Okay, so, I’ve been messing around with this golf format called a “shamble” lately, and I gotta say, it’s been a blast. I figured I’d share my experience with y’all, from how I got into it to what I’ve learned along the way.
How I Got Started
It all started a few weeks back when my usual golf buddies suggested we try something different. We were getting a bit bored of the same old routine, you know? One of them mentioned this “shamble” thing he’d heard about, and we were all like, “Sure, why not?” We looked up the basic rules online—didn’t want to go in completely blind—and decided to give it a shot the following weekend.
Our First Round
So, we get to the course, four of us, ready to try this new format. The basic idea is that everyone tees off, just like normal. But here’s the twist: we pick the best drive out of the four. That’s where we all play our second shots from. So, you could have a killer drive, or have a bad first shot but still be in a good spot if one of your teammates did well.
- Tee Off: We all lined up and took our first swings. Luckily, my buddy John nailed one right down the middle. We were off to a good start!
- Second Shot: We all placed our balls within a club’s length of John’s drive—no closer to the hole, of course. From there, it was every man for himself.
- Playing it Out: This is where it gets interesting. You’re playing your own ball for the rest of the hole, but that shared starting point really changes things up. It adds a nice bit of strategy to each hole.
What I Learned
We played a full round, and man, it was fun! I don’t think we took the scoring too seriously that first time. Here’s what I noticed:
- Teamwork Matters: Even though you’re playing your own ball after the tee shot, that initial drive selection is huge. You gotta be honest about who had the best shot, even if it’s not yours.
- Less Pressure: Knowing that you’ve got three other guys potentially hitting a better drive than you takes some of the pressure off that first shot. It made the whole round more relaxed.
- Different Strategy: It forces you to think differently about your shots. Maybe you go for a riskier shot, knowing that even if you mess up, your team might have a better drive to use.
Figuring Out Scoring
We decided to keep the scoring simple: just add the best drive and individual scores for each hole. None of us are pros, so we were more about having fun than being super strict about the rules. I’ve heard there are different ways to do it, but this worked for us.
Overall Thoughts
Honestly, the shamble format is a great way to mix things up. It’s perfect for a casual round with friends. It makes you think a little more about teamwork, and it’s just a lot of fun. We’re definitely going to play it again. Maybe we’ll even get a little more competitive with the scoring next time. If you’re looking for a new way to enjoy golf, give the shamble a try. You might be surprised how much you like it!
