Master Nassau Golf: Rules, Bets & Pressing

If you’ve ever stood on the first tee wondering how to make a friendly round of golf more exciting, you’ve likely heard the term “Nassau.” Yet, for many players, the specific rules around setting stakes, scoring, and especially the mysterious “press” can be confusing, often leading to on-course debates instead of friendly competition. The real challenge is finding a definitive, easy-to-follow guide that explains not just the basics, but the nuances that make the game so popular.

A Nassau is a golf betting game consisting of three separate bets: one for the best score on the front nine, one for the best score on the back nine, and one for the best overall score across all 18 holes. This structure transforms a single round into three distinct matches, ensuring continuous engagement and multiple opportunities to win.

This comprehensive guide breaks down exactly how to play Nassau golf, from its historical origins to mastering advanced side bets. Leveraging a deep analysis of the game’s core mechanics and common practices, we will unpack everything you need to know. You’ll learn the step-by-step process for setting up a game, the critical rules of pressing a bet, how to incorporate handicaps for a fair match, and the popular variations that can add another layer of excitement to your next round.

Key Facts

Three Bets in One: The core of every Nassau game is its structure as three separate matches: one for the front nine (holes 1-9), one for the back nine (holes 10-18), and one for the overall 18-hole score.

Historical Origins: The game was invented around the year 1900 at the Nassau Country Club on Long Island, New York, by club captain John B. Coles Tappan as a way to create more balanced matches against visiting clubs.

The “Press” is Standard: A “press” is an optional second bet, almost always accepted out of etiquette, initiated by the losing team when they are two or more holes down to create a new match over the remaining holes.

Ideal for Foursomes: While playable with two people, the Nassau golf game is perfectly suited for foursomes (2v2) and is typically played using a match-play format where holes are won, lost, or tied.

Handicaps Ensure Fairness: To accommodate players of varying abilities, handicaps are almost always used to adjust scores, giving every competitor a reasonable chance to win any of the three matches.

Contents show

What is Nassau Golf? A Definitive Guide to the 3-in-1 Betting Game

A Nassau is a golf betting game consisting of three separate bets: one for the best score on the front nine, one for the best score on the back nine, and one for the best overall score across all 18 holes. This popular format is essentially three games wrapped into one, making it one of the most engaging and widely played wagering games in golf. If you’re looking for a way to liven up a casual round, learning how to play Nassau golf is an essential skill.

The structure of the Nassau bet ensures that players remain invested throughout the entire 18 holes. Even if one player or team has a terrible start and loses the front nine decisively, they have a fresh start on the 10th tee. The game is broken down into these three distinct parts:

The Front Nine: A match played across holes 1 through 9.
The Back Nine: A second, separate match played across holes 10 through 18.
The Overall 18: A third match determined by the winner of the full 18-hole round.

Quick Fact: Did you know the Nassau was invented to make matches more competitive, not less? The format originated around 1900 at the Nassau Country Club in Long Island, New York. Club captain John B. Coles Tappan developed the game because other clubs were hesitant to compete against his highly skilled members. By breaking the round into three matches, it gave opponents more opportunities to win and kept the competition balanced and engaging.

How to Play Nassau Golf: A Step-by-Step Guide

To play Nassau, agree on stakes for the front 9, back 9, and overall 18 holes. Compete in match play, winning holes to go “up.” The player or team who wins the most holes in each of the three segments wins that bet. The beauty of the Nassau golf game lies in its simplicity, but following a clear process ensures everyone is on the same page before the first ball is struck.

Learning how to play Nassau golf is straightforward. Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to get your first game started:

Determine Players and Teams: The Nassau is best played with two or four players. In a foursome, it’s typically played as a 2v2 team game. While you can theoretically play with three people (often one against two), the handicap and betting structure can become uneven, so pairs or head-to-head competition is recommended.
Set the Stakes: Before teeing off, all players must agree on the monetary value of the Nassau. This is the most crucial step to avoid confusion later. For example, a “$5 Nassau” means the front nine is worth five dollars, the back nine is worth five dollars, and the overall 18 is worth five dollars. The total amount at risk for any single player is the sum of these three bets.
Choose a Scoring Format: While the game can be adapted for stroke play, the traditional and most common way to play is match play. In this format, players or teams compete to win individual holes. The team with the lowest score on a hole wins that hole. If scores are tied, the hole is “halved” or pushed. The score is tracked by how many holes a team is “up” or “down,” not by the total number of strokes.
Play and Score Each Match: As you play, you keep three separate scores running concurrently: one for the front nine match, one for the back nine match, and one for the overall 18-hole match. A team wins a match when their lead is insurmountable (for example, being “3 up” with only 2 holes left to play). After the round, you settle the three bets. A single team could win all three bets, lose all three, or any combination in between.

