Page type: Glossary / definition
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Meaning
A Buyout is an informal side-bet agreement in which a player pays an agreed amount to settle or end their exposure early. The group must agree the amount, timing and recipient; Buyout is not a standard Rules of Golf format.
How it matters in match play
Buyout does not alter the official match result. A group might agree that a player who is ahead, behind or no longer wants to continue can settle the side bet for a specified amount, but that is a private money arrangement. Keep it separate from the match score, and record any concession or match result under the applicable competition terms.
Table
| Quick reference | Detail |
|---|---|
| Term | Buyout |
| Category | betting |
| Applicable rule | No dedicated official rule established |
| Related concepts | Settlement, Payout, Stake, Pot, Match Result |
Worked example
Alex and Ben agree on a $20 Buyout for an 18-hole side bet; after Alex leads 4 up with 5 holes left, Ben accepts $12 to settle early, while the match result is still recorded separately under their agreed match terms.
Sources: www.golfcompendium.com , www.randa.org , forums.golfwrx.com
Common questions
Is Buyout an official golf format?
No. Buyout is an informal side-bet label, not a format defined by the Rules of Golf. Agree the terms before play and keep the money settlement separate from the official match result.
When can a player take a Buyout?
Only when the players have agreed that option and its amount. Set out whether it can happen before the round, during a match or after a particular hole; there is no universal timing or formula.
Does a Buyout concede the match?
Not automatically. A Buyout can settle a private wager while play continues, or the parties may separately agree to end their match. Treat a match concession and a money settlement as different decisions.
How should a Buyout be recorded?
Write down the agreed stake, the Buyout amount, who paid whom and whether play continued. Record the golf result independently, so the settlement cannot be mistaken for the score or match result.
Is there a standard Buyout amount?
No. Buyout amounts vary by the group’s house rules and the original stake. A dollar figure is only an illustrative example unless the players agree it before settling.
Can the Rules of Golf force a Buyout?
No. The Rules govern competition and match-play outcomes, not private side-bet payouts. A player should not describe a Buyout as a Rules-based concession or official settlement.