Ambrose
Guidelines for Playing Ambrose
An Ambrose event can be made up of teams of 2, 3 or 4 persons. While no formal rules apply to an Ambrose event it is considered a fun game and the following format/rules apply at Sunnybank Social Golf Club:
1. All team members tee off at each hole.
2. The team then chooses the best positioned ball for the next shot and this position is marked.
3. The player's ball which is being used may then be lifted (including bunkers and hazards).
4. Team members in no particular order are then to, within one club length of the marked position, PLACE their ball no nearer the hole (unless local rules allow tee-up) and play from this position. Note: no advantage is to be created in taking the one club length placement. i.e. if in a bunker or hazard then all must play from the bunker or hazard. If in the fringe or rough then all must play from the fringe or rough. In a sand bunker, the sand may be raked prior to any ball being placed.
5. This process continues until the ball is on the putting green.
6. On the green, the best position is again decided upon and marked.
7. Each player then places their ball within a card length of this spot, no closer to the hole and has one putt. The best putt (result) is again marked and the procedure repeated until a ball is holed, or a score cannot be bettered.
8. At the conclusion of the hole all players tee off at the next hole and the process begins again.
Slow Play
Ambrose can be a slow game. It is therefore important for the team to decide on which ball they are going to use as quickly as possible, so that the other players may collect their balls.
Normally in Ambrose, when you are on the putting green and you have a putt you are required to then mark your ball, and then the next person would have their shot. In our club to speed up play, if you are within 30cm (12") of the hole you can mark your ball and continue to have one more putt.
Selected Tee Shots
Each team member's tee shot must be used at least 2 times in a 4 person Ambrose, 3 times in a 3 person Ambrose and 4 times in a 2 person Ambrose. The marker must record whose tee shot was used on each hole, until each person has used their tee shot the minimum times required.
Scoring and Handicaps
Only one scorecard is kept for the team, and the card is marked as for a single stroke round.
All the team's individual handicaps are added together and divided by:
8 in a 4 person team.
6 in a 3 person team.
4 in a 2 person team.
The result is the teams handicap. i.e. in a 3 person team their individual handicaps are 9, 21 and 32. Combined handicap is 62 which is then divided by 6 which gives the team a handicap of 10 1/3 (the handicap is not rounded).
The nett score is their actual strokes scored minus the team handicap.
The lowest nett score wins the competition.
The Scorecard
The scorecard must show each team members name and full handicap. Ensure the card is dated and that it is signed by at least 2 persons from the group.