Golf, to some, is a sport played between an individual and the course. For others, golf is a game, which brings two or more people together to compete. For still others, it is a social event that brings people together for hours of fun in the sun.

Research has established that nearly 95 percent of all golfers make some kinds of  wager on the golf course. Armed with this information, it would be safe to say, yet another type of golfer can be found on the course – the gambler. Or putting it another way, the vast majority of people simply cannot play golf without some degree of wager.

When betting for money, the amount is only limited by how much one deems to put at risk. When betting for other stakes, the sought after goal can be anything one can imagine. We all heard of country clubs where members bet hot and heavy.  At these clubs,, money changes hand so fast a practised bank teller would have trouble keeping pace. It is casino on the greens and the action can be so hot and heavy that even caddies may have a side wager or two. For most of us, however, it is a simple $2 or $5 bet on each nine, maybe $10 or for a meal after the match, or a simple beverage at the clubhouse before heading home that is up for grabs.

The following is a sampling of several types of gambling games played on the golf courses. The action can be a team bet or a wager between two individuals. Sometimes it is something no more complicated than comparing scorecards in the clubhouse after a round. But, whatever the bet or game it stands to be fun. 

LOW BALL & TOTAL

This is a four player bet: The best ball between the two teams wins one point and the low total of the partners wins another. For example: On the first hole player A had a par-4 and  his partner (B)  triple-bogey 7, while you and your team mate each record a 5.  Player A’s par would win one point and your team total of 10 would best their 11 strokes to secure a point for your team..

Bets can be paid on number of points won for the 18 holes, or like Nassau, the team with the most points at the end of each nine wins a set bet and the team with the most points after 18 holes wins another bet. If the match is based on the handicaps then the equalizing strokes would be given on the appropriate holes and taken into account when those holes are played. The given strokes apply to both low ball and total.

STRAIGHT NASSAU

This game is a three bet wager – front nine, the back nine and the total 18 holes. It is a very common type of wager. A $5 Nassau would be three bets of $5 each. Win the front by one hole you have $5 in your pocket. Lose the back nine by two holes and you lose $5 and the 18-hole total by one hole, thus loosing another $5 and you are down $5 for the day.

The ‘Press’ complicates this simple game. Some say it is insurance taken to protect a person from loosing too much.  Most, however, will come to know the press as an to get back money they have already lost.

The press is actually a new bet that is put into play when certain, predetermined agreed upon points are reached. The person or team that is losing has the option to activate the press bet. The press is generally for the same amount as the original bet, but it can be for any agreed amount.

For example: If a press bet is agreed upon on the 15^th hole for the last three holes, it would mean that the last three holes are being played for an additional $5.

The most common press is the two-down option. When a team or individual are two down during a match they have the option to invoke the press bet. An automatic two-down press means that every time someone is down two holes a press bet is automatically in play – in addition to all other bets. Good players like two-down automatic press games. They know weaker players have a greater chance of fading under pressure. With automatic presses the pressure builds and by winning the last few holes, the better player will recoup those earlier loses.

If one takes the Straight Nassau and really looks at the mired of press bet options available, the amount of money at stake over a round can be astronomical. Remember those country clubs (particularly in Asia) where substantial sums of money are bet? Their game is the Straight Nassau with numerous automatic press bets that can bury unsuspecting, or novice betting golfer.

SKINS

This is the most common bet people play and care must be taken so that you don’t get skinned.

Skins are played within a foursome and the bets are made hole-by-hole. You can vary the amount of money bet on each hole. The lowest score for the hole wins.

If two players tie for the low score then you play ‘Two-tie-all tie’ – which means the bet is carried over to the next hole. If the bet was $10 on the first hole and two people tied for the low score, the next hole is worth $20. The bet is carried over until there is a winner (who takes all) and then you start again at $10 for the next hole.

TEN CENTS-A-YARD

Basically, you play the game for ten cent a yard. If the hole is 300 yard long, the bet is $30. Higher or lower stakes per yard can be established. If you play this game for ten cent a yard, you can lose $550 if the course is 5,500 yards. The bets are made hole-by-hole like in Skins. Best score wins the hole. The two-tie-all tie rule is also in effect. As you win more on long holes, it is important to play well on the par 5s and long hitters have a slight advantage in this game.

