RULE 36 SCRAMBLE 36-1. GENERAL Scramble is a form of stroke play. The Rules for stroke play, so far as they are not at variance with the following specific Rules, apply. 36-2. FORMAT a. Procedure for Play A side will start the play of each hole and then select one shot from the side and should mark the location with a tee or ball-marker. Each partner of the side plays their next stroke from the chosen location by placing a ball within six inches of the marked location, no nearer the hole. This procedure is followed on every shot until the ball is holed. Note 1: If the selected location is within a hazard, all strokes by the side must be made from within the hazard, unless relief is taken under an applicable Rule. Note 2: If the selected location is through the green, the side may not use the six inch allowance to place a ball on the putting green. b. Order of Play Partners may play in the order the side considers best. c. Representation of Side The side may be represented by any partner for all or any part of a stipulated round. A player may join at any time prior to his partner playing from a selected location. d. Scoring Only one of the partners need be responsible for complying with the provisions of Rule 6-6b. Signing a score card attests to the correctness of the scores and that 6 tee shots (or other number as determined by the Committee), were selected by each partner. The marker should mark which partner s tee shot was selected for each hole. e. Tee Shots Sides are required to select each partner s tee shot at least 6 times throughout a round. Note: The Committee may make a Local Rule requiring a side to select each partner s tee shot a different specific number of times or that waives this requirement. PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 36-2e: Disqualification f. Relief Procedures When the selected ball is in a position that either member of the side is entitled to relief, or the ball may be dropped in accordance with a Rule that provides penalized relief (i.e. Rule 26, Water Hazards), if relief is taken it must be taken for all partners of the side. Note: If the selected ball is in a position that is not entitled to relief, the side is not entitled to relief even if a ball placed within six inches would be entitled to relief. (i) When proceeding in accordance with a Rule that uses the nearest point of relief (Rules 24-2, 25-1 or 25-3), the nearest point of relief must be found that provides relief for all partners. (ii) When taking relief, in order to determine the six inch area in which a side may play from, one ball must be dropped in accordance with the applicable Rule. Once the ball is at rest in the prescribed area the side must mark the position and play from within six inches of that point. PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 36-2f: If the ball involved was selected for play, the side incurs a penalty of two strokes.
g. Playing from a Wrong Place If a side plays a ball from more than six inches from the selected location, closer to the hole or from outside a hazard when the selected location is within a hazard, the side incurs a penalty of two strokes under this Rule if that ball is selected to count. h. Selecting a Ball A ball has been selected as a location by the side once a stroke has been played from within six inches of the location. A side may not change their selection if (i) any member of the side has made a stroke from within six inches of the selected location, (ii) any member of the side has proceeded in accordance with a relief procedure under an applicable Rule, or (iii) a ball has been dropped or placed with the intent of proceeding under stroke and distance. Exception: If a ball is selected that is entitled to relief under an applicable Rule, that ball has been selected once any member of the side has proceeded in accordance with the relief procedure for that Rule. The ball should be marked after being dropped or placed in accordance with that Rule. 36-3. BALL IN PLAY A ball is in play once a stroke has been made at a ball that has been placed or lay within six inches of the selected location. The ball remains in play until it is lifted. a. If a player makes a stroke at his ball in play prior to his partner playing a stroke from the previously selected location, that player s ball is the ball in play (i.e. the player taps in a short putt prior to the partner playing from the originally selected location) and the partner s stroke will not count. b. Once a ball is holed by the side, no further strokes may count for the side. 36-4. BALL ASSISTING WITH PLAY A side must mark and lift a ball if it might assist in any side s play of the hole. A side may play first rather than mark and lift. PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 36-4: If the ball that had potential assistance was selected for play, the side incurs a penalty of two strokes. 36-5. INAPPLICABLE RULES In addition to any Rules specific to Match Play, the following Rules do not apply to Scramble format: Rule 3-3 Sides may not play two balls when in doubt of a procedure. They must play from within six inches of the selected location or seek assistance from the Committee without delay. Rule 5-3 - See 15-2 below. Rule 6-4 Caddies are not permitted. All references to caddies in the Rules do not apply. Rule 10 Partners and sides may play in the order they deem best, see Rule 36-2b. Rule 12-2 Since a ball may always be lifted once marked, there is no need for the identification procedure in this Rule. Rule 13-1 The ball is not played as it lies. Rule 14-2b Partners may stand on an extension of the line of play behind the ball while the stroke is being made. Rule 15-2 A ball may be substituted at any time for a stroke regardless of the condition of the ball. Rule 18-2b As a ball is not in play until a stroke is made at it from a selected spot, there is no penalty if the ball moves after it has been addressed.
