Page type: Format comparison (two named formats)
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When each fits
Choose Nassau when two players or sides want three linked match-play contests—front nine, back nine and overall—with separate agreed stakes. Choose round robin when at least three players or sides should meet every opponent in a scheduled series using published points and tie-breaks.
Nassau in brief
Three linked matches: front nine, back nine and the overall 18-hole result.
round robin in brief
A schedule where each player or side meets the others in separate head-to-head matches.
Table
| Comparison | Nassau | round robin |
|---|---|---|
| One line | Three linked matches: front nine, back nine and the overall 18-hole result. | A schedule where each player or side meets the others in separate head-to-head matches. |
| Players | Minimum 2 in a head-to-head match; 4 is ideal for two sides, with 1v1 or 2v2 agreed in advance. | Minimum 3 competitors or sides for a meaningful schedule; ideal 4-8, with each participant playing the others in turn. This is an individual field or a field of sides, not one group playing every hole together. |
| Scoring unit | Holes for each match segment; the front nine, back nine and overall 18-hole contests are tracked separately. | Each match is scored hole by hole as match play; the overall table uses agreed match points, wins, halves or another competition countback. |
| Handicap method | For 1v1 match play, use the recommended 100% individual match-play allowance and give the full Playing Handicap difference from the lower player. For 2v2 better-ball/four-ball sides, the recommended allowance is 90% for four-ball; apply strokes within each side under the Terms of the Competition. Allowances are applied to unrounded Course Handicap when calculating Playing Handicap, not directly to Handicap Index. | For individual handicap match play, use the competition's stated allowance; WHS Appendix C recommends 100% of the unrounded Course Handicap for individual match play. After Playing Handicaps are calculated, the lowest plays off zero and each opponent receives the difference. A round robin involving teams or another form must not automatically inherit this allowance: the Committee should state the allowance and stroke-index method in the Terms of Competition. |
| Money settles how | Agree one stake for each of the three contests before teeing off. Settle the front-nine, back-nine and overall bets separately at the agreed amount; presses or unequal values are optional house terms, not automatic Nassau rules. | Only if stakes are agreed: settle after the round-robin table, using the announced value for each match point, win or final placing. The Rules of Golf do not set a round-robin payout or betting convention. |
| Pace | Same to slightly slower than ordinary stroke play: playing the holes does not require extra shots, but recording three concurrent results and any agreed presses adds administration. | Slower overall than one stroke-play round for the same field is the usual tendency, because a round robin requires multiple head-to-head matches and scheduling; this is an editorial planning judgement, not a measured statistic. |
| Best for | Two golfers or a foursome who want match-play pressure with three chances to win, while keeping an 18-hole result in play after a poor nine. | Club leagues, social groups and small competitions that want everyone to meet several opponents rather than be eliminated after one loss. |
| Weakness | Unagreed press rules and unclear handicap treatment can make the settlement confusing, especially when a 2v2 side is mixed with individual scoring. | It needs more match slots than a knockout and can create tie-break disputes or uneven schedules when players withdraw, so the Committee must publish the draw, points and tie procedure. |
Worked example
Illustrative inputs and selected terms, not historical results. For an agreed $2 singles Nassau with no presses, Alex wins the front nine, ties the back nine and wins the overall match: net +$4 for Alex and −$4 for Ben. Four entrants Alex, Ben, Chris and Dana in an all-play-all schedule need 6 pairings. That schedule is different from the rotating six-hole partner game sometimes given the same name.
Rule reference: Rules of Golf Rule 3.2; WHS Rules of Handicapping Appendix C; Committee Procedures, Section 5A(3)-(4)
Sources: www.golfdigest.com , www.golf.org.au , www.randa.org , www.usga.org , www.randa.org
Common questions
How do Nassau and round robin score differently?
For Nassau: Holes for each match segment; the front nine, back nine and overall 18-hole contests are tracked separately. For round robin: Each match is scored hole by hole as match play; the overall table uses agreed match points, wins, halves or another competition countback.
How do handicaps apply in Nassau vs round robin?
Nassau: For 1v1 match play, use the recommended 100% individual match-play allowance and give the full Playing Handicap difference from the lower player. For 2v2 better-ball/four-ball sides, the recommended allowance is 90% for four-ball; apply strokes within each side under the Terms of the Competition. Allowances are applied to unrounded Course Handicap when calculating Playing Handicap, not directly to Handicap Index. round robin: For individual handicap match play, use the competition's stated allowance; WHS Appendix C recommends 100% of the unrounded Course Handicap for individual match play. After Playing Handicaps are calculated, the lowest plays off zero and each opponent receives the difference. A round robin involving teams or another form must not automatically inherit this allowance: the Committee should state the allowance and stroke-index method in the Terms of Competition.
When should I choose Nassau instead of round robin?
Choose Nassau when two players or sides want three linked match-play contests—front nine, back nine and overall—with separate agreed stakes. Choose round robin when at least three players or sides should meet every opponent in a scheduled series using published points and tie-breaks.