For most of us, golf is an individual -- not a team -- game. Each golfer in your group is playing against the course, and nothing that they do has any real impact on your own game. You can actually play your regular group without ever talking. But because of this, golfers always are looking for ways to add some interaction to the game. Best ball matches, alternate shot and scrambles are some popular formats. But for most golfers, the way to make things more interesting (and interactive) is to place a few side bets. The most popular bet in amateur golf is probably the $2 Nassau. It's a two-sided bet: player against player, or team against team. Nassaus lend themselves to a variety of team play formats. Scramble, four ball and alternate shot matches are common. Teams also can decide to play with, or without handicaps. The Nasssau gets its name from the Nassau Country Club on Long Island, where the format was invented in the early 1900s. The game also is known as "2-2-2", and "Best Nines." With awards for winning each side (front nine, back nine) and for all 18, the Nassau is essentially three separate bets. In a basic $2 Nassau, the player or team winning all three events would win $6. For those areas where betting cash is considered immoral, or illegal, Nassaus typically are played for two of something: golf balls, drinks, etc. Winners of all three bets could then win a half-a-dozen balls, or a six pack. Scoring Nassaus is something akin to that of match play golf. When a player or team has the low score on a hole, they score one point. A tie is a "push. The team or player with the most points at the end of each nine wins that side. The two nines are totaled for the 18 hole award. But if that's all there was to a Nassau, it is unlikely that it would be so popular among golfers. The real fun of a Nassau begins with the "press." Any time a team or individual is down by two or more points, they can "press" the bet. That means that an additional bet is placed for the remaining holes on the side. The original bet still stands, however. Players involved in a Nassau typically are obligated to accept a press. Here's an example of how it works: After six holes, Team A finds itself down by two points. They decide to press. Now, in addition to the original wager, a second bet has been placed for holes seven, eight and nine. If Team A wins two of the three, they still lose the original bet by one point. However, they break even because they won the press. If they lose two of the remaining holes, they end up paying off both wagers. In the best case scenario, they win all three remaining holes, and win both wagers. In some Nassau formats, the press is automatic when a player or team is down by two. One problem with Nassaus is that it can be difficult to keep track of the wagering. At the end of 18, it would not be unusual for players to have placed six or seven separate wagers. Nassaus also can become quite expensive -- even with the initial $2 limit. A Nasssau that has been pressed, double pressed, and triple pressed can quickly add up. Players usually avoid mass confusion and bank-breaking payouts by limiting the presses to no more than two per nine holes. Some matches also allow presses only on the last four holes of each nine. If the number of presses is controlled, Nassaus can be a very friendly betting format. The players who are down (presumably the less skilled players -- at least on that day) control the pace of the wagers. And because the bet is broken into two nines and a total, a bad nine won't ruin the whole day. The next time you're out on the course with your regular foursome, try a Nassau -- if only for a couple of sleeves of balls. A last couple of words of caution: Betting is not legal in all jurisdictions. Players should be aware of local regulations before placing a wager. And players should always remember to never bet more than they can afford to lose. Set a budget at the beginning of a match and stick to it. Read more about golf at Golf Blogger at http://www.golfblogger.com |
