Page type: Glossary / definition
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Meaning
Rabbit is a casual golf side bet in which a player captures and holds a ‘rabbit’ by winning a hole outright. The player holding it after the ninth or 18th hole receives the agreed stake. Ties and the way possession changes depend on the version agreed before play.
How it matters in match play
Rabbit can run alongside a match, but it does not change the official Match Result or create a separate match-play format. Players commonly award the rabbit for the lowest score on a hole, or the lowest net score when handicaps have been agreed. In the common set-free version, a new outright winner releases the rabbit before it can be captured again.
Table
| Quick reference | Detail |
|---|---|
| Term | Rabbit |
| Category | betting |
| Applicable rule | No dedicated official rule established |
| Related concepts | Hole Score, Side Bet, Stake, Payout, Skins |
Worked example
Illustrative house example: Alex pays a $5 stake and wins Hole 1 outright, so Alex holds the Rabbit; Hole 2 is tied and Alex keeps it; Ben wins Hole 3 outright, releasing it; Chris wins Hole 4 and captures it, then receives the agreed front-nine payout if still holding it after Hole 9.
Sources: www.pga.com , www.golfdigest.com , www.golfmonthly.com
Common questions
How do you win Rabbit in golf?
Usually, the first player to record the lowest score on a hole outright captures the Rabbit. A tie does not capture it. The group should agree whether the Rabbit is released before another player can capture it, or whether possession transfers immediately.
When is Rabbit paid out?
The usual settlement points are the end of the front nine and the end of the round. The player holding the Rabbit at Hole 9 or Hole 18 receives the pre-agreed stake. If it is free at a settlement point, the group’s agreed variation decides what happens.
Is Rabbit an official Rules of Golf format?
No official Rules of Golf format is specified here. Rabbit is a casual side bet, and published descriptions identify multiple variations. Set the scoring basis, tie treatment, release or immediate-transfer rule, settlement points and stake before teeing off.
Can Rabbit use handicaps?
Yes, a group can agree to use net scores, but the handicap calculation and any allowance must be settled before play rather than assumed from the Rabbit name. The game sources describe low net scoring as one possible approach, not a universal handicap rule.
How many golfers can play Rabbit?
Published descriptions commonly give two to four players, while another account focuses on three- or four-player groups. That difference reflects house practice rather than a single governing standard, so the group should choose a workable size and write down its version.
Is Rabbit the same as Skins?
No. Both are casual side bets settled from hole results, but Rabbit tracks possession of one named object and commonly pays at the ninth and 18th holes. Skins normally assign value to holes and carry a tied hole’s value forward, subject to house rules.