How to play a Nassau in golf
A Nassau is three match play bets in one round: the front 9, the back 9 and the overall 18. Lose the front and you can still win the back and the overall, so the game stays alive all day.
- Players
- 2 (1 v 1) or 4 (2 v 2)
- Scoring
- Three match play bets, plus presses
- Best for
- Regular rivals who like a side bet
Three bets in one
Each bet is played as match play: win, lose or halve each hole. The front 9 bet covers holes 1 to 9, the back 9 bet holes 10 to 18, and the overall bet all 18. The stake is usually the same on each, so a “$5 Nassau” means $5 on each of the three.
Presses
A press is a new bet started by the side that’s behind. It runs from the next hole to the end of that nine (or to the 18th for the overall bet), alongside the original. If the pressing side falls behind again, they can press the press.
Example: two down after hole 12, Alex presses. The press is a new bet over holes 13 to 18. Alex can win the press even if Sam still takes the back 9.
In LiveBirdies a press stands once it’s made, even if a score is corrected later.
Automatic presses
Many groups play automatic presses: a new bet starts whenever a side goes 2 down. No arguments about whether to press.
Handicaps
As in match play, strokes are given off the low: the lowest handicap plays off scratch and the others get the difference. With four players it’s pairs, and each side’s better net score counts.
Men and women on cards with different pars? Whoever’s on the higher-par card gets the difference as extra strokes (the World Handicap System rule), and LiveBirdies does it for you once the pars are in.
Concede a hole by tapping Pick up: it goes to the other side straight away, without them entering a score (if both sides pick up, it’s halved). A conceded hole counts in every bet it’s part of, presses included.
Settling up
Count bets won and lost, presses included. If Sam wins the front 9 and the overall but loses the back 9, he’s up one bet. A halved bet counts for nobody.
Scoring a Nassau with LiveBirdies
LiveBirdies runs all three bets and every press at once. Choose manual presses (the side that’s behind gets a Press button) or automatic presses at 2 down, and see every bet’s status live. It never handles money.