Page type: Glossary / definition
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Meaning
A Chippie is a casual golf side bet for holing out from off the green. Before the round, the group agrees whether each chip-in earns points or dollars and whether the fringe counts as off the green. It is a house game, not a standard Rules of Golf competition format.
How it matters in match play
A Chippie can run alongside Individual Match Play, but it does not change who wins a hole or the match. Set its value and qualifying distance before play, then settle each successful chip-in separately; keep the side-bet tally apart from the Match Score. Whether every hole-out from off the green qualifies, or only a conventional chip, is a house-rule choice.
Table
| Quick reference | Detail |
|---|---|
| Term | Chippie |
| Category | betting |
| Applicable rule | No dedicated official rule established |
| Related concepts | Side Bet, Stake, Holing Out, Putt Out, Match Score |
Worked example
Alex, Ben, Chris and Dana agree that each Chippie is worth $2 and that any ball holed from off the green qualifies; Alex holes one on the 6th and Chris holes two later, so Alex receives $2 and Chris receives $4 from the agreed side bet.
Sources: www.golfcompendium.com , www.beezergolf.com , www.randa.org , www.usga.org
Common questions
Does a Chippie have an official Rules of Golf definition?
No. Chippie is a casual side-bet term. The group should agree its qualifying shot, value and settlement before play; the Rules of Golf govern the golf stroke and hole, not the private wager.
Does the ball have to be a certain distance from the hole?
Not universally. Some groups require only that the ball was off the green, including the fringe, while others set a distance limit. Write the local condition down before the first tee shot.
Does a Chippie affect the Match Score?
No. It is settled separately from the match. A player may win a Chippie and still lose the hole, or lose the Chippie side bet while winning the hole under the agreed match format.
Can a hole-out with a putter count as a Chippie?
Only if the group agrees. Some versions count any hole-out from off the green; others count only a shot the players regard as a chip. State the test in advance to avoid disputes.
Can players use points instead of money for Chippies?
Yes. The group can assign points rather than dollars, then decide whether the highest tally wins or whether each successful Chippie is paid at a fixed value. Those are house rules, not official scoring rules.
Does a handicap allowance apply to a Chippie?
Not automatically. Chippie is a side bet rather than a WHS-recognised format, so do not transplant a handicap allowance without a separate agreement and clear competition terms.