Pro Tip: Before you tee off, make sure everyone clearly understands the stakes. A common format is a ‘$5 Nassau’, meaning each of the three matches is worth $5. Clarity at the start prevents confusion on the 18th green.

Setting the Stakes: From a $2 Nassau to Custom Bets

A “$10 Nassau” means you play for $10 on the front nine, $10 on the back nine, and $10 on the overall 18, totaling a $30 risk. The monetary value, or stake, is the foundation of any Nassau golf bet, and its structure is both simple and flexible. Players can agree to any amount, from a friendly wager to a more substantial sum. The key is that the amount defines the value for each of the three separate bets.

This is often expressed with a single value, such as a “$2 Nassau,” a “$5 Nassau,” or a “$10 Nassau.” This shorthand, sometimes called a “2-2-2” or “5-5-5,” makes it easy to set up the game. However, players can also get creative and assign different values to each match to change the dynamic of the game. For instance, a group might want to place more emphasis on the overall score.

Here is a simple table illustrating how different stake structures work:

Bet Name	Front 9 Value	Back 9 Value	Overall 18 Value	Total Potential Wager
“$5 Nassau”	$5	$5	$5	$15
“$10 Nassau”	$10	$10	$10	$30
“5-5-10”	$5	$5	$10	$20
“2-2-5”	$2	$2	$5	$9

Think of it like three separate mini-games, each with its own small prize. This structure is a big part of what makes the Nassau golf game so appealing—you know your maximum potential loss from the outset, which keeps the pressure manageable and the focus on fun.

Scoring the Match: Match Play vs. Stroke Play

The most common way to score Nassau is match play, where you win or lose holes. The side that wins the most holes wins that portion of the bet. Although the Nassau game can be adapted to different scoring methods, match play is the traditional and universally preferred format. It pits players or teams directly against each other on a hole-by-hole basis, creating a dynamic and competitive atmosphere.

Here’s a breakdown of the two main scoring formats:

Match Play (Most Common): In this format, the total score doesn’t matter as much as the number of holes won. The player or team with the lowest score on a given hole wins that hole. If they tie, the hole is halved. The score is kept relative to par, but in terms of being “up” (leading), “down” (trailing), or “all square” (tied). For example, if you win the first two holes, you are “2 up.” If your opponent then wins the third hole, you are back to “1 up.” You win the match when you are up by more holes than there are left to play.
Stroke Play (Adaptation): While less common, you can also apply the Nassau bet to a standard stroke play round. In this version, players simply compare their total scores for each segment. The player with the lowest score on the front nine wins the first bet, the player with the lowest score on the back nine wins the second, and the player with the lowest total 18-hole score wins the third. This is a simpler way to track the bet if you’re already focused on your total score.

Prefer head-to-head competition on every hole? Match play is for you. More interested in the total score? Opt for stroke play. For the authentic Nassau experience, however, match play is the undisputed champion.

The “Press”: How to Master Nassau’s Most Exciting Bet

A “press” is a new bet started by a losing team (usually when 2 holes down) that covers only the remaining holes of a match, offering a chance to win back the initial bet. This single element is what transforms a standard Nassau from a simple wager into a thrilling, strategic game of cat and mouse. Understanding how and when to use the press is essential for anyone who wants to fully master how to play Nassau golf.

The press introduces a “double or nothing” dynamic and gives the trailing team a fighting chance to salvage a match. Here is the step-by-step sequence of how a press works:

The Trigger: A press is almost always initiated by the player or team that is losing a match. The generally accepted rule is that a team must be two or more holes down (“2 down”) before they have the right to press the bet.
Initiating the Press: The losing team declares they are “pressing.” This creates an entirely new, separate bet that runs for the remaining holes of that specific segment (front nine, back nine, or overall).
The New Bet: The value of the press bet is typically the same as the original bet. For example, in a $5 Nassau, the press is also worth $5. This new bet is decided only by the outcome of the remaining holes. The original bet is still active and will be decided by the final hole count for that nine.
Acceptance Etiquette: While the leading team technically has the option to decline a press, it is considered very poor etiquette to do so. A core, unwritten rule of the Nassau golf game is that presses are accepted to keep the competition lively and give the losing side a fair chance to recover.

