How to Bet on Golf

A game that deftly combines strategy, skill, and finesse with the chaos of an 100+ player field, golf is one of the most popular sports to bet on, and for good reason. But the same things that make it so beloved can also make it incredibly challenging for new bettors to find their footing.

That’s where we come in. From key terms to helpful tips and impactful examples, this comprehensive golf betting guide will give you all the information you need to know to bet on golf like a seasoned bro. So get out your clubs and let’s hit the course.

How to Read Golf Odds

Understanding golf odds is essential for anyone looking to venture into golf betting. These odds work similarly to those of other popular sports and are typically presented in the American odds format.

In American odds, you’ll notice a “+” and “-” sign before a number. The plus sign (+) is associated with underdogs, representing the potential profit you’d make on a $100 bet. For example, if a golfer has odds of +300, a $100 bet on them would potentially yield a $300 profit.

Conversely, the minus sign (-) is tied to favorites. It represents the amount you’d need to wager to potentially win $100. So, if a golfer has odds of -150, you’d need to bet $150 to potentially make a $100 profit.

How Do Sportsbooks Set Golf Betting Lines?

Setting golf betting lines is a complex process that involves numerous factors to accurately predict a tournament’s outcome. Sportsbooks don’t rely on a single criterion; instead, they consider a broad range of variables that encompass every facet of the game.

One of the most significant influences is the golf course itself. Betting sites carefully evaluate how a particular course’s design and features can impact different golfers. For instance, they assess whether it suits players with powerful drives or those with strong putting skills. They also identify holes that could pose significant challenges.

Weather conditions play a vital role in line setting. Wind direction and speed can drastically alter the playing field, benefiting some golfers while hampering others. Sportsbooks take these factors into account when establishing odds.

Advanced golf statistics are another critical aspect. Metrics like greens in regulation, driving distance, and putting accuracy offer valuable insights into a golfer’s strengths and weaknesses.

Recent injuries and trends in a golfer’s performance are also important considerations. If a top golfer has been performing exceptionally well in recent tournaments, sportsbooks may adjust their odds to reflect this form.

Golf Sports Betting Examples

Now that you have a bit of the basics down, it’s time to step off the driving range and head on over to the actual course. We think that the best way to learn is by example, so we’ve put together some imaginary scenarios for all of the popular bet types you’re likely to encounter.

Don’t just focus on how each type of bet works, but also pay close attention to the reasoning behind them, and try to use that same reasoning when making your own wagers.

Tournament Winner

Betting on the tournament winner is exactly what it sounds like, it’s betting on who you think is going to win a major event. However, instead of putting all your eggs in one golfer’s basket, a safer and often more profitable strategy is to select a small group of players with a good chance of winning. Betting on multiple golfers can help manage risk. While this approach may reduce the maximum potential profit, it enhances your chances of securing a win.

Consider the Phoenix Open, a tournament that leans favorably towards golfers with impressive driving skills. In this context, you might choose to place bets on multiple favorites like Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, and Rickie Fowler, all vying for that top spot.

Finisher Position

Finisher position bets function similarly to tournament winner bets, but they provide you with more flexibility. With these bets, you’re not solely predicting the tournament winner; you can wager on a golfer’s performance within a certain range, typically the top five, 10, or 20 positions.

When approaching finisher position bets, it’s essential to consider the golf course’s characteristics and how they may impact a golfer’s performance. Each golf course has unique features that may favor specific playing styles. For instance, courses with large, undulating greens may be favorable to golfers with excellent putting skills, while long and wide fairways may suit players known for their powerful drives.

If you’re betting on a tournament with challenging greens, you might consider placing bets on golfers renowned for their putting prowess, such as Tommy Fleetwood and Eric Cole, to finish in the top 10. With finisher position bets, you have a safety net – even if your selected golfer doesn’t win the tournament, you can still secure a payout if they finish within the specified range.

Each-Way Betting

Each-way betting is a hybrid approach that provides a balance between tournament winner and finisher position bets. When you place an each-way bet, you’re essentially making one wager, but the sportsbook splits it into two parts: the first bet is on your golfer to win the tournament, and the second is on your golfer to finish within a specific range, usually the top five positions.

This type of bet is ideal when you believe a golfer has a good chance of performing well in a tournament, but you’re not entirely certain if they will clinch the title. The each-way bet provides you with insurance – even if your golfer doesn’t win, you can still secure a payout if they finish within the specified range.

