Page type: Glossary / definition
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Meaning
Snake is a casual golf side bet built around three-putts. The first player to three-putt takes the snake, and it passes to the next player who three-putts. The player holding it after the agreed round or period usually pays the pot or an agreed forfeit.
How it matters in match play
Snake is separate from the match result: players can track it while playing Match Play, but it does not decide who wins a hole. Before starting, agree whether a Putt Out is required, whether a Gimme is allowed, the amount added for each three-putt, and whether the final holder pays the Pot to the other players. These are house rules, not a Rules of Golf format.
Table
| Quick reference | Detail |
|---|---|
| Term | Snake |
| Category | betting |
| Applicable rule | No dedicated official rule established |
| Related concepts | Putt Out, Gimme, Side Bet, Pot, Payout |
Worked example
Alex three-putts first and starts a $2 pot; Ben three-putts next, making $4 in total and taking the Snake; Chris is the last player to three-putt, making the pot $6, so Chris pays $3 each to Alex and Ben.
Sources: www.golfdigest.com , www.golfmonthly.com , www.randa.org
Common questions
How do you play Snake in golf?
Agree the stake and what counts as a three-putt. The first three-putter takes the Snake, it moves to each later three-putter, and the player holding it at the end pays the agreed pot or forfeit.
What counts as a three-putt in Snake?
The common convention counts three putts made on the putting green. Shots played with a putter from off the green are commonly excluded, but the group should agree its definition before teeing off.
Does Snake use handicaps?
Not inherently. Snake is a putting side bet rather than a WHS competition format, so handicap strokes do not normally alter its three-putt trigger or settlement unless the group explicitly creates a house rule.
Who pays in Snake?
Usually the player holding the Snake after the final agreed hole pays the accumulated pot, divided among the other players. A group may instead agree a fixed forfeit or a non-cash settlement before play.
Can Snake be played during Match Play?
Yes. It can run alongside Match Play as a separate side bet, while the match itself continues to be settled by its agreed hole results. Record the Snake independently so the two outcomes are not confused.
Can the Snake stake double after each three-putt?
Yes, doubling is a reported variation, but it can grow quickly. Agree the starting amount, the doubling sequence and the maximum, if any, before the round; do not treat one variation as universal.