A press effectively creates a game within a game. It’s a bold move that can either mitigate your losses or, if things don’t go well, escalate them. It’s possible for multiple presses to occur in a single round, raising the stakes even further.

Pro Tip: While you can technically decline a press, it’s considered good form to accept. It’s all part of the game’s friendly competition!

Leveling the Field: How to Use Handicaps in Nassau

Handicaps are used in Nassau to make the game fair. Weaker players receive strokes on the hardest holes, balancing the competition against more skilled players. One of the main reasons the Nassau golf game is so popular is its adaptability for players of all skill levels. By incorporating handicaps, a scratch golfer and a high-handicapper can compete on a level playing field, ensuring the match remains competitive and fun for everyone involved.

Using handicaps is essential for a balanced and fair Nassau bet. It prevents a much stronger player from dominating all three matches and keeps everyone engaged. Here’s why and how they are used:

Ensures Fair Competition: The primary purpose of a handicap is to even the odds. It allows every participant a reasonable chance to win.
Adjusts Scores: A handicap determines how many strokes a weaker player “receives” from a stronger player. These strokes are applied on the most difficult holes as determined by the course’s handicap rating for each hole.
Keeps the Game Engaging: When the outcome feels predetermined, the game loses its excitement. Handicaps ensure that every hole is contested, maintaining the social and competitive spirit of the game.

How it Works: The application of handicaps is straightforward. First, players determine the difference in their course handicaps. That difference is the number of strokes the weaker player gets. For example, if Player A is a 10 handicap and Player B is an 18 handicap, Player B gets 8 strokes. These strokes are then applied on the 8 most difficult holes (ranked 1-8 on the scorecard’s handicap line). If Player B gets a stroke on a par-4 and scores a 5, their net score for the hole is a 4. This net score is then used to determine who won the hole in the match-play format.

Playing with a golfer who’s much better than you? Handicaps are the key to keeping the Nassau exciting for everyone. Agreeing on how handicaps will be used before the round starts is just as important as setting the stakes.

Spice It Up: Common Nassau Variations and Side Bets (“Junk”)

Enhance your Nassau with “junk” side bets like “Sandies” (par from a bunker) or “Barkies” (par after hitting a tree) to add more action to every hole. While the classic three-bet format is the core of the game, many golfers love to add another layer of excitement with various side bets, collectively known as “junk.” These are small, individual wagers on specific achievements that can be won or lost on any hole.

These junk bets add more opportunities to win money back, even if you are losing the main Nassau match. The values for these bets are agreed upon before the round and are tallied up at the end. Here are some of the most popular junk bets:

Bet Name	Description
Birdies	A predetermined payout for making a birdie (one-under-par).
Sandies	Getting “up and down” from a greenside bunker to make par.
Barkies	Making par on a hole after your ball has hit a tree during play.
Greens in Regulation (GIR)	Hitting the green in the regulated number of strokes and making par. This is especially popular on par-3s.

Beyond junk bets, players can also modify the structure of the main Nassau bet itself. These are often called “Ways” games, where the values for the front, back, and overall are scaled differently.

5 Ways: The bets are weighted 1-2-2, meaning the front nine is worth one unit, while the back nine and overall are each worth two units.
7 Ways: The bets are weighted 2-2-3, placing the most emphasis on the 18-hole match.
Aloha: This is a press bet made on the final hole of a match, often for a different, pre-agreed amount.

Pro Tip: Agree on the ‘junk’ bets and their values before you tee off on the first hole to avoid any confusion later!

For those looking to manage all these exciting bets on the course, investing in a good golf scorecard holder or specialized betting chips can make tracking everything much simpler.

Why Nassau is Golf’s Go-To Betting Game

The Nassau game is popular because it’s simple to learn, keeps players engaged for all 18 holes with three separate chances to win, and is easily adaptable with handicaps. Its enduring appeal isn’t an accident; the game is brilliantly designed to maximize fun and friendly competition while minimizing financial risk and complexity. For decades, it has remained a staple for golfers everywhere because it perfectly balances excitement with simplicity.

