Nassau
Also called 2-2-2, 5-5-5, Best Nassau
Three match-play bets in one: front nine, back nine and overall 18, with presses for double-or-nothing.
2–4 players · best with 2, 4Betting GamesEasy to scoreMoney game
How to play →Betting Games
Hammer
Also called The Hammer, Hammers, Air Hammer, Wolf Hammer
Hole-by-hole match where either side can double the bet at any moment; accept or fold.
- Players
- 2–4 players, best with 2
- Play as
- Any format
- Scorekeeping
- Medium
- Handicaps
- Handicaps optional
- Money
- Money game
- Type
- Betting Games
How to play
Play match play by hole (1v1 or 2v2) with a base stake, e.g. $1 to $5. At any time, even during a swing, one side may call hammer, doubling the hole's stake. The opponent accepts (bet doubles) or folds, conceding the hole at its current value. After a hammer is accepted only the other side may re-hammer, and it can go back and forth. The stake resets on the next tee.
Scoring
$1 becomes $2, then $4, $8 and so on with each accepted hammer, so set a per-hole cap on the first tee. Halved holes usually carry the value to the next hole, though some groups wash them. The Spieth/Thomas version on Netflix's Full Swing auto-doubles on birdies.
Variations
- Air hammer: must be called while the opponent's ball is in the air
- Optional vs automatic acceptance
- Birdie doubles
- Loss caps per hole or per round
- Birdie doubles automatically
- Points instead of cash to cap losses
Tips
- Hammer when the opponent is in trouble and you are safe, not when you are hoping
- Fold early rather than chase a lost hole
- Track the multiplier on the card
- Hammer when your opponent is in trouble, not when you are
- Set a maximum per hole
Poker-style bluffing turns a $1 hole into a $16 sweat.
Works with
Each link opens every game that works for that number of players.
Related games
Skins
Also called Skins Game, Cuts, Syndicates
Each hole is worth a skin; outright low score wins it, ties carry the value forward.
2+ players · best with 3–5Betting GamesEveryone for themselvesEasy to scoreMoney game
How to play →Wolf
Also called Wolf Match, Lone Wolf, Wolfman
Rotating Wolf watches drives, then picks a partner or goes it alone against everyone for bigger points.
3–5 players · best with 4Betting GamesRotating partnersMedium to scoreMoney game
How to play →Vegas
Also called Las Vegas, Daytona
Partners' scores are paired into a two-digit number; the difference between teams is the points won.
4 players only · best with 4Betting GamesPartners (2 v 2)Medium to scoreMoney game
How to play →Sources
Rules reflect the version most groups play, cross-checked across these sources. House rules vary; agree yours on the first tee.
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