Betting on golf offers unique opportunities for strategic bettors due to the sport's long tournaments and individual performances. This guide will cover the basics, the most popular tournaments, betting markets, live betting opportunities, and tips for success.
Introduction to Golf Betting
Golf betting has grown in popularity thanks to its long-established tournaments and the individual nature of the game.
With events like the Masters and The Open, bettors are drawn to the many variables that make predicting outcomes exciting.
The challenge in golf betting lies in understanding player form, course suitability, and weather conditions, which significantly affect player performance.
What is the PGA Tour?
The PGA Tour is the biggest and most popular golf tour, so every online bookmaker offers markets for major tournaments. The quality bookmakers also offer markets on most PGA tournaments that run yearly and worldwide, including the Majors.
What are the USPGA Tour and the European Tour?
The USPGA tour is played from January to November each year, and there are 45 betting tournaments on the USPGA tour, which are played in North America.
The other is the European tour, which has 52 events (basically one a week), which are played all year from November to November worldwide; the last tournament of the year is the Dubai World Championship.
Many online bookmakers also offer the major markets for The European Tour tournaments, but for better odds, it is important to check different bookmakers because American ones will often offer lower odds on American players and higher odds on European players, and European bookmakers will offer lower odds on European players and have higher odds for American players.
What is the LPGA?
The LPGA (Women's golf) markets are usually limited to tournament winners only. Like the men's game, some events run all year, and there are some major events; they also have a US Open and a UK Championship, for example. The women's game is becoming very popular, so look out for 3-ball and head-to-head betting markets as they will become available soon.
Popular Golf Tournaments
Here are 10 major golf tournaments to bet on:
The Masters (USA) – One of the four major championships, known for its iconic Augusta National course.
The Open Championship (UK) – A historic event, also known as the British Open, played on links courses.
U.S. Open (USA) – Known for its difficult setups and emphasis on precision.
PGA Championship (USA) – Another major, featuring the top players globally.
Ryder Cup (USA/Europe) – A team competition between the U.S. and Europe, bringing unique betting dynamics.
Presidents Cup (USA/International) – A team event between the U.S. and the rest of the world, excluding Europe.
The Players Championship (USA) – Sometimes referred to as the “fifth major,” known for its strong field.
European Tour Championships (Europe) – The best players from the European Tour competing for top honors.
The Memorial Tournament (USA) – A prestigious PGA Tour event, known for its challenging course.
FedEx Cup Playoffs (USA) – The PGA Tour’s playoff system, with high stakes and large purses.
Golf Betting Markets
There are many ways to bet on golf, each offering unique strategies. Here are some of the most popular markets:
1. Outright Winner
Bet on which player will win the tournament. This is the most common and straightforward golf bet.
2. Each-Way Betting
Similar to outright winner betting, but you also bet on whether the player finishes in the top places, typically top 5 or 6.
3. Top 10 Finish
Wager on whether a specific player will finish in the top 10.
4. Top 20 Finish
A safer bet where you predict if a player will finish in the top 20.
5. Head-to-Head Betting
Bet on which player will perform better in a given round or tournament between two selected players.
6. First Round Leader
Bet on which player will be leading after the first round of the tournament.
7. Winning Margin
Predict how many strokes the winner will win by, such as one stroke or more.
8. Nationality of Winner
Wager on the nationality of the player who will win the tournament (e.g., American, European).
9. Hole-in-One
Bet on whether there will be a hole-in-one during the tournament.
10. Matchup Betting
Bet on which player will have the better score in a specific round or over the entire tournament.
11. 3-Ball Betting
A bet placed on which player will win a 3-player group for a specific round.
12. Make the Cut
Bet on whether a player will make or miss the cut after the first two rounds.
13. Group Betting
Bet on which player will perform best out of a specific group of 3-5 players.
14. Winning Score
Predict the exact winning score for the tournament (e.g., -10 under par).
15. Round Score
Bet on the exact score of a player in a specific round.
Golf Live Betting
Live betting on golf offers an interactive experience, allowing bettors to place wagers while the tournament is underway. Given golf’s slower pace and changing conditions, live betting is particularly useful for adjusting bets based on performance and weather.
Popular Live Betting Markets
Next Hole Score: Bet on what score a player will get on the upcoming hole (e.g., birdie, par, bogey).
Updated Outright Winner: Odds adjust as the tournament progresses, allowing bettors to back players who are performing well.
Updated Matchups: Bet on which player will win their head-to-head matchup, with odds updated throughout the tournament.
Key Situations to Watch
Golf live betting is influenced by external conditions like weather (rain or wind can dramatically affect performance), player fatigue, and course difficulty (some holes are notoriously tougher than others). Betting during these moments can provide an edge.
Tips for Winning Golf Bets
1. Analyze Player Form
Study a player’s recent performances and how they’ve fared on similar courses. Players who are in good form, particularly in specific conditions, are more likely to perform well.
2. Understand Course Fit
Some players excel on specific types of courses (e.g., long hitters on courses with wider fairways, strong putters on courses with tricky greens). Understanding course fit can give you an advantage.
3. Consider Weather Conditions
Golf is highly influenced by the weather. Wind, rain, or extreme heat can impact scores, especially on links courses where wind plays a significant role.
How Many Golfers Are There?
The fields are also quite large - up to 150 players in some tournaments, so it is possible to bet on players with very good odds. The fields also get "cut" after the first two rounds, making it easier to choose who to gamble on later stages. (It is also possible to gamble on who will or won't "cut"!)
Because there are so many golf tournaments, the better players are spread around the world playing at different tournaments - it is only at the Major golf tournaments that you find all the best players in the same field. Better players often pick and choose the tournaments they enter, and they do this because these are the tournaments they like or have a good chance of winning.
When Can I Bet On Golf?
Golf tournaments are usually played for four days, from Thursday to Sunday, so there are plenty of chances to win money. Because there are four rounds in each tournament, the tournament leaders can change many times, making it more difficult for the bookmakers to offer odds on different players.
The odds offered are also offered at Each Way - usually up to five places so there are opportunities to make money as the odds are often high. Most major online bookmakers will make their odds available on or before the Monday of the same week that the tournament starts.
How to Bet on Golf
Betting on golf through online bookmakers is straightforward but requires strategic planning. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Choose a Reliable Bookmaker: Select an online bookmaker with competitive odds and a wide range of golf markets.
- Create an Account: Register and verify your account on the bookmaker’s platform.
- Deposit Funds: Use a secure payment method to fund your account.
- Analyze the Tournament: Consider player form, course history, weather conditions, and recent performances.
- Select Your Markets: Pick the betting markets that align with your research, whether it's outright winner, top 10 finish, or head-to-head matchups.
- Place Your Bets: Confirm your wager and track the tournament for live betting opportunities.
- Monitor Results: After the event, check your bets and withdraw any winnings.
Conclusion
Golf betting offers a wide range of markets and opportunities for bettors to strategize and engage with the sport. By understanding the nuances of player form, course characteristics, and weather conditions, you can increase your chances of making informed and successful wagers.
