Some of the guys in our club like to press once a match is over. Say they lose the front nine 2&1. They expect to be able to press on the 9th. tee. Similarly, they wait until they are closed out on the 18 hole match to press. In my 30 or so years of friendly wagering, I expect the option to press when I am 2 down, and the option to accept a press when I am 2 up, which I would almost never refuse, lest it comes back to haunt me later.

My understanding is that a press is a bet that runs concurrent to the original bet. Pressing when the match (or side) is lost is tantamount to a double or nothing bet, which I think is foolish. Anyone with experience or opinions in these matters please chime in.

I see what you mean. How can anyone press for anything after the result? You can only press when there something to press for - that's the whole point. It's usually the resolve of desperados to try and cut their losses after a bad few holes, but after the match has concluded? - you may as well toss a coin. Pay up and shut up is the only way to go.

I totally agree. These guys will sometimes wait 'til the 18th tee and roll everything over onto one hole. They think the whole golf world bets that way. Takes all the fun out of it. My standard deal is a $5 or $10 Nassau, 6 ways, press when you're 2 down. I have played an automatic 2 down press, but they add up in a hurry.

If you "lose" down 2&1, you still have a hole left to play, thus the ability to press is basically a wager on the last hole. Or at least that is my understanding, so if you are down 2&1, it does work out to a double or nothing, either the pressing team wins the press and thus is only down 1 on the original bet, so it is a push or they lose the press and are then down in both bets

I have only recently been introduced to "pressing" and I think it really adds some fun to a match that otherwise would be over.

a press is a when a new bet is started after the original bet has already been made. So, if you press on the 3rd hole, you still have the original bet and another bet that carries on for the next 7 holes in a 9 hole match and so on. Where I play there is no possible way to press after the round is over. What would there be to bet on?

That would be double or nothing.

Here's how a press works. You and I tee it up, and you win the first 2 holes. Being 2 down, I press and you accept. I win the next 2 holes, so I am even on the original bet, and 2 up on the press. If you like your chances at that point, you have the option to 'press the press', as you are now 2 down on the first press. As you are a shrewd man, and a skilled player, you win the next 2 holes, so you are 2 up on the match, even on the first press, and 2 up on the second press. I have the option to press the second press, but you're killing the ball and the 7th hole favors you. Thankfully, I didn't press because you win the 7th hole, winning the front nine 3&2, you're 1 up on the first press, and you won the second press 3&2. I owe you a lot of money. I think you'll agree that scenario is better than me waiting til the 9th tee to press, right?

Yep, it runs concurrent to the original bet, or match.

I don't know if this happens on a regular basis to you but it has to me. I just let them set up a new bet less than what they owe me and tell them that if they want to press, next time they can do it on the 17th tee box. How I handle the un-informed.

I see this all of the time. You play 17 holes to win one bet and thene the losers expect you to play 1 hole for the same amount of money. I always tell them I will play the 18th for half of the bet. That way I still get paid something for the 1st 17.

For years I made sure that we were clear on the first tee, but I've slacked off. From now on when we make the bets I'll be sure to specify that you can press when you're 2 down or not at all. I checked Sam Snead's book on wagering this afternoon, and he agrees with us, the majority here. Another good book says the number one rule of Nassau betting is never accept a double or nothing bet. I think I'll keep that book in my bag!

Press's are a way to lose twice as much money when your already playing bad enough causing you to lose your original match.

If you were playing badly, why would you press?

For me I dont mind the double or nothing last ditch press on the last. I figure all the pressure is on them, not to mention since I already won the first bet/s I have a very good chance of winning the next one as well. I wont accept a press though if Im only 1 up. That brings losing money into play which is a whole different ball of wax.

What, golf is not hard enough? I've got to follow this as well?

You are usually always not playing great when you press, otherwise you would probably be winning.

In team matches its a desperate attempt to make up lost money, well in my case it was. My partner wanted to always press.

All we play is 2 down autos for this reason. We play $5 bets two down autos or $5/$5/$10 (front/back/total) one best ball. If we have four/fivesomes we'll go 2 best ball or 2 best ball on the 4's and 3 best ball on the 3's and 5's.

It's also possible that the next few holes favor you or your partner, or that handicap strokes are a factor. There is some skill involved in playing a Nassau.

Its easier with a scorecard.

I prefer auto's too. Keeps the game fun, and the wussies at home.