Rule 21 A ball may be cleaned at any time prior to being put into play. Rule 22-1 Rule 22-1 is replaced by Rule 36-4. Rule 25-2 As players have six inches to place a ball from a selected spot, there is no need to first take relief if the selected ball is embedded. 36-6. PENALTY TO SIDE The following penalties only apply if the ball involved is selected: Rules 11-4b and 11-5 If a side selects a ball that was played from outside the teeing ground or from a wrong teeing ground, the error must be corrected by at least one member of the side. If the error is not corrected prior to playing from the next teeing ground, the side is disqualified. Rule 12-1 Rule 13-2 If a player improves his lie, area of intended swing, stance or line of play (other than permitted under the Rules) and this affects his partner s play, the side shall incur the applicable penalty if the affected ball is selected. Exception: When the selected spot is in a bunker, see Rule 13-4 below. Rule 13-3 Rule 13-4 In a bunker, players are permitted to smooth sand and soil without restriction in the area in which a ball is to be placed. Rule 14 (except Rule 14-2b) Rule 15-3 A partner s ball is not a wrong ball. Rule 16-2 Rules 17-1 & 17-3 Rule 18 (except Rule 18-2b) Rule 19 Rule 20 (i) A ball to be dropped under the Rules may be dropped by any partner. (ii) Rule 20-7 applies to a ball played outside the six inch allowance. Rule 28 If a selected ball lies unplayable, the side may not use the six inch allowance to place a ball in a playable position, they must first proceed in accordance with Rule 28. 36-7. EFFECT OF OTHER PENALTIES In all other cases not specifically covered under Rule 36, a penalty incurred by any partner will apply to the side s score whether or not the player s ball was selected. SCRAMBLE 36/1 (Reserved) 36/2 Players Play from Locations of Both Partners Strokes Q. After their tee shots, both partners each play a ball from the location of both their tee shots. What is the ruling? A. When the side played from the first selected location, that was the selected spot. When they played from the other partner s tee shot, they played from a wrong place in breach of Rule 36-2g and incurred a penalty of two strokes. The side must select a ball that was played from the first location. If
they do not and the Committee determines that it was a serious breach of playing from a wrong place, the side must correct the error prior to playing from the next teeing ground or be disqualified. 36/3 Provisional Ball in Scramble Q. A side plays their tee shots and one ball is in play in the rough and the other may be out of bounds. The side wishes to play a provisional ball for the ball that may be out of bounds as the ball in the rough looks to be behind a tree. May all partners play a provisional? A. No. For a provisional ball in Scramble, only the player whose ball may be lost outside a water hazard or out of bounds may play a provisional ball. If more than one partner plays a provisional ball, there is no penalty but they may not select from the additional balls. If they do so, the side would be in breach of Rule 36-2g. SCRAMBLE; GENERAL SCRAMBLE; FORMAT 36-2/1 Player Changes Condition from the Selected Location Q. After selecting a ball and marking its position, one partner plays a ball from a different part of the course (i.e. through the green to putting green) within six inches of the marked location. Is this permissible? A. No. Rule 36-2 prohibits changing parts of the course when using the six inch allowance from a selected location. However, since rough and fairway are both through the green, nothing prohibits a side from using the six inch allowance to change from rough to fairway or vice versa. 36-2/2 Player Plays Original Ball as it Lay Without First Marking Its Position Q. A side selects a ball and rather than marking its position a player plays the ball from its original position. What is the ruling? A. Any other member of the side must play from within six inches of where the ball originally lay, using the divot or any other marking left to determine that position. If the side fails to do so, and then select a ball played from outside the six inches, the side would incur a two-stroke penalty under Rule 36-2. 36-2/3 (Reserved) 36-2/4 Player Joins Partner and Plays Ball After Partner has Played from Selected Location Q. A partner has started the play of a hole and has played from the selected location when the player arrives to join. The player then plays from the selected location. What is the ruling?
