How to Play Nassau Golf Game: Official Guide

There are many ways to play the game of golf.

But, if you’re wondering how to play Nassau…

Nassau is traditionally a betting golf format that divides an 18-hole round into three separate matches: the front nine, the back nine, and the overall 18 holes. Each segment stands alone and carries equal, pre-determined value. Players may compete individually or in two-person teams, most commonly using match play scoring.

I’ve played Nassau many times with my golf buddies and it’s one of our favorite ways to play.

Nassau maintains competitive balance even if one segment becomes a blowout. A player or side may win one, two, or all three matches. Groups often incorporate handicaps and optional side bets known as presses. The structure is simple, yet the strategic implications are significant.

The sections below set forth the complete rules for playing Nassau, it’s variants and some strategies to consider.

Quick Summary / TL;DR

To play a round of Nassau, establish three equal wagers or point values before play begins: one for holes 1–9 (front nine), one for holes 10–18 (back nine), and one for the cumulative 18-hole result.

Determine whether the format will use match play or stroke play. Match play is most typically used. In match play, the side with the lower score on a hole wins that hole. The side with the most winning holes at the end of each segment wins that segment. Tied holes are halved.

If playing teams, define whether scoring will use best ball or aggregate scoring. If handicaps apply, allocate strokes according to each player’s course handicap and the hole stroke indexes.

If a team or player goes 2 down on any segment, an optional “press” may be permitted, if agreed to be an option in advance. A press creates a new wager beginning on the very next hole and applies only to the remaining holes of that segment. Effectively, creating an additional min-segment.

At the conclusion of play, settle each of the three matches, and any presses, independently.

Continue reading for the complete rules, strategies to beat your friends, and fun variations to play within your next game of Nassau.

How to Play Nassau

Below is a breakdown of how to play the Nassau golf game.

Number of players/teams required

• Two players (1 vs 1): The simplest form of Nassau.
• Four players (2 vs 2): Commonly played as best ball (only the best score per team gets recorded on each hole).
• Three players: May be played as stroke play, or as a match-play variation (for example, rotating partners or one player versus the other two).

Game Setup

Before starting play, agree to the following conditions:

1. Determine the stake value for each match (example: $5–$5–$5 or 1–1–1 point).
2. Come to an agreement on what format you will use.
   • Match play Nassau: Each hole is won, lost, or halved.
   • Stroke play Nassau: Lowest total for the front nine, back nine, and overall.
3. Decide how teams will be formed, or play as individuals.
4. Determine if you will use gross (no handicap) or net scoring (with handicaps).
5. Presses: will they be permitted or not? If permitted, when and how to initiate them (see How to Keep Score for more on Presses).
6. Determine Tie handling: carryover, split, or playoff method (defined below)?

Game Rules

Below are the official rules for playing Nassau for both match play and stroke play formats.

A. Match Play Nassau (standard method)

1. Three matches (segments) run concurrently:
   • Front Nine Match: holes 1–9 only.
   • Back Nine Match: holes 10–18 only.
   • Overall Match: all holes 1–18.
2. Hole result determination:
   • Individual Nassau: the lower score on a hole wins that hole; equal scores halve the hole.
   • Team Nassau (best ball): each side counts its best score (gross or net, as agreed); lower side score wins the hole; equal side scores halve the hole.

B. Stroke Play Nassau (common adaptation)

1. Three segment totals: each player (or side) totals strokes for holes 1–9, 10–18, and 1–18.
2. The lowest segment total wins that segment. If playing teams, define whether the team total is aggregate (sum of both players) or best-ball only (single best score per hole). This must be agreed prior to play.

How to Keep Score in Nassau Golf Game

The following examples will demonstrate how to keep score when playing Nassau.

A. Match Play scoring example (1v1, $2–$2–$2)

• After 9 holes: Player A wins the front nine match at 2 up. Player A earns $2 for the front nine.
• After 18 holes: Player B wins the back nine match at 1 up. Player B earns $2 for the back nine.
• Overall match: Suppose the overall match finishes all square. The overall stake is handled by the tie method chosen (split, carry, or playoff – see more under Tie Breakers).

B. Team best-ball scoring example (2v2, gross)

• On hole 3: Team 1 scores 4 and 6; Team 2 scores 5 and 5.
• Best ball: Team 1’s best = 4; Team 2’s best = 5 → Team 1 wins hole 3.

Press (optional side bet)

A “press” is an additional wager that can be declared during play and runs concurrently with the original match for the remaining holes of a segment (front, back, or overall). Meaning, a team or player can declare a press which adds another sub-segment from that point through the remaining current segment.

So, if a press is declared after hole four (because a team or player is down by 2 holes), then holes five through nine are treated as a new all-square segment. The original one through nine segment continues as usual. This gives the one who declares the press an opportunity to win back money or points within that particular segment.

If presses are permitted, apply these conditions:

1. Mutual agreement: A press may only be used if both sides have agreed to allow presses before play, and the opposing side must accept the press when offered unless the group’s conditions allow refusal.
2. When a press may be offered: A common standard is when a side is down by 2 holes or more in a given match segment. Your group is allowed to set a different trigger.
3. Press stake: Typically equal to the segment stake (example: in $5–$5–$5, a press is $5). This is also yours to decide.

