A scramble is already one of the most beginner-friendly golf formats around. But even the best scramble gets predictable after a few holes. On-course games break up the round, add excitement for every skill level, and. If you're running a charity or corporate event. Give you additional revenue streams through paid participation.
Here are 20 golf games that work perfectly in a scramble format, organized by type.
Classic Contest Holes
These are the staples. Every tournament has at least a couple, and for good reason: they're easy to set up, fun for all skill levels, and don't slow down play.
1. Closest to the Pin
Set up on a par 3. Each player hits their own tee shot (not the scramble ball). The player whose ball lands closest to the hole wins. Simple, fair, and universally loved. Run it on multiple par 3s if you have them.
2. Longest Drive
Designated on a par 4 or par 5 with a wide fairway. Each player hits their own drive. The ball that lands furthest in the fairway wins. Run separate men's and women's competitions. Works well as a sponsored hole.
3. Longest Putt
Set up a putting challenge on or near the green. Players putt from a designated distance (25-40 feet). The longest made putt wins a prize. Easy to run during a post-round cocktail hour if you don't want it on the course.
4. Hole in One Contest
A contest hole on a par 3, usually with a prize (car, vacation, cash) underwritten by a hole-in-one insurance policy. Players pay $5-10 to attempt the shot with their own ball. Low probability, high excitement.
Revenue-Generating Games
These games charge players to participate, making them effective fundraising tools for charity events.
5. Mulligans
Sell mulligans (do-over shots) at registration or on the first tee. $5-20 each, limit 2-3 per player. One of the highest-revenue add-ons at any charity golf event. Players buy them without hesitation.
6. Pink Ball
Each foursome gets one pink ball. Teams rotate the pink ball through the group, with each player responsible for one hole at a time. If the pink ball scores par or better, the team wins a prize. If lost, the team is eliminated from that competition. Adds tension throughout the round.
7. String Game
Players purchase a length of string (1 foot per dollar, so $10 = 10 feet of string). They can use the string to move their ball any distance. One inch at a time, or all at once. Cut the used portion off. Players use it to improve lies, escape hazards, or make short putts. Wildly popular at charity events.
8. Shoot the Joker
Each team receives a deck of cards. On designated holes, teams draw a card before teeing off. Face cards add strokes; low cards deduct them. The joker wipes out a hole entirely. Adds strategy and unpredictability to the scramble format.
9. 50/50 Raffle
Not hole-specific, but sell raffle tickets throughout the round. Half the pot goes to the winner, half to the event. Easy to administer, high participation.
Skill Games
10. Putting Contest
Set up a putting green challenge before or after the round. Players pay $5-10 to attempt a set number of putts from varying distances. The player who makes the most wins. Great for pre-round entertainment during check-in.
11. Chipping Contest
Mark a target on the practice green. Players chip from a set distance, closest to the pin wins. Run it as a competition during the post-round reception.
12. Beat the Pro
Bring in a golf pro (or a low-handicap volunteer). On a designated par 3, players pay to compete directly against the pro. Players who beat or tie the pro win a prize. High engagement, good storytelling for social media.
Fun Format Twists
13. Blind Bogey
Before the round, each team selects a target score (their "bogey") without knowing the course difficulty. The team whose actual score comes closest to their predicted score wins. Levels the playing field and keeps everyone in the hunt regardless of skill.
14. Stableford Scoring
Instead of stroke counting, use point scoring: double bogey = 0 points, bogey = 1, par = 2, birdie = 3, eagle = 4. Works well for groups with mixed handicaps and keeps morale high even after a bad hole.
15. Las Vegas
Two-team game where each team's two individual scores are combined into a two-digit number (lower score first). If one team shoots 4 and 6, their number is 46. The other team shoots 5 and 7, their number is 57. Difference (11) is the score. Best played with cash stakes between teams.
16. Bingo Bango Bongo
Three points available per hole: first ball on the green (bingo), closest to the pin once all balls are on the green (bango), first to hole out (bongo). Points accumulate across the round. Works in a scramble with slight rule modifications.
Novelty and Themed Holes
17. Obstacle Hole
Add a fun obstacle on one hole: a tire, a ramp, a temporary wall. Players must hit through or over it. Usually on a par 3. Gets people laughing and slows down for a minute in a good way.
18. Trick Shot Exhibition
Invite a trick shot artist to perform at one hole during the round. Players can attempt their own trick shots for a small fee. Works best at the turn (hole 9 or 10) when there's a natural break.
19. Golf Ball Drop
Sell numbered golf balls ($5-20 each) to be dropped from a height onto a target. The ball that lands closest wins a prize. Run during the post-round awards ceremony. Requires minimal setup and generates consistent revenue.
20. Themed Costume Hole
Designate one hole with a costume theme (Hawaiian, 80s, decade-specific). Teams that dress for the theme get a free mulligan or a small prize. Creates memorable photos and increases social media sharing.
How to Choose the Right Games for Your Event
Not every game fits every event. Here's a quick guide:
- Charity events: Prioritize revenue-generating games (mulligans, string game, pink ball, 50/50 raffle). These add $1,500-5,000+ in revenue to a well-run 80-player tournament.
- Corporate events: Focus on inclusive games that don't embarrass beginners. Closest to the pin, longest drive, and the string game work for all skill levels.
- Casual outings: Pick 3-4 games max. Too many slow down the round and overwhelm organizers.
Run Your Scramble with Kismet
The games are only as good as the event around them. Kismet handles registration, pairings, live scoring, and sponsor management for scrambles and tournaments of all sizes. So your committee can focus on making the day memorable instead of managing spreadsheets.
Get started free or book a 15-minute demo to see how it works.