When you analyze what makes a golf betting game successful, the Nassau checks every box. It addresses the common pitfalls of other formats—like a player losing interest after a few bad holes—and fosters a positive social environment. The core reasons for its widespread popularity can be broken down into a few key benefits:

✅ Simplicity: At its heart, the game is just three separate matches. The basic rules are incredibly easy to understand, making it accessible even for beginners learning how to play Nassau golf for the first time.
✅ Continuous Engagement: This is perhaps its greatest strength. A disastrous front nine doesn’t ruin the day. Players get a clean slate on the 10th hole, keeping everyone invested and competitive for the entire round.
✅ Flexibility: The game is easily adapted for any situation. You can use handicaps for players of different skill levels, add numerous side bets to increase the action, and set stakes that are comfortable for everyone in the group.
✅ Manageable Stakes: Because the bet is broken into three smaller wagers, players always know their maximum upside and downside. This prevents the financial pressure from overshadowing the fun of the game.
✅ Social Aspect: Above all, the Nassau is a social game. It fosters camaraderie, friendly trash talk, and memorable moments on the course, turning a standard round of golf into a shared competitive experience.

A bad start on the front nine doesn’t ruin your day. It’s like a baseball game—you get two more at-bats in the back nine and overall match. This resilience is what makes the Nassau a timeless classic.

FAQs About Playing Nassau Golf

What is a $10 Nassau in golf?

A “$10 Nassau” refers to a game where each of the three bets—the front nine, the back nine, and the overall 18 holes—is worth $10. This means a player stands to win or lose a maximum of $30 from the main bets, not including any presses or side bets that may occur during the round.

How does pressing work in Nassau if you’re already down?

Pressing is designed specifically for the player or team that is down in a match. The standard rule is you must be at least “2 down” to initiate a press. This creates a new, separate bet for the same stake that covers only the remaining holes, giving you a chance to win back your original wager for that segment or break even.

Can you have multiple presses active at the same time?

Yes, it is possible to have multiple presses active simultaneously, which can significantly escalate the stakes. For instance, if a team presses when they are 2 down, loses the next hole to go 3 down, they may be able to press again (sometimes called a “re-press”). The rules for re-pressing should be agreed upon before the round.

How do you calculate winnings if there are presses and side bets?

At the end of the round, you settle each bet individually. First, determine the winners of the three main Nassau bets (front, back, overall). Then, calculate the outcomes of any presses that occurred. Finally, tally up all the individual “junk” bets like birdies or sandies. The final payout is the net total of all these combined wagers.

What happens if one of the three matches ends in a tie?

If a match—for example, the front nine—ends in a tie (or “all square”), it is considered a “push.” This means no money is exchanged for that specific bet. The wager is simply voided for that portion of the game, and players move on to settle the other active bets from the round.

Is a Nassau a good game for beginners?

Yes, the Nassau is an excellent game for beginners. Its basic rules are very simple to understand, and the use of handicaps ensures that a novice player can compete fairly against more experienced golfers. The three-match format also keeps the game from feeling overwhelming, as it provides multiple chances to win and stay engaged.

Final Summary: Key Rules for Your Next Nassau Game

The enduring legacy of the Nassau golf game is a testament to its brilliant design. It’s a game that’s easy to learn but offers layers of strategy through pressing and side bets. The key to enjoying your next Nassau is to remember the foundational rules and ensure everyone in your group is on the same page before you start. It transforms any round into a dynamic and social competition with multiple chances for victory.

To ensure your next game runs smoothly, keep this simple checklist of rules in mind:

The Three Bets: Remember the core of the game is always the three matches: front nine, back nine, and the overall 18.
Agree on Stakes: Clearly define the value of the Nassau (e.g., “$5 Nassau”) and any side bets before the first tee shot.
Clarify Handicaps: Determine how handicaps will be applied to ensure the match is fair for all skill levels.
Understand the Press: Know that a press is typically initiated when a team is “2 down” and is almost always accepted as a matter of good sportsmanship.
Settle Up Simply: At the end, tally each of the three main bets, then add any presses and junk bets to determine the final payout.

Now that you know the rules, grab your partners, set your friendly stakes, and try a Nassau on your next round

Last update on 2025-10-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API