BACCARAT

Like the casino game, Baccarat is for high rollers with nerve of steel. The bet and the number of allowed ‘ups’ (an increase of the bet) are established before the game begins. To start off, the lowest handicapper is often selected to be the banker and he is the last to tee-off.  Three players play against the banker on each hole.

Let’s say the amount of bet is established at $10 per bet with maximum of five ups, or a limit of $50 per bet. Player A tees off and while the ball is in flight - before it touches the ground, he has the option of shouting to increase the bet. If he calls for the limit of five ups, he is playing $50 against the banker. Player B and C have the same options as player A when they play. In the event of a bad drive, players normally stay quiet.

The banker teeing off last has the advantage of vewing the earlier drives and depending on his drive, also has the option of increasing the bet before his ball touches the fairway.  He has the right to shout and double or even triple, on top of the other three golfers’ bet (and it is mandatory). Thus $10 bets becomes $50 and can advance to $100 bets very quickly.

In a situation when the banker birdies a hole, all losers shall pay him double the doubled amount of the bets. The same goes for the player who birdies the hole, as the banker would be required to pay him double the stakes. The winner of each hole becomes the banker on the next hole.

This procedure will continue to the next hole with the lowest score as the banker until all the 18^th  hole is completed. By the time the better player reach the 18^th hole, the amount of money at stake can be astronomical. Care to play?

3-1-1 (MATCH - BUY - INSURANCE)

This game consists of three bets on each nine holes. The amount can be as small as  $3, $1, $1 or for greater amounts as $60, $20,$20 but the match bet must be three times higher than the other two. Handicap strokes are given based on the course Index.

In a round of 9-hole play, if  player A lost the first five holes, he would have lost the match 5 & 4 to Player B, but he could still count on the Buy a bet to be decided on the four remaining holes. In other words, If Player A wins the next four holes, or wins more holes than Player B on the last four holes, then A wins the Buy and loses only two holes. Likewise, if B wins the next four holes or more holes than A, he wins the Buy and has won 4 bets.

If the four holes are squared by the parties, there is no winner of the buy bet and Player B wins only the Match bet.

The Insurance bet comes into play when a player is 4-down after the 5^th with four holes to go.. Similarly, if player A is 1-down after the 8^th hole with one hole to go, the Insurance bet comes into play. The object here is to win the 9^th hole, and thus square the match and win the Insurance bet. Hence, Player A goes from loosing three bets to loosing two bets (or some called it loosing three balls to loosing two balls).

Here is what happens in the more complicated and interesting situation where the Match, Insurance and Buy all come into play:

Let’s say Player A is 2-down after the 7^th hole with two more holes to go, the Insurance bet will be played based on the best of the last two holes. Assuming Player B wins the 8^th hole, then the Buy bet will come in and be decided on the final 9^th hole, as Player A has lost the match 3 & 1. Under this situation, the Insurance will be decided under the best of the 8^th and 9^th holes played whereas the Buy will be decided only on the 9^th hole. If Player B wins the 9^th hole as well, then he would have won the Match, the Insurance (from the 8^th and 9^th holes) and the Buy. Therefore ,Player B wins 5 bets.

However, if Player A wins the 9^th hole, then the Insurance is squared because Player B won the 8^th and A won the 9^th hole. As for the Buy, Player A wins 1 bet because he won the 9^th hole. Therefore, Player B wins only 2 bets (3 from the Match win, squared the Insurance and lost one on the Buy).

SADDAM  HUSSEIN

As the name implies, this bet is on one man against the United Nations - meaning three players will play against a banker on each hole. The bet is established before the game starts. Play may be based on scratch or handicap. Best score wins the hole and the net winner of the hole shall be the next Saddam Hussain. In some cases, depending upon all who vote, the best player is chosen to be Saddam throughout the game.

So, the next time you step to the tee and someone asks you, “What are we playing for?” remember this article and suggest a new game before settling on the stakes of the wager. Anyone game for a little 1-1-2 or Multi Frame?

Good Luck.