Golf Trip Side Bets: Skins, Nassau, and Clear Stakes

Skins: decide whether ties carry

In a skins game, the sole low score on a hole wins its skin. Choose gross or net scoring. With carryovers, a tie for low sends the skin to the next hole. If the first two holes tie, the third has three skins available. A player who then wins outright collects all three.

A fixed pot limits the cost to everyone who joins. Suppose twelve golfers each put in $10, creating $120. If twelve skins are awarded during the round, each is worth $10. Someone winning three collects $30. That is one possible payout arrangement; it isn't the same as everyone owing $10 to the winner of every skin.

Decide what happens if no skins are awarded or a carry remains after eighteen. Under the fixed-pot example, you could divide the pot among the skins actually awarded and refund it if none are awarded. Other groups use a playoff or a different final-hole rule. Say which version you're playing.

Skins needs complete scores for everyone eligible on a hole. If a player picks up in his best-ball match because his partner's score will count, you still need to know how that affects the separate skins game.

Nassau: three results and three agreed stakes

A traditional Nassau has separate bets on the front nine, back nine, and full round. For a head-to-head match at $5 per bet, with ties pushing and no presses, winning all three means collecting $15 from the other side. Losing all three means paying $15. Specify whether that amount is per pair or per golfer.

You can lose the front, win the back, and tie the overall. In that case the two $5 payments cancel and the tied overall pays nothing under these terms. The back-nine result starts fresh on the tenth; it isn't determined by who is leading the full match.

A press creates an additional wager over an agreed remaining segment. Set who can call one, its value, when it starts, and whether further presses are allowed. Automatic presses can increase the exposure beyond the original $15. A group that wants a known maximum can simply play without them.

A team-cup bet needs a payout rule

For two teams of six, a $20-per-player buy-in creates a $240 pot. If the winning six split the whole pot, each receives $40, including his own $20 contribution. His profit is $20. Calling that a $40 win without mentioning the buy-in can cause confusion.

Agree what happens to the pot if the cup is tied. Returning the contributions is straightforward. If the trophy holder retains the cup on a tie, decide whether that also awards the money; those don't have to be the same rule.

Keep the team bet separate from any individual match stakes. Joining the cup shouldn't silently enroll someone in every private wager within it.

Use a few clearly defined extras

Nearest-to-the-pin can be a single optional prize on a designated par three. Say who is eligible, what counts as being on the green, and whether there is a score requirement. A sandie or greenie also needs a definition if money rides on it. Don't assume everyone's home group uses the same one.

A shared entry pot is easy to price in advance. Keep participation optional and publish the amount. People should be able to enjoy the trip without having to explain why they don't want another bet.

Check what the app settles

Stymie's Nassau setting tracks front, back, and overall results, but the configured stake settles on the overall result. Extra front-nine, back-nine, and press wagers need a separate agreement and record. Don't enter $5 expecting three automatic $5 payouts.

Its skins scoring tracks skins and carries; don't assume that supplies the fixed-pot payout calculation above. Use the agreed result to calculate winnings and confirm any separately recorded wager with the people involved.

Before settling up, show the stakes, results, and payments already made. Keep trip expenses visible separately. Stymie records results and balances; the group pays through its chosen payment method.