What is a Las Vegas Scramble?
While a traditional golf scramble is relatively well known there are many variations on the format, like the texas scramble, the florida scramble and the Las Vegas Scramble which we take a look at here. Golf scrambles are fun and enjoyable ways to play golf and particularly suit tournament and family style play. As the name suggest a Las Vegas golf scramble adds the element of luck and chance to the round.
A Las Vegas Scramble adds an element of luck by the use of dice to choose where shots will be taken from. Each golfer is assigned a number (1-4) and after each shot the dice is rolled to show which players shot will be used next. If 5-6 are rolled then they can choose the shot to use like a traditional scramble.
Las Vegas golf scrambles are a fun way to include all players on the team, and not just the best players shots being predominantly chosen, it shares this aim with the Florida scramble we take about more here, but we have more information on the las Vegas format below.
What is a Golf Scramble
We have a selection of different articles on the site that cover the main ways of playing a golf scramble, however the traditional way is by far the most popular and jsut in case you find yourself here being unaware of that that is we do a quick recap below.
In a traditional golf scramble, or texas scramble, all player play their tee shot on every hole. After each shot the best shot is selected and all players then play the following shot from that position ( within a club length)
This system of best ball then continues until the green, where for putting it is often within a putters head length of the best ball, rather than a club length – the distances are much shorter there.
The scoring is recorded and the lowest score of the team is the official result. It speed sup rounds, allows players of different abilities to play together and can take the pressure of individuals during the round. We have a longer more in depth article on this type of golf scramble here on the site.
What is a Las Vegas scramble
We gave the 50 word explanation of a las vegas scramble at the top of the page, so here we will go into a little more depth, just a little as unlike other forms of golf scramble this one isn’t that confusing.
Depending which version, we discuss the two options below, a Las vegas scramble is very similar to a texas or traditional scramble.
that difference is the use of a dice to decide which shot is used to play from next. The dice is rolled and which ever players ball is selected is where all players play the next shot. Obviously there are only 4 in the team so if the dice shows 5 or 6 then the teams can again choose which ball to play from.
This system makes sure that all players are involved in the game, and that all shots may be important to the score. (so stops one player dominating, and less able players from losing interest knowing their shot is unlikely to be used)
How to set up a Las vegas scramble
- Form a teams of 4 players and takes a dice
- Each player is assigned a number from 1-4
- Each player hits a tee shot on each hole.
- The team rolls the dice and if 1-4 are displayed players play the next shot from this position.
- if 5-6 are displayed on the dice then players can choose which balls position they play from ( like a traditional golf scramble)
- Repeat steps 3-4 until the ball is in the hole.
- Record the team score and repeat for each hole.
- The team with the lowest score wins.
- There is an alternative way where the scramble can be made just with the dice used on tee shots, or it can be used after every shot.
Note: The use of dice adds an element of chance to the game and can make it more fun and exciting for all players.
Variations of Las Vegas Scramble.
As we mentioned above there a re two possible ways to play this format of scramble. Although often just played using a dice after a drive and then continuing to choose the best shot after the dice has chosen the drive to play from, players can decide to continue using the dice.
this can be done for approach shots, and even on the green. Although ti sounds a little time consuming, it is actually faster than a traditional scramble as it takes out the discussions on which shot is best phase of a traditional golf scramble.
What happens if you roll a 5-6 in a Las Vegas Scramble
With most groups on a course being made up of 4 or less it does pose a dilemma for golfers playing Las vegas scramble as a dice has 6 sides.
So if the team roles a 5 or 6 on the hole then it means they can choose which shot to play from, rather than the dice and so it reverts to a texas or traditional scramble at that point.
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
So while there are a lot of similarities between a texas / traditional golf scramble there is a major difference as well. The use of a dice to select the next shot opens up the game and involves all players.
All members of the team have an equal chance of there shot being the next one played and it keep interest levels up in the who team, especially if that team has a wide range of golfing abilities.
I guess you could take 2 dice in case you lose (throw) one on the course, or if the group ahead of you are taking their time fully embrace the Las Vegas spirit in the Scramble and play a game of craps on the green while you wait!
