What is a Bloodsome Scramble?
Not every scramble format in golf is about building confidence and making friends! the Bloodsome scramble is a cruel game played by (usually) a group of four players split into two teams, the scoring is the same with either lowest score or most holes one deciding the winner but that is where the similarity with a traditional scramble ends.
A Bloodsome scramble, sometimes referred to as a gruesome scramble, is a way to play foursomes in golf. Four golfers is split into two competing teams of two. However, contrary to regular golf scramble, bloodsome allows the opposing team to choose the shot that the other team plays, often the worst of the two shots.
Ok, so it’s not as cruel as we made out, and actually it is played between friends who want to have a little fun with each other, or who have perhaps spent to long in the club house waiting for their tee time. We take a look below on how to play a bloodsome scramble and when it is appropriate to play it.
What Is A Golf Scramble
A golf scramble is a type of tournament format in which a team of golfers play their own ball, but the team uses the best shot of the team members on each hole. This is a popular format for charity golf events and corporate golf outings. There are many different forms, which we look at on the site, but one of the less popular ones is the bloodsome Golf Scramble.
What is a Bloodsome Scramble?
We gave you the short answer above for what is a bloodsome, sometimes known as a gruesome, scramble in golf at the top of the article but we will take a look at how you play and organise one here, as well as the full details on what a bloodsome scramble entails.
A Bloodsome scramble is a type of golf tournament format that is usually played by a team of four. However, while the usual golf scramble format has all four players playing together to get the best score, the bloodsome scramble does not.
While it is still played by a team of four, this team is spilt into two teams of two. these teams both play their balls for the whole round with a twist.
Rather than choose the best ball position to play the next shot from, that honor is given to the opposing team. As you can imagine it would be very rare from them to choose the best shot, and they will choose the worst shot of the oppositions. The other team gets to do the same
The scoring remains the same, it can be either the lowest shot for the round, or it can be scored by which team won the most holes.
This format is understandably not as popular for tournaments as it slows down play considerably, and as a rule is only played by groups who are friends for fun. Playing with players you don’t know amy cause arguments and bad feelings, so it should probably be avoided! T
Features of a Bloodsome Scramble in Golf?
A Bloodsome Scramble is a type of tournament format in golf that has the following features:
- Teams of 4 players: although the teams are split into two teams of two players
- All players tee off. The opposing team gets to choose the next ball to play from the other team.
- Opposing team continues to choose: Following the tee shot the the opposing team continues to pick the ball of their choosing.
- Scoring: The team score is the total number of strokes taken on each hole or alternatively which ever team wins the most holes in the round.
- Speed of play: Bloodsome Scramble is a much slower as players are likely to take more shots on each hole, and should only be played if you are not likely to hold up other golfers on the course.
- Fun and less competitive: Although only if played with close friends!
We have more articles on the different type of golf Scrambles throughout the site, to save you a search we have listed these below.
- What is Scrambling in Golf
- What is a Florida Scramble
- What is a Golf Scramble
- What is a bloodsome scramble
- What is a Las Vegas Scramble
Conclusion
The main difference between traditional scrambles and a bloodsome scramble is the choosing of the best shot is not from your own team, but from the opposing team. this means teams are likely to be playing their worst of two shots each time.
This is done, hopefully, in a spirit of fun between golfers who are low handicappers, otherwise it can add significantly to the time it takes to play around! beginners should steer away from this type of golf scramble
