What Is a Rider in Golf?

Ever been standing over a critical shot and heard someone in your group gleefully declare they’re using a rider? If you’ve only ever played by the strict Rules of Golf, this term might leave you scratching your head. A rider is one of golf’s a popular, informal rules that can make a friendly round or a charity tournament much more enjoyable. This guide will walk you through exactly what a rider is, when to use it, and how to use it strategically to your advantage.

What is a 'Rider' in Golf? The Simple Definition

Think of a rider as a mulligan on steroids. While a traditional mulligan is almost always a "do-over" exclusively for your first tee shot of the day, a rider is a mulligan that you can use on any shot, anywhere on the golf course.

Sliced your drive into the woods on the 7th hole? Use a rider. Chunked a simple chip shot next to the green on the 14th? Take a rider. Badly misread a crucial putt? You can even use a rider there, too. It’s a get-out-of-jail-free card for a single, poorly executed shot.

It’s important to understand that the rider is not an official rule recognized by the USGA or R&A. You won't see pros on TV using them a Sunday at the Masters. It is an informal, agreed-upon rule used in specific formats like charity scrambles and casual games between friends to add fun, speed up play, and lower the stress of the game.

The "cost" of a rider varies. In a charity event, you might pay real money for them. In a game with buddies, the "cost" might simply be that you've used up your one and only do-over for the day. Once it's used, it's gone.

Common Scenarios: When Do Riders Come into Play?

You’ll most often encounter riders in a few specific settings. Understanding these contexts will help you see why they've become such a popular part of casual golf culture.

Charity Tournaments and Scrambles

This is the most common place to see riders in action. In many charity events, especially those with a scramble format, "rider packages" are sold before the round begins. Teams can purchase a package that might include, for example, two riders and one "string" (where you can move your ball the length of a piece of string without penalty).

Why is this so popular? Two big reasons:

• Fundraising: It’s an easy and fun way for the charity to raise extra money. Teams are more than happy to pay for an advantage that also lowers their pressure.
• Pace and Enjoyment: Scrambles are meant to be fun and low-stress, accommodating golfers of all skill levels. Riders prevent one really bad shot from derailing a team's hole. A topped drive or a shanked iron doesn’t turn into a five-minute search in the fescue. The player simply declares "rider," re-hits, and the game moves on.

Friendly Four-Ball and Nassau Matches

Riders can also spice up a regular weekend game with friends. Before teeing off, your group might agree on a set number of riders for each player. For example: "Okay guys, everyone gets two riders for the round. Use them wisely!"

In this setting, a rider acts as a powerful strategic tool. It keeps the match competitive and prevents one player from falling out of a hole because of a single disaster. If you dunk your tee shot in the water on a tough par 3, using a rider can keep your team in the hole and the match exciting. It discourages frustration and encourages more aggressive, fun-loving play.

As a Practice and Confidence-Building Tool

Even when you're playing alone, you can use the rider *concept* as a powerful learning tool. Think of it as a "Mental Rider." Let's say you're facing a shot you always struggle with, like a lengthy recovery from a fairway bunker.

1. First Attempt: Play the shot as you normally would. See what happens.
2. "Mental Rider" Attempt: Now, give yourself a do-over. This time, try something different. Maybe you change clubs, adjust your setup, or try a different swing thought.

This is a an effective learning strategy. The first shot gives you direct feedback, and the "rider" shot allows you to experiment and find a better solution without pressure. It’s a way to turn a practice round into a productive, on-course coaching session with yourself.

Playing Smart: How to Use Your Riders Strategically

Having a rider in your back pocket doesn’t mean you should be careless. Just like a chess player protects their queen, you should protect your riders and deploy them when they can have the biggest impact on your score. Here’s a coach's guide to rider strategy.