A. A player may only join prior to his partner playing from a selected location. Therefore, if the side selects the joining player s ball for play and plays from that location, they have played from a wrong place in breach of Rule 36-2c and the side incurs a penalty of two strokes. The Committee may not determine this to be a serious breach regardless of the result in this situation. 36-2/5 Relief from Obstruction or Abnormal Ground Condition When Side Consists of Right and Left-Handed Players Q. How must a side consisting of both right and left-handed players determine its nearest point of relief? A. The nearest point of relief is the point on the course nearest to where the ball lies, no nearer the hole that if the ball were so positioned no interference would exist for a stroke by either player on the side that they would have made from the original position if the condition did not exist (i.e. complete relief must be taken for both the right and left-handed player). 36-2/6 Stroke by a Player Alters the Selected Area Q. In playing a stroke from the selected location, a player alters the area by taking a divot. May the other partner yet to play (or members of a different side, if applicable), place a ball in or around the altered area? A. Yes. The partner or other side may play from the altered area without penalty. Alternatively, if the area altered prevents another player from playing within six inches of the selected location with a similar lie, in equity, the player may place a ball within one club-length of the nearest most similar lie to the originally selected location no nearer the hole, without penalty, in accordance with Rule 20-3b. 36-2/6.5 Stroke by a Player Moves Ball-Marker Q. In playing a stroke from a selected location, a player moves the ball-marker indicating the original spot. Does the side incur a penalty for a breach of Rule 36-2a? A. No. Since a side is required to play from within six inches of the marked location it is reasonable that on occasion a player s stroke might move that mark. If a member of the side is still to play from the location the mark must be replaced without penalty. If the mark is not replaced, this is considered a separate action and the side incurs a one-stroke penalty for a breach of Rule 36-2a regardless of which ball is selected for play. 36-2/7 Side Wishes to Change Locations After Selecting a Ball Q. A side selects and lifts a ball that is entitled to relief from an obstruction. After determining where the nearest point of relief would be, the side decides they would be better off selecting a different ball. What is the ruling?
A. The side may change locations and select a different ball. Rule 36-2h prohibits a side from changing locations after proceeding under a Rule with the selected ball. If the other ball had not been lifted, or was marked prior to being lifted, there is no penalty and the side must mark the ball or leave the mark in place prior to playing from the new selected location. If the side had lifted the other ball without first marking its position, they may still select the other ball, but will incur a one-stroke penalty for a breach of Rule 36-2a or 18-2a. SCRAMBLE; BALL IN PLAY 36-3/1 Player Wants to Replace Moved Ball Prior to Playing It Q. A player places a ball and it is at rest within six inches of the selected location. The ball subsequently moves prior to the stroke being made. The player wishes to replace the ball prior to playing the stroke. What is the ruling? A. The player may replace the ball without penalty. The ball is not in play until the stroke is made, so a player may place or replace a ball more than once within six inches of the selected location prior to playing a stroke so long as he does not unduly delay play. 36-3/2 (Reserved) 36-3/3 Ball Moves After Address Q. A player addresses a ball that has been placed for play and the ball then moves. What is the ruling? A. Rule 18-2b does not apply to Scramble format. As the ball is not in play until the stroke is made, he incurs no penalty and may place the ball in a new location within six inches of the selected location, replace the ball or play the ball from its new position provided that position is within six inches of the selected location no nearer the hole. SCRAMBLE; BALL ASSISTING WITH PLAY 36-4/1 Ball Assisting Partner After Stroke from Near Putting Green Left in Place Q. After a stroke from near the putting green, a player s ball comes to rest in a position that may assist his partner. May the side leave the ball in place? A. No. Rule 36-4 requires the side to mark and lift a ball that might assist his partner. If the ball is left in place for the stroke and the player could have reached the ball without unduly delaying play, the side incurs a two-stroke penalty whether or not the partner s ball strikes it.
