Nina Caldwell
The Nassau is a golf betting game that is essentially three separate bets: the front nine holes (1–9), the back nine (10–18), and the total 18 holes. It is one of the most popular golf tournament formats and bets, known for its simplicity and strategic depth. The name Nassau comes from the Nassau Country Club in Glen Cove, New York, where it was invented in 1900 by club captain John B. Coles Tappan. The Nassau can be played with or without handicaps, making it accessible to golfers of varying abilities. One unique feature of the Nassau is the press bet, which can be implemented when a team is two holes down to open up another bet for the same amount as the original.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of players | 2 or 4 players |
| Game type | 1v1 or 2v2 |
| Bets | 3 separate bets |
| Scoring | Stroke play or match play |
| Bet amount | $2 per bet is common, but can vary |
| Press bet | Optional additional bet, usually for the same amount as the original bet |
| Handicap | Can be used to level the playing field |
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What You'll Learn
The three bets
The Nassau is a type of wager in golf that consists of three separate bets, or as some might say, three tournaments in one. Money is wagered on the best score on the front nine (holes 1–9), the back nine (holes 10–18), and the total 18 holes. The front nine is its own match, the back nine is its own match, and the "overall" is its own match, too.
The Nassau is typically played with two or four players, either as a 1v1 or 2v2. However, a 3-player game is possible, with one player taking on a pair of partners. This can be made more even by using handicaps, which determine how many strokes one player must give another.
The stakes for each of the three bets are agreed upon before the round begins, and can vary depending on the players' preferences and comfort levels. The most common form is the $2 Nassau, where each of the three bets is worth $2. However, the stakes can be higher, such as $5 for each bet, or $10.
The press bet is a common element of the Nassau, which can be implemented when a team is two holes down. This opens up another bet for the same amount as the original bet. For example, if a team is down two holes after the front nine, they can press and open up a new match on the back nine, which they will keep track of separately.
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Press bets
The Nassau is a type of wager in golf that consists of three separate bets: one for the best score on the front nine (holes 1–9), another for the back nine (holes 10–18), and a third for the total score across all 18 holes. The bet gets its name from the Nassau Country Club on Long Island, where it is said to have been invented in 1900.
The press bet is a side bet that can be implemented by the losing side at any time they go two points down to even their money for the front nine, back nine, or overall score. This opens up another bet for the same amount as the original bet. For example, if a team is down two points on the seventh hole, they can choose to press their front nine bet, starting a new wager from the seventh tee to the ninth green.
The press bet only runs for the remaining holes to be played. If a press bet is made on the overall score, it will continue throughout the match as a new bet even if the score is evened at any point during the press. Press bets can also be pressed if the player falls two points behind on the press bet, with the same amount as the original bet.
While there is no obligation for competitors to accept a press bet, it is generally considered bad form to turn it down. However, due to the potential for escalating stakes, groups may outline guidelines for press bets, such as only allowing presses when a team has won the original wager, when a team is down by at least two holes, or limiting the number of presses per 18 holes.
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How handicaps work
The Nassau is a golf wager that consists of three separate bets: the front nine (holes 1–9), the back nine (holes 10–18), and the total score across all 18 holes. Money is wagered on the best score for each of these three segments. The Nassau gets its name from the Nassau Country Club on Long Island, where it is said to have been invented in 1900.
The game is typically played with two or four players, either as a 1v1 or 2v2 match. It can also be played with three players (1v2), but this format is less common as handicaps would need to be introduced to balance the game.
Handicaps are used in golf to allow players of varying abilities to compete on a more level playing field. In a Nassau game, handicaps can be implemented to allow players to compete and wager against each other. The handicap will determine how many strokes one player must give another. For example, in team play, everyone uses their net score and plays off of the lowest player's handicap.
The use of handicaps and the specific handicap for each player should be agreed upon by all competitors before the game begins.
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Variations
The Nassau is one of the most popular golf tournament formats and bets, and its basic structure allows for a lot of flexibility and variation.
One of the most common variations is the "press" or "Nassau press", a side bet offered by the losing side to even their money for the front nine, back nine, or overall score. The press is so common that it is now expected that the team that goes two down at any point will press. The press bet is for the same amount as the original bet and runs for the remaining holes. For example, if a $2 Nassau is pressed once, it becomes $4, and if it is pressed again, another $2 bet is added to the front nine, making it $6. A press bet can itself be pressed if the player falls further behind.
Another variation is to play a Nassau in the stroke-play format, which allows only three players to compete.
The Nassau is usually played without handicaps, but these can be incorporated to level the playing field, making the game more competitive and enjoyable for golfers of different skill levels. Handicaps give each player a fair chance to compete and change the strategy of the game.
There are also various side bets, or "junk", that can be added to a Nassau. These include birdies, greens in regulation (and a par) on par 3s, sandies (up-and-down out of a bunker for par), and more creative bets such as hitting your ball off a tree and still making par ("barkies"). These bets are usually worth $1 or a higher amount, and are added or subtracted from the winning team's total at the end of the round.
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Setting stakes
Setting the stakes is an important part of the Nassau betting tradition in golf. The game is made up of three separate bets: one for the front nine holes, one for the back nine, and one for the overall 18-hole game. The stakes for each of these bets are typically agreed upon before the round begins and can vary widely depending on the players' preferences and comfort levels. It is important to establish clear terms and ensure that all players understand the rules and stakes involved.
The most common wager placed when playing Nassau is a $2 Nassau, where each of the three bets is worth $2, and the winning player or team takes home a total of $6. However, players are free to set their own stakes, and the bets can be for any amount of money or even non-monetary prizes, such as golf balls or drinks. For example, a $5-5-10 scenario would mean a wager of $5 on each of the front nine and back nine, and a wager of $10 on the overall 18-hole game, for a total possible win or loss of $20.
It is important to keep the bets at a comfortable level for all players and to be sure that the rules are well-established and agreed upon before the game begins. Negotiating these terms can be a playful and integral part of the Nassau experience, setting the stage for a friendly yet competitive round of golf.
In addition to the three main bets, Nassau also allows for ""press" bets, which can be implemented at any time, usually when a team is two holes down, to open up another bet for the same amount as the original bet. This adds another layer of strategy and competition to the game, as players can try to come back from a losing position.
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Frequently asked questions
The Nassau is a type of wager in golf that consists of three separate bets: the front nine, the back nine, and the total 18 holes. Money is wagered on the best score for each of these segments.
A Nassau bet is best played by two or four players, as it is a match-play game. It can be played 1v1 or 2v2.
A "press" is a side bet that is offered by the losing side during a Nassau match to even their money for the front nine, back nine, or overall. If the player who offers the press then beats their opponent, they win the press bet.
The Nassau bet can be played with or without handicaps, and the scoring format can vary. It can be played in stroke-play or match-play format. Additionally, there are various ways to determine the hole winner, such as using the low net score or the second team member's score as a tiebreaker.
