Page type: Glossary / definition
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Meaning
In golf betting, a press is a new side bet opened while an existing match is still running, usually by the player or team that is two holes behind. It normally uses the same stake and covers the remaining holes agreed by the group, while the original bet continues.
How it matters in match play
A press fits match-play betting because the players compare holes won, lost or tied rather than simply adding strokes. In a common Nassau arrangement, the trailing side starts a fresh match from the next hole to the end of that nine; the original match is unaffected. Press timing, acceptance, automatic triggers and whether re-presses are allowed are house rules, not Rules of Golf requirements.
Table
| Quick reference | Detail |
|---|---|
| Term | Press |
| Category | betting |
| Applicable rule | No dedicated official rule established |
| Related concepts | Nassau, Automatic Press, Double Press, Re-Press, Side Bet |
Worked example
Alex and Ben agree to a $5 Nassau; when Alex is 2 down after hole 6, Alex presses, creating a separate $5 bet on holes 7–9 while the original front-nine bet continues, so both bets are settled independently.
Sources: www.golfdigest.com , whygolf.com , holdernessandbourne.com , www.randa.org
Common questions
Is a press the same as doubling the original golf bet?
No. A press adds a separate bet at the agreed stake; it does not change or cancel the original bet. Both bets continue and are settled separately.
When is a press usually called in a Nassau?
The common convention is when a player or team is two holes down, but groups may allow a press whenever a side is behind or make it automatic. Agree the trigger before teeing off.
Does a press carry from the front nine to the back nine?
Usually not. A press normally runs from the next hole to the end of the current nine, so a front-nine press ends at hole 9 and a new back-nine bet starts under the agreed Nassau rules.
Is a press governed by the Rules of Golf?
No specific Rule of Golf creates or standardises a press. It is a casual side-bet convention, so the players must agree its stake, trigger, duration and settlement.
Can a press be pressed again?
Some groups permit a re-press when the new press reaches its trigger, often two down. Others limit presses or disallow them, so this is a house-rule choice rather than a universal rule.
Who pays when a press finishes all square?
The press is normally halved or pushed, so neither side wins that separate bet. Confirm whether your group uses a push, carryover or another settlement convention before play.