Golf Digest, May, 2009

Handicaps - Your Questions Answered
Scrambles

Q: Does a scramble team with a big-hitting scratch golfer have an unfair advantage?

A: It does if it's competing against a team of average players. A low-handicapper who hits it far can carry a scramble team because he or she will likely supply the majority of shots used, and they'll be shots most middle-handicappers can't hit. To negate this advantage, establish these rules: (1) Every player's drive must be used at least three times during the round. (2) The player whose drive is selected isn't eligible to hit the next shot. The best shot of the other three is used. All four players can then play until the ball is holed. For more on scramble teams, including a han-dicapping procedure, visit our scramble tournaments page.

By Dean Knuth, Golf Digest Professional Advisor. Former senior director of the USGA handicap department, Knuth invented today's USGA Course Rating and Slope system.