This article addresses the subject of using the golf scramble format to get more people involved in the wonderful game of golf.

Studies show that the number of golfers has remained fairly stagnant over the last few years. No doubt the cost of golfing is a major factor.

But another factor has to be the difficulty of playing the game to a reasonable level. People are embarrassed when their scores sour into the stratosphere. Some people overcome this by being a casual golfer - that is, a golfer who doesn't even keep score. They just go out and hit the golf ball around the course. That way they don't have to report a high golf score.

Let me suggest a way to get low-level golfers more involved in the game of golf. Consider the scramble.

A scramble isn't a formal golf format approved by the United States Golf Association (USGA) or the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, Scotland (R&A). It's a more informal way of playing golf much in use these days for more informal and relaxed golf tournaments.

The scramble format calls for each golfer to hit the golf ball from the tee box as usual. Then a decision is made among those playing in the group as to which is the best shot. The best shot could be the longest or the one that has a direct shot into the green. Once the decision is made as to which is the best shot (or lie), each player hits the golf ball from that spot (or roughly close to the spot).

This holds true on every shot - from the tee box, on the fairway, in the rough, or on the green.

The great thing about a scramble format is that each golfer doesn't have to worry about each shot. If they shank a shot, hopefully someone else will get a good shot where they can have an opportunity to get another good shot. In other words, every golfer in the group can contribute to the final score.

Here are two additional suggestions for using the scramble format:

1. When playing for fun, try TeeGolf in addition to using the scramble format.

TeeGolf (www.playteegolf.com) is a new golf game where you can place your golf ball on a tee anywhere on the golf course except the green. (This allows the novice golfer the opportunity to get a good stroke at the golf ball.)

TeeGolf also allows you to improve the lie of the golf ball. You can also take 3 Mulligans per round of golf.

Thus, combining the scramble format with TeeGolf makes the game of golf easier and less frustrating for the recreational golfer.

2. When playing a non-competitive round of golf with family and friends, using the scramble makes the game of golf more fun. Since you each will be hitting the golf ball from the same locations on the golf course, there will be more togetherness. Consequently, you will be able to enjoy each other’s company more during the round of golf.

Playing the scramble, keeping one score (and using TeeGolf, if you wish), makes the game of golf more enjoyable for the average or less-than-average golfer because it is more forgiving.

Give the scramble format a try and invite your family and friends, who may be leery about playing golf, to play golf in a format that is less demanding where everybody can contribute.