36-4/2 Stroke Made from Fairway or Teeing Ground in Position to Assist Partner or Fellow- Competitor Q. A player s stroke from a significant distance from the hole comes to rest in a position to assist his partner or a fellow-competitor. It would unduly delay play to mark the ball. Is the side required to mark the ball prior to the partner or fellow-competitor s stroke? A. No. Rule 36-4 is intended to prevent assistance from a reasonably close distance to the hole. If marking the ball would unduly delay play, or the side was unaware the ball was in a position to assist, there is no penalty for leaving the ball in place during the partner or fellow-competitor s stroke. SCRAMBLE; INAPPLICABLE RULES SCRAMBLE; PENALTY TO SIDE 36-6/1 Side Selects Ball Played from Outside Teeing Ground and Plays; Procedure for Correction Q. A side selects a ball that was played from outside the teeing ground and at least one player plays from that spot. How must the side proceed? A. The side may (a) return to the teeing ground and have one or both partners play from within the teeing ground. They may then select either ball for play and the side incurs a twostroke penalty or, (b) they may select the other ball which was played from within the teeing ground with a two-stroke penalty for the initial breach of Rule 11-4b. If the other ball had been lifted without first marking its position, the side would incur an additional one-stroke penalty. 36-6/2 Player Purposely Improves the Lie, Area of Intended Stance or Swing or Line of Play for Partner Q. A player purposely breaks a branch in the area of his intended swing and plays. This also affects the area of intended swing for his partner. What is the ruling? A. The side incurs a penalty of two strokes for a breach of Rule 13-2. The ruling would be the same if the partner intentionally broke a branch as a result of his stroke. If the player intentionally broke the branch after his own stroke but before his partner, the side would incur a penalty of two strokes for a breach of Rule 1-2 if the player s ball is selected, or Rule 13-2 if the partner s ball is selected. 36-6/3 Side Selects and Plays from within Six Inches of a Wrong Ball Q. The side selects a ball that is not one of their shots and the side plays from within six inches of that ball. What is the ruling?
A. As the selected ball was neither partner s ball in play, the side played from a wrong place. The side incurs a penalty of two strokes for a breach of Rule 36-2g and may be a serious breach. If the side believes that they may have committed a serious breach of playing from a wrong place, Rule 20-7c applies. 36-6/3.5 One Member of Side Plays from Within Six Inches of Ball Incorrectly Dropped Under Applicable Rule Q. A side selects a ball that is entitled to relief under Rule 24-2. The side drops a ball within two clublengths of the nearest point of relief and one partner plays from within six inches of that location. The side then realizes they should have dropped within one club-length of the nearest point of relief. What is the ruling? A. The one partner has played from a wrong place and if his ball is selected, the side would incur a two-stroke penalty. In order to avoid penalty, the side must drop a ball correctly in accordance with Rule 24-2 and any remaining partner must play from within six inches of the correctly dropped ball. The partner who initially played from a wrong place is not entitled to play another shot from the correct location. The ruling would be the same for a breach of playing from a wrong place under any Rule unless otherwise stated in the Rules. 36-6/4 (Reserved) 36-6/5 Player Rakes in Area of Intended Stance in Bunker Between Strokes Q. The side selects a ball which lies in a bunker. May the side rake the bunker between strokes? A. Yes. Rule 36-6 permits players to smooth sand and soil in a bunker in the area in which a ball is to be placed. Due to the nature of the Scramble format, this means a side may rake an area to restore it to its original condition or to a preferred condition (within the Rules) between strokes. This permission does not extend to an area on the partner s line of play that was not disturbed by the previous stroke. 36-6/5.5 Ball Embedded in Sand in Bunker Q. A side selects a ball that is embedded in sand in a bunker. May the side place the ball in a lie that is not embedded and may the side rake the embedded lie prior to placing a ball? A. Yes. The side is entitled to place a ball within six inches of the selected location. If that allows the player to place the ball in a significantly improved lie, that is ok. Rule 36-6 permits players to smooth sand in bunkers without restriction in the area they are to place a ball. This may be done before or between strokes.
36-6/6 Ball Overhanging Hole Q. A player s ball overhangs the edge of the hole. The player walks up to the hole and waits the allowed 10 seconds under Rule 16-2, after which the ball falls into the hole. What is the ruling? A. The side is considered to have holed out with the previous stroke and incurs a one-stroke penalty. In equity, if the partner had not yet played his stroke from the selected location, he may play and if holed the side is considered to have holed out with his stroke without penalty.