trajectory might better hold our elevated greens.

Risk-Reward Decisions

Scrambles allow for more aggressive play, but knowing when to take risks on Burlingame’s course is crucial:

Our risk-reward par 5s, like the 12th hole, present classic scramble dilemmas. With a good drive, the second shot tempts players to challenge the hazard protecting the green. In scramble format, this is often the right play—if you have a safe ball in play. But remember that our mountain winds can intensify in the afternoon, making certain risks less appealing.

The strategic layout of our 15th hole presents another scramble-specific challenge. The severe dogleg tempts long hitters to cut the corner, but the dense forest can swallow balls that miss the fairway. Having your accurate players establish a safe position first allows your distance players to attempt the aggressive line with confidence.

Scramble-Specific Course Tips

From our years hosting scramble events, we’ve gathered these Burlingame-specific insights:

Our 3rd green features subtle breaks that are difficult to read. Having your first putter play beyond the hole can reveal the true line. The collection area short of our 9th green is a common miss—even in scrambles. Teams that practice their bump-and-run shots from this area gain a significant advantage. And the afternoon shadows across our 18th green can make putting particularly challenging. Teams that factor this into their approach strategy often finish with better scores.

These course-specific strategies combine local knowledge with scramble tactics, helping you navigate Burlingame’s beautiful but challenging layout more effectively during your next team event.

Hosting a Successful Scramble Event

Whether you’re organizing a small member scramble or planning Burlingame’s annual charity tournament, these guidelines will help you create a memorable event that embodies our club’s commitment to community and excellence.

Pre-Event Planning

Successful scrambles at Burlingame begin with careful preparation:

Start by selecting a date that avoids conflicts with other club events and considers seasonal factors—fall foliage season creates spectacular views but also attracts more play. When setting entry fees, balance your budget needs with value for participants. Most successful Burlingame scrambles include green fees (for non-members), cart fees, range balls, food and beverage options, and prizes in their entry package.

Work with our club staff to create registration materials that clearly communicate format, rules, schedule, and any special competitions (longest drive, closest to the pin). Our membership director can assist with promoting your event through the club newsletter, email lists, and bulletin board announcements.

Day-of-Event Execution

Creating a smooth experience for participants requires attention to detail:

Plan for check-in to begin at least one hour before the first tee time. Set up a welcome table with scorecards, rule sheets, and any tournament merchandise or welcome gifts. Coordinate with our golf staff to arrange cart staging, driving range setup, and course markings for special competitions.

Consider hosting a brief rules review 15 minutes before start time to clarify any format-specific guidelines. Our club’s Bluestone Room is perfect for this purpose. For larger events, shotgun starts work well at Burlingame, allowing all participants to finish around the same time for post-round festivities.

Post-Round Activities

The social aspects after play often create the most lasting memories:

Burlingame’s newly renovated clubhouse offers ideal spaces for post-round gatherings. Work with our food and beverage team to arrange appropriate options—our chef’s famous fried chicken receives consistent praise from members and guests alike. Plan for scorecards to be collected and results tabulated while participants enjoy their meals.

When presenting awards, consider recognizing both competitive achievements and memorable moments from the day. Many successful Burlingame scrambles include awards for “most honest team” or “most interesting shot” alongside the traditional winning categories. These touches reflect our club’s emphasis on both friendly competition and genuine connection.

Scramble Etiquette and Scoring

While scrambles offer a more relaxed format than individual stroke play, certain etiquette considerations and scoring procedures help ensure everyone enjoys their Burlingame experience.

Scramble-Specific Etiquette

These guidelines help maintain the welcoming atmosphere that defines our club:

Ready golf becomes even more important in scrambles. While your team decides which ball to play, other members should prepare for their next shots. Be mindful of pace—scrambles should generally move faster than regular play. At Burlingame, we suggest a maximum of 4 hours and 15 minutes for an 18-hole scramble.

When placing balls, be honest about maintaining similar conditions to the selected shot. Taking relief from divots or improving your lie violates both the rules and the spirit of the game. On the greens, avoid walking in other players’ putting lines, even among teammates. And remember that proper care for our course—replacing divots, repairing ball marks, raking bunkers—remains essential even in scramble format.

Proper Scoring Procedures

Clear, accurate scoring prevents confusion and disputes:

Designate one person as the primary scorekeeper, with another team member keeping a backup card for verification. Record scores hole-by-hole rather than waiting until the end of the round. After completing each hole, verbally confirm the team score with all members before moving to the next tee.

In tournaments with handicap adjustments, be sure to record any required information about which player’s shots were used. Many Burlingame events use a system where teams must record a minimum number of drives from each player, and proper tracking prevents end-of-round confusion.

Handicapping in Scrambles

Burlingame uses several approaches to create fair scramble competitions:

In our member events, we typically calculate team handicaps as a percentage of the combined individual handicaps—usually 20% of the A player, 15% of the B player, 10% of the C player, and 5% of the D player. This system helps balance teams while still rewarding skilled play.

For more casual events, we sometimes use a simple A/B/C/D system where each team receives one player from each handicap category. This approach creates naturally balanced teams without complex calculations.

Remember that the primary goal of handicapping in our scrambles is to create an enjoyable, competitive experience for all participants—reflecting Burlingame’s commitment to inclusive, community-focused events.

Frequently Asked Questions

How are ties broken in Burlingame scramble tournaments?

For our club events, we typically break ties using a scorecard playoff, starting with the most difficult handicap hole and working backward until the tie is broken. For major events, we sometimes use a chip-off or putting contest if the schedule allows.

Can teams use rangefinders or GPS devices during scrambles?

Yes, distance-measuring devices are permitted in most Burlingame scrambles. In fact, given our course’s significant elevation changes, we recommend using devices with slope functionality during practice rounds (though these cannot be used during USGA-sanctioned competitions).

How does the minimum drive requirement work in scrambles?

In events with minimum drive requirements, each player must contribute a specified number of tee shots that the team uses. Typically, this is 3-4 drives per player in an 18-hole event. Your scorecard will include boxes to mark whose drive was used on each hole to ensure compliance.

Testimonials from Burlingame Members

Create Your Own Burlingame Scramble Experience

Whether you’re looking to organize your first member scramble or hoping to improve your team’s performance in our next event, the guidelines in this resource provide a foundation for success. But as with everything at Burlingame, the most valuable aspects go beyond technique and rules—they’re found in the connections formed, the memories created, and the joy of shared experiences in our beautiful mountain setting.

Our club’s tradition of excellence, community, and environmental stewardship extends to how we approach scramble events. By embracing both the competitive and social elements of this popular format, you’ll discover yet another way to enjoy “The Best of Times” at Burlingame Country Club.

For more information about upcoming scramble events or to discuss organizing your own member tournament, please contact our golf professional staff at the Pro Shop. We look forward to seeing you on the first tee!