What is Nassau Golf?
April 10, 2008
You mentioned match play in your last answer but what I have always wondered about is nassau golf. Some people say it’s a type of golf game based off a bet but I’m not sure, could you help please? - Jena in Edgemont, SD
You’re pretty much there, Nassau golf is a popular tournament format that consists of 3 separate tournaments in one. These 3 bets are combined together into one game. The most common Nassau golf game is betting on the front nine for $2, the back nine for $2 along with the 18-hole total that is worth another $2.
Keeping score in Nassau is practically the same thing as in match play golf but then again the players ultimately decide which scoring system to use. The team or player with the most points at the end of each 9 holes will win that side and from there, both the front and back 9 holes are totaled for the 18 hole award.
And naturally by using the joy of simple math, if you are a skilled golfer, a whopping $6 will be your prize. Cool huh?
You might be thinking that if you are going make a Nassau golf bet, you might as well make it worth your time right? Well, there is something that is called to press the bet, or pressing the bet. Basically, for each tournament that is originally $2 per 9 holes, a single player or a team can up the ante and raise the bet for that particular 9 holes or altogether on the 18 hole tally. Usually this is just another $2 added to the original bet but it is up to the player’s discretion.
Becareful though becasue this can lead to some pretty high stakes. Of course its depending on a person’s or a team’s level of enthusiasm to combine alcohol, golf, betting and money. Choose wisely. Happy strokes!!
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Your Nearest Point of Relief in Golf
March 5, 2008
How would I figure out the nearest point of relief? - Nathan in Odessa, TX
Hmmm, well the nearest point of relief is not the bush over yonder where you can urinate after your 8th beer.
The nearest point of relief is the spot where a ball can be played which is nearest to where the original ball lies. This is the closest spot on the course that is away from interference where a player may drop or place their ball.
Now here is an example, if the cart path interferes with your ball, stance or swing, you can move and drop the ball with absolutely no penalty. But you must drop your ball within one club-length of the nearest point where you can stand and swing without interference from the path - so long as you do not move the ball closer to the hole.
This also depends on the length of your club that you are about to take your next shot with so keep that in mind. Look at your ball in relation to the hole and what is causing the interference. Then determine the nearest point that allows you to stand and make the swing that you need for your next shot and this is your nearest point of relief.
P.S. I have recently answered a question about casual water and how this relates to the nearest point of relief. Take a look.
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The Origin of Fore in Golf
February 29, 2008
A reader of ours had a question regarding the origin of using the term fore in golf vs saying things like heads-up or look out!!! Joe, this is for you.
The saying fore in golf means “ahead”, and it is believed to come from the military “beware before”, which was shouted when a battery fired behind friendly troops. So yelling “fore” is just a short and easy way to tell people to “watch out ahead” or “watch out before”.
Another possible origin is that the term came from “fore caddy”. A fore caddy is a person who goes along with a group of people around a golf course. They would often go ahead to be in a position so they could pinpoint the locations of the groups’ shots. If a golfer hit a bad shot, they may have alerted this person by yelling fore. The British Golf Museum cites an 1881 reference to “fore” in a golf book, establishing that the term was already in use at that period of time.
There you have it Joe, with some things it can be hard to pin down their exact origin. But regardless if you yell fore in golf or look out!!!, make sure that your fellow golfers know darn well that something is headed in their direction.
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The Origin of Golf - According to Robin Williams
February 19, 2008
Golf did originate Scotland that much is true but a lot of the rest of this version of the origin of golf by the legendary comedian Robin Williams is open to much debate. However, this is one of the funniest comedic romps about golf I have ever heard. It is an old classic but one I never tire of watching.
Warning in advance if you have never watched this video before, it is not for the timid. Robin is found of 4 letter words to say the least.
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