How to Play a Golf Tournament Using a SET Scramble Format

The SET, or same exact time, scramble is an innovative and fast-paced golf format used in tournaments and charity events. The SET scramble was founded by Doug McCracken, who wanted to "speed up" play and eliminate cheating. A SET scramble is a two-player team format designed to be played in groups of six people (three teams), though you can have up to eight people per group (four teams or two foursomes). The basic concept of the SET (as the name implies) is to have each set of teammates swing simultaneously and then play the best ball.

Things You'll Need

  • Golf balls
  • Golf tees
  • Golf clubs
  • Golf shoes
  • 2-player teams
  • Golf gloves
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Instructions

  1. Teeing off

    • 1
      In a SET Scramble players at the tee box must always be four paces apart.

      Step up to the tee box (all players from team one). When at the tees, you must always be four paces from your teammate (either to the left or right). All players are required to swing simultaneously, meaning you must start your swing at close to the same time, though you don't have to hit the ball simultaneously. Teams two and three will follow the same procedure.

    • 2
      Best choice of shot selection is to be in the open, free of any obstacles.

      Select the best tee shot (team one) and play from that spot. The selection of the location of the ball is a team or team captain's strategic decision. A few factors to determine what ball should be played are distance from hole, clearance of second shot (meaning whether the second shot is "free" of any obstacles and the likeliness that the shot will land in the fairway or green) and whether the tee shot is in a hazard (water, bunker or hit out of bounds). After selecting the ball to be played, you may pick up your ball and clean it. Mark the spot so you can place it back its original spot.

    • 3
      If you hit you ball in a hazard, like the water, you may drop your ball outside the hazard.

      Move four paces to the left or right of the spot of the chosen ball. You can't be closer than four paces to your partner at any time you are hitting on the fairway. You can drop the ball at your discretion (if your ball is in a hazard, you may "switchcut," meaning you can move the ball onto the fairway). Start your swing in accord with your teammate's. Continue the routine until you reach the green. Teams two and three will follow suit.

    On the Green

    • 4
      Selecting what ball to play is a strategic decision..

      Select the ball closest to pin (or the easiest shot). Factors in determining easiest shot include the "speed" of the green, slope of the shot and distance from pin, for example.

    • 5
      You can help your teammate with his putt by telling him his shot measurements (speed of green, slope, distance from pin, etc.)

      Move the ball two paces to the right or left of the selected ball. When moving the ball you may not place the ball any closer to the hole than the selected ball (don't drop the ball because it is possible you will be closer to the hole than the selected ball).

    • 6
      In SET format on short putts it is permissible to have only one player putt.

      Putt the ball simultaneously with your teammate.