Page type: Glossary / definition
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Meaning
A carryover is money or points that are not settled on one hole, usually because the relevant result is tied, and are added to the stake or pot on a later hole. The players must agree in advance how ties, the amount carried, and the eventual winner will be handled.
How it matters in match play
Carryover is a side-bet convention, not part of the official match result. The match itself still records each hole as won, lost or tied under the Rules of Golf. A group might carry a tied-hole side bet to the next hole, but it should record that pot separately and agree whether a concession or an extra hole settles it.
Table
| Quick reference | Detail |
|---|---|
| Term | Carryover |
| Category | betting |
| Applicable rule | No dedicated official rule established |
| Related concepts | Push, Pot, Side Bet, Stake |
Worked example
Alex, Ben, Chris and Dana agree on a $2-per-player hole bet. A tied first hole creates an $8 carryover; Alex wins the next hole, so the house rule pays Alex the $8 carried pot plus the new $8 stake, or $16 in total.
Sources: www.golfcompendium.com , www.randa.org , www.usga.org
Common questions
Is a carryover an official golf rule?
No. Carryover is a casual betting convention, not a format or scoring result defined by the Rules of Golf. Agree the house rule before play and keep it separate from the official match score.
What causes a carryover in a golf side bet?
Most commonly, the result needed to win a hole-based bet is tied. Some groups carry the whole stake or pot to the next hole; others cancel the bet on that hole. Either approach is acceptable only as an agreed house rule.
Who gets a carryover pot when the next hole is won?
The player, side or team identified by the agreed side-bet rule gets it. Write down whether the winner receives only the carried amount or the carried amount plus the new hole's stake, because both conventions are possible.
Does a carryover change who is up in match play?
No. A carryover changes only the separately agreed side-bet settlement. The match lead is still based on holes won, lost or tied, not on the money or points in that side pot.
Can a carryover continue into extra holes?
Only if the players or competition terms say so. Decide before the round whether the pot ends after the scheduled holes, follows an extended match, or is settled another way; this is not prescribed by the Rules of Golf.
Is a carryover the same as a push?
Not necessarily. A push commonly means a tied bet is returned or left unsettled, while a carryover moves the value to a later hole. Groups may use the words differently, so define them before starting.