Drunken Corporate Scramble Etiquette

[Michael Moore]

If you are playing in a six-hour hits and giggles sun-baked charity scramble sponsored by a microbrewery, where everyone is boozing and gabbing on his cell phone, with the usual prizes, is it OK to

1. Shush the rambunctious groups that have piled up on the tee behind you.

2. Point out to the group in front that it is illegal for them to share a driver.

Do the rules of golf and the etiquette guidelines apply here?

[Joe Hancock]

The situation you describe can hardly be called golf, so rules and etiquette do not apply. I have done those events before, and without the beer and snacks it is unbearable.

Joe

[Jfaspen]

Sounds like a good time to talk about the benefits of tree removal.

[A_Clay_Man]

MM- On point 1) If you swing while their being rambunctious, how is it their fault?

Point 2) See how the head pro reacts when you ask him if they are DQ'd from just the hole, or whole match.

On your last; If there's money at stake why shouldn't the rules be in play?

These are just my takes, on your questions. I will admit to being rarely right, or popular.

[Jeff Shelman]

My advice: Drink heavily. It's about the only way to tolerate a day like that.

[Tommy_Naccarato]

Michael,
I myself have been in one of those very same situations--a tournament for the Southern California Restaurant Owners Association, and it was an amazing tournament from a real "Non-golf" perspective. It was held at The Links at Monarch Beach which is just south of Laguna Beach.

Each tee was represented by one of following"

1-IN & OUT Burger--(Official Burger of GCA) You could literally order any amount of burgers you wanted. I saw a guy take not one but to 4 x 4 Animals with extra cheese, and he ate them both! (No, it wasn't me)
2-Saint Paulie Girl--Free SPG's as many as you wanted to take, but unfortunately they wouldn't let us take one of the St. Paulie Girls that were dowling them out.
3-Miller Genuine Draft--With the MGD Girls
4-Corona--One of the finest Mexican-American women I have ever seen to date
5-Jose Cuervo--I spent a little time on this tee
6-Budweiser and the girls serving it
7-Jodie Maroni Sausage Sandwiches
8-Jack Daniels
And a whole bunch of others that I can't remember at the moment. Everyone of them was giving away or trying to pour some alcoholic beverage cocktail down your throat.

When we were finished, they served steak and lobster while over-looking the gof course and the Pacific Ocean. It was a pretty cool tournament, and I think it took about 7 1/2 hours to play, but obviously no one cared.  I got there at like 7:30 in the morning and didn't leave till like 11:00pm at night.

[Marc Haring]

Reminds me of one of the London clubs that used to hold an annual stapleford where you'd get an extra point for every single whiskey consumed from a bottle laid out on every tee. Used to get some interesting results.

[A.G._Crockett]

It's difficult to consider etiquette and the Rules in events where you can buy mulligans, string, kicks, throws, roll the ball, etc., not to mention having your ball teed up by Hooter's girls!

One of my personal great moments in golf was the raffle after a scramble in which the box of raffle tickets was being held and shaken by a girl who had recently appeared in the 25th anniverary Playboy edition.  She was a former student of mine (HS Social Studies) and came over and gave me a big hug with several hundred Rotarians and guests watching.  For a few brief moments, I was da man...

[A_Clay_Man]

A.G.- Candi Loving?

Tommy- Did you give the restaraun assoc. a better ratiing becasue of the surf and turf?

Honestly folks, adapting to the hand dealt, is as important an aspect of the game as the big world theory, life and 406 yard drives.

The worse I ever saw was a nine hour round. WHat was even more amazing was that once I settled into the lack of rythm, I shot exceptionally well. weird.

[Mike Hendren]

Reminds me of one of the London clubs that used to hold an annual stapleford where you'd get an extra point for every single whiskey consumed from a bottle laid out on every tee. Used to get some interesting results.

Marc,

I'm guessing my net 64 at Lambert Acres in the 1979 Chub Open remains the tournament record.  Our fraternity held an annual tournament where you received a one stroke deduction for each 8 oz. Miller Pony consumed.  I shot 80 and consumed 16 Pony's (aka "Capsules") for the net 64.  The highlight was a net eagle at the last where I downed three beers before tapping in for a bogey.  As I recall Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs played in the basement that night.  All in all, a satisfying day!

Mike

[JohnV]

The best one of these I can recall hearing about is the "gentlemen's" club in Beaverton that holds a charity event each year.  The entertainers from the club work as the caddies for the groups (they are auctioned off the night before) and for the proper amount of money will give you very good targets to aim at on your putts.  Needless to say there is much drinking involved.  Much money is raised for local charities, but some people still think it is a terrible thing and have protested in the past.  I'm not sure if it still is being held.

As for the rules question, there are no rules in events like this except have a good time and don't whine when some other group shoots 52 for 18 holes.