The Golden Rule: Save It for a True Disaster

The biggest mistake amateurs make is wasting their rider too early on a mediocre shot. A tee shot that finishes in the first cut of rough is not a disaster. A putt that lips out from 10 feet is annoying, but it's not a catastrophe. Don't burn your only do-over on a shot that’s just “okay.”

Save your rider for a moment that will truly cripple your score for the hole:

• A drive hit out of bounds (OB) or into a water hazard (a two-stroke penalty).
• A second shot on a par 5 that you thin into a creek in front of the green.
• A completely flubbed chip from a simple lie that travels two feet.
• A fatted sand shot that stays in the bunker.

Using a rider turns a potential double or triple bogey from one of these mistakes back into a chance to save par or bogey.

The Team Scramble Strategy

In a scramble, rider strategy is a team sport. Usually, you’ll have players with different skill levels on a team.

• Let your weaker players use the riders. This takes the pressure off them and allows them to swing freely. If the first three players are safely in the fairway, why not let your high-handicapper go for broke with the driver? If they pull it off, great. If they hit a wild one, they can just use a rider.
• NEVER let your best player on any given hole a rider. If your "A player" hits a fantastic tee shot to the middle of the fairway, the rider should be reserved for other players who mess up their shot. If your A-player instead hits a rare bad shot, let the other team members hit. Only after everyone else has failed to produce better shot should you even consider burning your lone rider for the best hitter to hit another one again.
• The final shot rider. Sometimes the best opportunity to use a rider to clinch a win during a scramble competition is right on the final shot of the tournament. The first three players miss their birdie attempt on the 18th hole... so on the final shot, you give your designated best player two shots to drain the winning putt for a low score. The excitement is high for the whole group.

What about Putts?

As a general rule, using a rider on a putt is a low-value play. A missed five-footer is a frustrating one-stroke mistake. An out-of-bounds drive is a definite two-stroke penalty (stroke and distance). All things being equal, save it for the bigger errors. The exception can be in a scramble when a long, winding putt is the only shot standing between your team and victory, letting your best putter have two tries at it can be a smart move.

The Unwritten Rules: Rider Etiquette

Even though riders are an informal rule, there is still accepted etiquette. Following these simple conventions will make sure everyone stays on the same page and the game remains fun and fair for everyone.

• Establish the Rules Before Teeing Off. Before anyone hits a shot on the first tee, the group needs to agree. How many riders does each person get? Are they one-time use? Is it one rider per side, or for the whole 18? Don't leave it ambiguous.
• Declare Your Intention Clearly. You must announce you're hitting a rider *before* you hit your second ball. You can't hit a provisional, see that it’s better than your first, and then retroactively call the first shot a "rider." You have to commit to the re-do aloud. A simple, "Okay, I'm using my rider here" is all it takes.
• The Second Ball is LIVE. Once you declare a rider, your first ball is out of play - no matter what. If your rider shot is worse than your original, that's just tough luck. You are 'riding' your hopes on the second one having a better outcome but always you must have play the second shot. It’s a gamble, and you have to live with the result.
• Be Quick and Don't Slow Down Play. A rider isn't an excuse for a five-minute conference. Announce your intention, grab another ball, and hit the shot promptly. The whole point is to keep the game moving and fun, so don't let the process get bogged down.

Final Thoughts

In short, a rider is a fun, informal do-over that can be used on any shot, designed to make friendly rounds and charity events more forgiving and enjoyable. By saving them for true disasters and establishing clear rules before you play, you can strategically use them to avoid blow-up holes and keep the competition fair and exciting.

While using fun rules like riders is a great way to handle mistakes, the best approach is to reduce them in the first place with smarter on-course strategy. We designed Caddie AI to act as that on-demand golf expert in your pocket, giving you a clear game plan when you need it most. When you’re facing a daunting tee shot or are stuck with a terrible lie in the rough, instead of just guessing and hoping, you can ask for a smart play recommendation or even take a photo to get instant analysis and advice. It's built to give you the confidence to commit to every shot, so you won’t have to wish you had a rider to save you.