In the world of amateur and recreational golf, few scoring formats are as enduring and widely played as the Nassau. Whether you're out with friends for a Saturday morning match or playing in a low-stakes club tournament, chances are someone will suggest "playing a Nassau." But what exactly does that mean, how does it work, and why is it such a staple in golf culture?
This guide will explain everything you need to know about the Nassau format: how it works, how scoring is calculated, common variants like presses and automatic bets, and why it's so popular among both casual and competitive players.
The Basics: What Is a Nassau in Golf?
A Nassau is a betting format that divides an 18-hole round of golf into three separate matches, each with its own wager:
The Front Nine
The Back Nine
The Overall 18 holes
Instead of playing one single match for 18 holes, players compete for three different scores. That means even if a player has a poor first half of the round, they can reset mentally and still win on the back nine or even salvage the overall.
Each of the three matches is typically wagered at the same monetary amount, but players can agree to any values.
Example:
Let’s say two players agree to play a $10 Nassau. This breaks down into:
$10 for the front nine
$10 for the back nine
$10 for the overall 18
This allows for more opportunities to win or lose, making the round more engaging without excessively high stakes.
How Scoring Works in a Nassau
Nassau can be used with different scoring formats, but it's most commonly paired with match play scoring. In match play, golfers compete to win individual holes, rather than counting total strokes over the entire round.
Match Play Nassau Example:
Let’s say Player A and Player B are playing a $10 Nassau match:
Front Nine: Player A wins 5 holes, Player B wins 4
→ Player A wins the front nine and $10Back Nine: Player B wins 5 holes, Player A wins 3, 1 hole tied
→ Player B wins the back nine and $10Overall: Player A wins 8 holes total, Player B wins 9
→ Player B wins the overall 18 and another $10
In this case, Player B wins the match 2 to 1 and is up $10 total.
Nassau also works in stroke play, where each nine and the full round are scored by the total number of strokes. Players simply compare their stroke totals for each segment.
Why Golfers Love Nassau Format
The Nassau format is popular for a number of good reasons:
Multiple Opportunities to Win: If you lose the front nine, you're not out of the match. You can come back on the back nine or overall.
Reduces Pressure: Players don’t feel like their round is over after a few bad holes.
Ideal for Friendly Matches: You can play for money, pride, or lunch — it’s flexible and fun.
Encourages Competitive Focus: The split scoring encourages players to reset and focus at different points in the round.
Easily Adaptable to Handicaps: Players of different skill levels can use their handicaps to even out competition.
What Is a Nassau Press?
One of the most strategic and entertaining parts of playing Nassau is the concept of a press. A press is essentially a side bet that a player can initiate when they’re losing one of the segments.
How a Press Works:
If you’re down in a segment (say, 3 down after 6 holes on the front nine), you can initiate a press. This starts a new bet for the remaining holes of that segment.
It gives the losing player a chance to “double down” and make back what they’ve lost.
Example:
You're down 3 holes after 6 holes on the front nine.
You "press" the front nine. Now you're betting on the final 3 holes.
If you win 2 out of the 3 final holes, you win the press and the amount agreed upon.
You’re still likely to lose the original front nine bet, but you’ve created a new opportunity to win money or square things up.
Rules and Etiquette of Pressing
There are no official PGA Tour rules for Nassau presses, but in recreational golf, there are some common understandings:
A press is typically initiated by the player or team who is down in the match.
You can press the front nine, back nine, or overall at any time when you’re behind.
Most groups allow only one press per segment, but some allow multiple presses (known as “re-presses”).
Presses usually match the original bet value, but players can agree otherwise.
Important: All presses should be agreed upon by all players before the match starts to avoid confusion or disputes.
What Is an Automatic Press?
An automatic press is a pre-agreed rule where a press is automatically triggered once a player is a certain number of holes down.
For example, a group might decide:
“If you're 2 down at any point in a segment, a new press automatically begins.”
This keeps the match exciting and avoids players feeling awkward about asking for a press.
Can Nassau Be Played in Teams?
Yes, and it’s very popular in team formats like:
Two-man best ball: Each team plays their best score for each hole.
Scramble or alternate shot: Nassau can be applied to virtually any scoring style.
Just like singles, the match is split into front, back, and overall, and each can be pressed or played independently.
Nassau vs Other Golf Bets
| Format | Description | Why Choose It? |
|---|---|---|
| Nassau | 3-part match (front, back, total) with optional presses | Most flexible, player-friendly format |
| Skins Game | Each hole has a monetary value; winner of the hole wins the “skin” | Good for larger groups |
| Stableford | Points-based system for scoring relative to par | Rewards aggressive play |
| Match Play | Hole-by-hole competition (no stroke totals) | Great for head-to-head competition |
| Stroke Play | Total strokes over 18 holes | Standard tournament format |
Nassau is arguably the most beginner-friendly betting structure and provides a great balance between competition and fun.
Strategic Tips for Winning a Nassau
Start Strong on the Front Nine
Winning early helps you secure one-third of the match and apply pressure.Know When to Press
If you're just one down with a few holes left, it may not be worth pressing. But if you're 3 down after 5 holes, pressing makes more sense.Manage Risk Based on the Segment
If you’re tied on the back nine but losing overall, you might play more aggressively to flip the outcome.Keep Emotions in Check
A well-timed press or comeback can swing the match. Stay patient and positive.Be Transparent About Presses
Always clarify with your playing partner when a press is made and what it covers.
Handicap Adjustments in Nassau
To level the playing field between players of different skill levels, you can apply handicaps.
Here’s how:
Calculate each player’s course handicap.
Subtract the lower handicap from the higher to find the difference.
The higher-handicap player receives strokes on the hardest holes (starting with hole 1, based on stroke index).
This makes the Nassau fair and enjoyable for golfers of all skill levels.
Final Thoughts
The Nassau is more than just a golf betting format — it’s a tradition. It turns every round into a game within a game, keeping matches alive even when a player falls behind. With multiple ways to win, strategic decisions like pressing, and easy adaptation to team formats and handicaps, it’s no wonder Nassau is the go-to format for many golfers around the world.
If you're tired of the same old stroke play rounds and want to add some fun, competition, and strategy to your next round, give Nassau a try. Just make sure everyone agrees on the rules beforehand — especially around pressing — and enjoy the elevated excitement that comes with every hole.
