Side Bet
A side bet is a side competition that runs parallel to the actual competition.
The side bet adds its own challenge to the main ranking of a tournament. The best-known forms are Nearest to Pin, where the tee shot finishing closest to the flag counts, and Longest Drive, where the longest tee shot on a specific hole wins. Supplementary rankings such as the best ladies' or men's round also fall into this category. The results have no influence on the main ranking, but there are almost always separate prizes. At the relevant tee there is often a measuring stick or a marker card ready.
In practice it works like this: on the par-3 seventh, a card with the names and distances so far lies at the edge of the green. Your tee shot lands two metres from the flag, while the best distance so far is four metres. You write your name on the card and mark your ball position. If a ball later finishes closer, the card passes on. In a longest drive, the tee shot only counts if the ball comes to rest on the fairway — the rough does not count.
Typical mistakes are forgetting to sign up and doubting the measurement. If you do not note your distance immediately, you have no proof at the end. Another favourite: the longest drive winner was standing in the rough and the entry was still valid because nobody read the local rules. Clarify before the round how the side bet is counted. Officially organised side competitions in tournaments are also called Special Competition.
FAQ
How do I sign up properly for a side bet at the tee?
At the relevant tee there is a marker card showing the names and distances so far. If you hit the target better than the current best, sign up immediately and mark your ball position before continuing to play. Anyone who puts off signing up has no proof at the end and goes away empty-handed.
Does a side bet affect my result in the main competition?
No, the side bet runs completely separately from the actual competition. Your stroke count for the round stays unchanged; there are simply separate prizes for the side competition. In a longest drive, by the way, the tee shot usually only counts if the ball comes to rest on the fairway — the rough does not count.
Which mistake annoys tournament organisers the most with side bets?
The classic is the invalid entry because the local rules were not read: the supposed winner was in the rough, measured incorrectly or never filled in the card at all. Clarify with the club office before the round how exactly counting and measuring work. Officially organised side competitions are also known as special competitions.