[michael j fay]

Laugh as you might about the usage of alcohol at these outings, I have a theory that Prohibition was one of the prime motivating factors of Country Clubs in the US. Without the Volstead Act there might not have been as many Country Club Roads around. I seriously doubt that the Clubs in the US were dry. The Country Club provided the perfect vehicle for social imbibing during the dark, drinkless days. Private with prominent members in the Community the Country Club was a safe haven from the Untouchables.

[Dan Kelly]

The best one of these I can recall hearing about is the "gentlemen's" club in Beaverton that holds a charity event each year.

One shudders to imagine what the name of a "gentlemen's" club in Beaverton might be.

[Brian_Gracely]

Marc,

I'm guessing my net 64 at Lambert Acres in the 1979 Chub Open remains the tournament record.  Our fraternity held an annual tournament where you received a one stroke deduction for each 8 oz. Miller Pony consumed.  I shot 80 and consumed 16 Pony's (aka "Capsules") for the net 64.  The highlight was a net eagle at the last where I downed three beers before tapping in for a bogey.  As I recall Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs played in the basement that night.  All in all, a satisfying day!

Mike

Mike,

8oz pony beers?  Was this a fraternity or a sorority?  I really hope this wasn't a UT event as I believe you'd be expelled from any further SEC tailgating if word leaked out....  

[Brian_Gracely]

Shivas,

What's your unofficial take on when non-golf-related feats of strength pop up during these events (ie. most push-ups on the tee-box; arm-wrestling; long club-throwing contest).  Should other groups on the tee-box be allowed to wager?  

What is the ruling if other sports break out (ie. golf-club hockey, etc.) when multiple groups are stuck on the tee-box?  Should other groups be offered the option to play through, or should they be required to participate?  

[JohnV]

The best one of these I can recall hearing about is the "gentlemen's" club in Beaverton that holds a charity event each year.

One shudders to imagine what the name of a "gentlemen's" club in Beaverton might be.

I believe it is Stars.  Not too exciting considering the possibilities.

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

I will not stain these noble pages with my porn filled thoughts. However, there are several mens clubs in Houston where the quality and quanity of the woman is 5 star aka a 10 which have golf functions each year. The best of them have no rules for what can and cannot be done between shots with the girls. Therefore the word no or I don't do that is not part of any discussion. I would like to think our friends in Brazil or southest Asia could point out a few of the world's best corporate golfing outings if sex is to be part of the nongolf entertainment.

[Mike Hendren]

Gracely & Shivas,

May I come out from under the porch now?

Sometimes it's hard to be a woman.
- Tammy Wynette

Mike

[ForkaB]

I shall not mention the Marijuana Open held in Fairfield Country, CT in the 1970's, as I am not exactly sure that I ever played in it........

[Mike Benham]

Huckaby's famed Santa Teresa muni has horrible routing (for golf) since their long ago remodel but perfect for these DCS tournaments.

In the NW portion of the course, there is an area that is the middle of 3 greens and 3 tee boxes ... so within a 1 hour period you can come through this zone 3 times ... margarita bar, sausage grill, Haagen Daz freezer, gambling table ... (no skimply clad girls as this is a fine Jesuit affair ...)

[THuckaby2]

The cart girl tends to park there and do fine business.  Yep, in about a 50-75 yard square, you have #1 green, #2 tee, #5 green, #6 tee, #8 green, #9 tee.

It's interesting though - there's no danger there whatsoever.  The greens are all at different angles, as are the tees... And it is all separated by big thick trees.  I don't think I've ever seen anyone get hit.  It does get rather LOUD in that corner though, so concentration skills are paramount.

And yes, it works wonderfully for drunken scrambles.  But any organization that would try to sell such at Santa Teresa sure isn't gonna make much money.  Hence the Santa Clara events there!

TH

[Casey Wade]

Tommy, after hitting the first 8 holes with all that extra-curriclular activity, I wouldn't remember the next 10 either!

[David Wigler]

Back in my college bartending days, we were invited to play in a scramble outing sponsored by Glenlivet Scotch.  Glenlivet had provided shot stations at each tee box (And water stations).  All four of us were pretty decent golfers.  It was suggested that anyone not having a shot used during the hole, had to do a shot at the next tee box (Any putt under 4 feet did not count as having your shot used).  We managed to shoot 29 / 40 and my playing partners accidentally tipped a golf cart (Given a 5 1/2 hour pace, a few extra shots might have been drank).  What an experience.  I simply cannot pack it in like Shivas!

[Scott_Burroughs]

'Etiquette' and 'Drunken Corporate Scramble' shouldn't even be mentioned in the same sentence.  

It's the only time I'll drink and play at the same time, but only on the back nine.  I got tired of these types of tournaments a few years ago, and haven't accepted to play in one since.


People talking during my shots happens fairly often with me, so it doesn't bother me at all.  I 'John Daly' it on occasion, hitting quickly (it's called being ready - one does not need to watch everyone else's shot until it stops rolling, as long as the ball is in play) after someone else's shot, that people assume it's chat time.

[Rick Shefchik]

Is it proper etiquette for the cops to stop you in the club parking lot after one of these affairs, or after you've pulled out onto the street?

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