Page type: Glossary / definition
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Meaning
A side bet is an optional wager added to the main golf game. It is usually based on a separate event, such as winning a hole, making a birdie or finishing a nine, and its amount and settlement are agreed by the players.
How it matters in match play
In match play, a side bet runs alongside the official hole-by-hole match result rather than changing who wins the match. Players should agree before starting whether it covers individual holes, a nine or another event, and how ties, carryovers and payouts work. The Rules of Golf govern the match itself; this informal wager is a house arrangement.
Table
| Quick reference | Detail |
|---|---|
| Term | Side Bet |
| Category | betting |
| Applicable rule | No dedicated official rule established |
| Related concepts | Match Play, Per-Hole Bet, Stake, Pot, Payout |
Worked example
Illustrative example: Alex and Ben agree on a $2 Side Bet for each hole: Alex wins the side bet on the first hole, so Ben owes Alex $2; the match result remains a separate record.
Sources: www.scga.org , www.randa.org , www.usga.org
Common questions
Is a Side Bet part of the official golf score?
No. A Side Bet is an optional private arrangement and does not alter the official strokes, hole result or match result. Keep its settlement separate from the scorecard.
What should players agree before starting a Side Bet?
Agree the event being measured, stake, participants, tie treatment, carryovers and payment method before the first tee shot. Clear house terms prevent disputes when a hole is halved or a result is unclear.
Can a Side Bet use handicap strokes?
It can if the players agree, but there is no universal Side Bet allowance. State whether the bet uses gross or net results and which handicap method applies; do not assume the match-play allowance automatically transfers to an informal side game.