Page type: Glossary / definition
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Meaning
An Automatic Press is a pre-agreed side bet that starts without a player declaring it when a specified match condition is met. In a common Nassau arrangement, the trigger is falling two holes behind in an active bet, and the new bet runs alongside the original.
How it matters in match play
Automatic Press is a casual betting convention, not a separate form of match play. The group agrees the trigger, stake, coverage and any cap before teeing off; when the trigger occurs, the additional bet opens automatically. Each press should be tracked independently from the underlying Nassau or other hole-by-hole match.
Table
| Quick reference | Detail |
|---|---|
| Term | Automatic Press |
| Category | betting |
| Applicable rule | No dedicated official rule established |
| Related concepts | Nassau, Press, Double Press, Re-Press, Side Bet |
Worked example
In a $5 Nassau, Alex goes 2 down to Ben after hole 2, so a $5 Automatic Press begins from hole 3; if Alex then goes 2 down in that press, a second $5 press begins only if that cascading house rule was agreed.
Sources: www.golfdigest.com , www.liveabout.com , www.randa.org
Common questions
Is an Automatic Press an official Rules of Golf format?
No. It is a casual side-bet arrangement. The Rules of Golf govern how the match is played and scored, but do not prescribe press triggers, stakes or settlement terms.
What usually triggers an Automatic Press?
A common house rule starts one when a player or side falls two holes behind in an active bet. Groups can choose another trigger, so write the condition down before the round.
Can players decline an Automatic Press?
Not if the group agreed that the press is automatic: the new bet starts when the stated condition occurs. A player can decline only if the pre-round house rules allow that option.
Does every press use the same stake and holes?
No. Many groups use the original stake and the remaining holes in the relevant bet, but the amount, starting point, end point and any cap are house-rule choices that must be agreed first.
Can an Automatic Press create another press?
It can if the group has agreed to cascading presses. The trigger must be assessed within the individual active bet, not simply copied from the overall match score.
How should an Automatic Press be recorded?
Track the original bet and every press as separate lines, noting each bet's start hole, trigger, stake and result. This avoids treating a win in one bet as automatically settling another.