Scraimbles and Best Ball are two of the most common formats for golf events and charity tournaments, but many amateur players confuse both. It usually has nothing to do with how to play them, but on the contrary what is it. To be right, a clash feels like the best ball: everyone is hit, you choose the best goal and continue. That is where the confusion begins. Here is your simple guide to understanding and playing both formats in the right way.
How to play a golf clash
Scrambles are a team event. Everyone strikes from the same place and you continue to choose the best goal until the ball is in the hole. It is a form that speeds up the game, gets pressure and, for many players, it’s also a lot of fun. Here are the basic steps to play a clash:
- Everyone in the squad leaves.
- The team chooses the best goal.
- From that place, all the players hit again.
- Repeat until the ball is placed.
- A team score is recorded for each hole.
How to play a better ball tour
The best ball focuses more on the individual game. They all play their ball for the entire hole, but only a lower result counts for the team. It is still a team format, but your individual performance matters more here.
- Each player plays its ball from tee to the hole.
- At the end of the hole, the lowest individual result is used as the team’s result.
- All players continue to play their ball in each hole.
- Most of the best ball shifts have a gross and net division.

Which format is better?
Regardless of whether you enjoy better clashes or ball formats, it will probably be a personal opinion more than a true determination of which is better.
melee are ideal for players of all levels. It doesn’t matter what shoots. Everyone has to play and most players contribute at one point. If you have a great team, they can be an explosion.
The weaknesses of a clash is that you will not really play the course as you will do normally. You will not leave with your result and, for some serious players, this can be disappointing.
Top ball It is perfect for players who want to follow their game while still enjoying a team format. You will play the full course and see what you have shot, but it puts more pressure to give solid results. For new players in the game, the best ball format may not feel the right fit.
Final thoughts
Now you know the difference between Best Ball and Scramble. Always check with the tour committee to see if there are additional variations for the best ball or clash you are playing. Which one will you play better?
office Scramble versus the best ball: let’s make sure you are playing properly first appeared in MygolfSSS.