How to Determine Who Wins in Nassau

Nassau produces three winners (front, back, overall). The “winner of Nassau” is the side that wins the most segments.

• Pay/award each segment independently.
• If presses are used, settle each press independently.

How to Handle Tie Breakers

Before play, adopt exactly one of the following tie breaking methods for each segment:

1. Split ties (recommended for simplicity): If a segment is tied, each side receives half the stake for that segment (or the segment is recorded as halved for points).
2. Carryover (common in casual play): If the front-nine match is tied, carry that stake into the back-nine stake. If the back-nine match is tied, carry into the overall. If the overall is tied, the carryover remains unresolved unless a playoff method is defined.
3. Playoff holes (recommended for a decisive result): If a segment is tied, play sudden-death playoff holes as agreed (commonly starting at hole 1 or the nearest hole to the clubhouse). For team play, continue the same scoring method (best ball, aggregate, etc.).
4. Predetermined tiebreak rule (stroke-play Nassau): Use a method such as lowest score on the most difficult handicap hole(s) of that segment, or the last 6, 3, or 1 holes within the segment, provided it is declared before play.

Tips and Strategies for Nassau

When to play aggressive

• Play aggressively when a segment is at risk of being decided within the next 1–3 holes. In match play, a single hole has high leverage; strategic aggression (driver, going for par-5s in two, taking on tucked pins) is most justified when the downside affects only one hole but the upside flips the segment’s momentum.
• Consider controlled aggression when trailing and presses are permitted, but only if the group has clearly defined press conditions. A press can increase volatility; pairing a press with reckless decisions often multiplies losses rather than creating a realistic recovery.

When to play safe

• When leading a segment, prioritize high-percentage shots that protect against doubles (center-green targets, conservative lines off the tee, and avoiding short-side misses). In best-ball team Nassau, “safe” play is especially valuable when a partner is in position to make a low score; the correct role is often to secure a net par while the partner attacks.

Common mistakes

• Failing to define tie rules and press rules before teeing off. Disputes usually start here.
• Applying handicaps inconsistently (especially in team play).
• Confusing segment status: front and overall can point in different directions; track both precisely on every hole.

Variations of Nassau Golf Game

There are a variety of ways you can switch it up when playing Nassau. Below are a handful that you should definitely consider to kick the fun up a notch!

• Play with different stakes: “1–1–1,” “2–2–2,” “5–5–5,” or any agreed unit.
• Best-ball vs. aggregate: In 2v2, either count best-ball (the best score per side per hole) or aggregate (sum of both players’ scores per hole). Aggregate increases the value of consistent play and reduces “free-rolling” on a partner’s birdie.
• Net Nassau: Apply handicaps to create net hole scores in match play or net totals in stroke play.
• Press structures:
  • Automatic press: a new press starts automatically when a side goes 2 down in a segment (only if agreed).
  • One-press limit: only one press per segment to cap risk.
  • No-press Nassau: eliminates complexity and speeds up play.
• “Best Nines” terminology: This is simply a note that some groups refer to Nassau as “Best Nines,” emphasizing the front/back/total structure.

FAQs about Nassau

Does Nassau work with handicaps?
Yes. Nassau is commonly played with handicaps to balance competition, but the handicap method must be declared before play.

Is Nassau for beginners?
Yes, provided the conditions are kept simple: match play (holes won/halved), no presses, clear tie rule (split ties), and modest stakes or points. Nassau can help beginners stay engaged because the front nine, back nine, and overall each remain winnable even after a poor stretch.

Is Nassau match play only?
No. Nassau is most common in match play, but stroke-play versions are widely used, especially for groups who prefer totals over hole-by-hole results.

What is a “press” in Nassau?
A press is an additional side bet that starts during a segment and applies only to the remaining holes of that segment (or the remaining holes overall, if pressing the full 18), under terms agreed before play.

Final Thoughts on Nassau

Here at Golf Games Hub, we enjoy Nassau because it keeps things competitive throughout the entire round. Its three-match structure prevents early deficits from eliminating meaningful competition and rewards consistent performance across multiple segments.

Nassau encourages strategic decision-making, particularly when players consider presses, risk tolerance, and momentum within each nine.

The format adapts easily to individual or team play and accommodates handicaps without complication. Few games maintain engagement from the opening tee shot through the final putt.

When played properly, Nassau delivers structure, fairness, and competitive intensity in equal measure.

Other Fun Golf Game Formats to Consider Besides Nassau

We know golf games here at Golf Games Hub. If you enjoy playing Nassau, you’re going to absolutely love playing these other golf game formats.

Bingo Bango Bongo turns every single hole into a three-part battle, rewarding precision, timing, and clutch putting in ways traditional stroke play can’t. Instead of only caring about total score, players compete for points throughout the hole — which means even higher-handicap golfers stay in the action from tee to cup. It’s fast, competitive, and surprisingly strategic.

Wolf is a high-pressure, rotating golf game where every hole forces one player to make a bold decision that can swing the entire round. It blends strategy, timing, and calculated risk in a way that keeps all four players fully engaged from the first tee to the final putt.

Stableford flips traditional golf scoring on its head and rewards bold, aggressive play instead of punishing bad holes. Because points are earned relative to performance on each hole, players can recover quickly and take calculated risks without fear of one disaster ruining the entire round. It’s competitive, pace-friendly, and widely used in tournaments around the world.