Page type: Glossary / definition
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Meaning
In a casual golf wager, a push is a tied bet or segment for which neither side wins. The stake is normally returned or left unsettled, but players may agree to carry it over to a later segment. It is house-rule betting language, not a Rules of Golf scoring term.
How it matters in match play
Push is not the official Rules of Golf name for a tied match-play result. Under Rule 3.2, a hole can be tied; if the match is tied after the final hole and the Terms of the Competition require a winner, it is extended one hole at a time. In a casual Nassau, players may call a tied front-nine, back-nine or overall wager a push and settle it according to their prior agreement.
Table
| Quick reference | Detail |
|---|---|
| Term | Push |
| Category | betting |
| Applicable rule | No dedicated official rule established |
| Related concepts | Nassau, Carryover, Side Bet, Settlement, Match Play |
Worked example
Alex and Ben agree to a $5 Nassau. Their front nine is tied, so that $5 bet is a push and neither pays; Ben wins the back nine for $5, while Alex wins the overall 18-hole bet for $5, producing a net $0 result for each player before any other bets.
Sources: www.nationalclubgolfer.com , www.randa.org
Common questions
Does a push mean someone wins the golf bet?
No. A push means the relevant wager or segment was tied, so neither side wins it. The stake is usually returned or no money changes hands, unless the group agreed to a different settlement.
Is a push an official match-play result under the Rules of Golf?
No. The Rules describe a tied hole and a tied match, rather than a push. Rule 3.2 covers tied holes and says a tied match may be extended one hole at a time when the competition requires a winner.
Can a pushed Nassau bet carry over?
Yes, if the players agree before or during the round. A published Nassau explanation describes two choices for a tied segment: treat it as a push with no exchange, or carry the bet to the next nine; these are casual house rules, not a universal golf rule.
Is a tied hole the same as a push?
They are related but not identical. A tied hole is a match-play scoring outcome under Rule 3.2. Push is informal betting language that can describe a tied wager, such as a Nassau segment, and its payment or carryover depends on the agreed house rules.
Should a group decide the push rule before teeing off?
Yes. Agree whether a tie means no payment, a carryover, or another settlement before play. This avoids changing the wager after the result is known and keeps the casual bet separate from the Rules of Golf.
Does a push automatically create a carryover?
No. Carryover is an optional arrangement in casual betting games. A push may simply mean no money changes hands; the group must state the treatment for each wager before play.