| Las Vegas Desert Golf Rules | |
| USGA rules apply / LOCAL SCORECARD | |
| 2-Person best ball-play your own ball into the hole, NO “GIMMEES”. Max 3 strokes over Par on any hole. Record that score, as it will be used to calculate handicaps. Any disputes will be settled at the scoring table after play. Proper attire as required by hosting course. Teams must exchange scorecards and record individual GROSS scores only (theirs and yours). Hole by Hole scores will be tallied when input into the scoring program. | |
| Tie Breaking Rule – USGA | |
| NET: If the net score is tied after 18 holes, the winner is determined on the basis of the best net score for the last nine holes. If there is still a tie, the winner is determined on the basis of the best net score for the last six holes. If there is still a tie, the winner is determined on the basis of the best net score for the last three holes. And finally, if there is still a tie, the winner is determined on the basis of the best net score for the 18th hole. One half, one third, one sixth, or one 18th of the course handicap is deducted. Fractions of one-half stroke or more count as a full stroke. GROSS: If the gross score is tied after 18 holes, the winner is determined on the basis of the best gross score for the last nine holes. If there is still a tie, the winner is determined on the basis of the best gross score for the last six holes. If there is still a tie, the winner is determined on the basis of the best gross score for the last three holes. And finally, if there is still a tie, the winner is determined on the basis of the best gross score for the 18th hole. | |
| USGA Handicap Index | |
| The USGA Handicap Index is based on the best differentials of the players scoring record. If a player’s scoring record contains 20 or more scores, then the best 10 handicap differentials of the most recent 20 scores are used to calculate the USGA Handicap Index. The number of the best differentials used decreases as the number of scores in the scoring record decreases. A USGA Handicap Index shall not be issued to a player who has returned fewer than 5 acceptable scores. | |
| Number of Acceptable Scored | Differentials To Be Used |
| 5 or 6 | Lowest 1 |
| 7 or 8 | Lowest 2 |
| 9 or 10 | Lowest 3 |
| 11 or 12 | Lowest 4 |
| 13 or 14 | Lowest 5 |
| 15 or 16 | Lowest 6 |
| 17 | Lowest 7 |
| 18 | Lowest 8 |
| 19 | Lowest 9 |
| 20 | Lowest 10 |
| Determine the handicap differentials Average the handicap differentials being used Multiply the average by .96Delete all numbers after the tenths digit. Do not round off to the nearest tenth. |
Playing the 2-Man Scramble
Golfer A and Golfer B form our team in a 2-Man Scramble tournament. On the first tee, both golfers hit drives. They compare the results. Which ball is in the best position? Let’s say Golfer B’s drive is best. So, Golfer A picks up his ball and moves it to the location of Golfer B’s. (The most commonly used criteria for placing the moved ball are to place it within one club-length of the selected ball’s position.)
Both golfers then play their second strokes from that location. They compare the results of the second strokes and, again, select the ball in the best position. The other golfer moves his or her ball to that location.
This method of play continues until the golf ball is holed to record the team score.
Calculating Handicaps in a 2-Person Scramble
How are team handicaps determined for a 2-Person Scramble? The governing bodies (USGA and R&A) do not provide rules for handicapping scrambles. However, the most commonly used method for handicapping a 2-man scramble is also the one recommended by the USGA.
- First, both golfers on a team determine their course handicaps.
- Then take 35-percent of Golfer A’s course handicap. Add it to 15-percent of Golfer B’s course handicap.
Where Golfer A is the lower-handicapped player on the team and Golfer B the higher-handicapped.
Let’s do an example. Say Golfer A’s handicap is 8 and Golfer B’s is 21. Thirty-five percent of 8 is 2.8; 15 percent of 21 is 3.15. So, add 2.8 and 3.15 to get 5.95, and this team’s scramble handicap is 6 (round up or down to the nearest whole number).
DESERT SHAMBLE:
- Members of the team each hit tee shots and select the best drive.
- From there each player plays their own ball into the hole.
- Each player writes both of their scores on the scorecard.
- Handicaps in Desert Shamble we use your full handicap.