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How to play Nassau.

A Nassau is three matches in one round: the front nine, the back nine and the full 18. Lose the front and there are still two matches to play for, which keeps everyone in it to the last hole.

Players
2 to 4 players, in two sides
Scored in
Matches
Good for
Two sides who want three matches in one round.

The rules

  1. Two sides play for holes, as in Best Ball: your side's best score against theirs.
  2. Three matches run at once: the front nine, the back nine and the whole 18.
  3. Each match is worth a point, or half a point each if it is halved.
  4. A match won early stops there, but its holes still count for the 18-hole match.

An example hole

Team A wins the front nine 2 UP and Team B wins the back nine 1 UP. Over all 18 Team A is still 1 UP. Team A wins 2 points to 1.

Who wins

Most points wins. Needs all 18 holes.

Handicaps

Off the low man by default, as in any match.

Ways to set it up in YipLinks

  • Handicap strokes: Off the low man or Full handicaps. Off the low man is usual for a match: the lowest handicap plays off 0.

More games for your group

Stroke Play

Every shot counts. Lowest total wins.

1 to 4 players. Read the rules

Skins

Every hole is worth a skin. Win a hole outright to take it.

2 to 4 players. Read the rules

Wolf

Take turns as the Wolf: pick a partner each hole, or go it alone.

3 or 4 players. Read the rules

Best Ball

Two sides, match play. Your side counts its best score on each hole.

2 to 4 players, in two sides. Read the rules

Stableford

Points for every hole against par. Most points wins.

2 to 4 players. Read the rules

Vegas

Two teams of two. Your two scores make one number: a 4 and a 5 is 45. Low number wins the difference.

4 players, in two teams of two. Read the rules

Sixes

Three six-hole matches, a new partner for each. A point for each match you win.

4 players. Read the rules

Nines

Three players share 9 points a hole: 5 for the best score, 3 for the next, 1 for the last.

3 players. Read the rules

Low Ball, Low Total

Two teams of two, two points a hole: one for the best score, one for the lower team total.

4 players, in two teams of two. Read the rules

Quota

Points for every hole against a target set by your handicap. Beat your quota by the most to win.

2 to 4 players. Read the rules

Bingo Bango Bongo

Three points a hole: first on the green, closest once all are on, first in the hole.

2 to 4 players. Read the rules