Think about a $20 each-way bet on Jordan Spieth to win the US Open. In this scenario, you’re essentially placing two bets. The first bet is a wager on Spieth to win the tournament, usually offered at longer odds. The second bet is a wager on Spieth to finish within the top five positions, generally provided at shorter odds.

Head-to-Head Matchups

Head-to-head bets are a fantastic way to simplify your golf betting and narrow down your focus. Instead of involving the entire field of dozens of golfers, head-to-head bets present a straightforward option. In these wagers, you select one golfer to compete directly against another. The objective is to predict which of the two golfers will finish higher in the tournament standings.

This type of bet can also include groups of golfers who are teeing off together. For example, if a group includes golfers like Matthew Fitzpatrick, Brooks Koepka, and Justin Thomas, you can place a head-to-head matchup bet on any of them to outperform the others in the group.

Head-to-head bets are excellent for those who want to focus their attention on a select group of golfers, especially if they have a deep understanding of the competitors’ strengths and weaknesses.

Futures

Futures betting in golf is all about taking a long-term perspective. Rather than betting on the outcome of a single game, this approach involves placing wagers on events that are yet to occur, typically major tournaments like the Masters or the British Open, or specific scenarios such as money list leaders.

For example, if Bryson DeChambeau is showing strong form leading up to the Masters, you might consider placing a futures bet on him to secure the title. Futures betting allows you to secure potentially favorable odds before a tournament commences, often offering more lucrative payouts than if you were to place the same bet once the tournament is underway.

Parlays

Parlays are a more complex but potentially higher-reward form of golf betting. They are multi-leg bets that consolidate multiple selections into a single wager. This type of bet offers the possibility of larger payouts than individual bets, but there’s a catch – every selection in your parlay must be correct for you to win.

To illustrate, consider the US Open. In this scenario, you might create a parlay that includes several different selections. You could bet on Scottie Scheffler to win the tournament, Xander Schauffele to lead after the first round, and Collin Morikawa to achieve more than 3.5 birdies during the tournament, and predict that there will be at least one hole-in-one.

While the odds for each of these events might be reasonable individually, they can accumulate significantly when combined in a parlay. If all your selections turn out to be correct, your potential payout could be substantial.

Props

Props, or proposition bets, provide a unique and entertaining aspect of golf betting. Unlike traditional bets tied to the tournament’s final outcome, prop bets focus on specific player or team performances within the game. In golf, this can encompass a wide range of scenarios, such as the number of birdies a golfer will score, their score on a particular hole, or how they’ll perform in specific situations.

Prop bets can make watching a golf tournament even more exciting, as you can have a stake in numerous facets of the game. For example, you might place a prop bet on a golfer to record a certain number of birdies during a round. These bets can add an extra layer of engagement and make your golf-watching experience more immersive.

Live Betting

Placing bets during an ongoing match, live betting is an excellent way to leverage your knowledge of the sport and the current tournament conditions. It’s an exciting and interactive form of golf betting that allows you to engage with the action as it unfolds. This type of betting is especially popular among golf fans who enjoy watching the tournaments live and want to add a participatory element to their wagers.

Let’s use a scenario where a sudden change in wind direction neutralizes the impact of big drivers. If you’re watching the tournament live and notice that finesse players are excelling down the back stretch, you could place a live bet on one of these them to perform strongly and potentially secure a win.

Golf Betting Tips

So, we’ve made it down the fairway and are on the green. But before you can nail the putt, you need to learn a few tips. These golf gambling tips aren’t going to make you an overnight success, but what they will do is make you a more cautious, rational, and analytically-minded bettor.

Diversify Your Portfolio

In the dynamic world of golf betting, diversification can be your secret weapon when learning how to bet on golf tournaments. With a plethora of talented golfers teeing off in any tournament, rather than banking on one, consider spreading your bets across multiple players.

By carefully researching and selecting four or five golfers with the right skill set and favorable statistics, you enhance your overall chances of success. While this approach may yield smaller individual wins, it significantly boosts your odds of consistent success over the long haul.

Think of the Course

Understanding the intricacies of golf course design can be pivotal in making informed bets. Golf courses vary significantly in features like fairway width and hole length, which can favor different types of players. For instance, expansive fairways and lengthy holes may play into the hands of powerful drivers, while shorter, narrow fairways might be a boon for golfers with strong approach skills. Tailoring your bets to suit the course can give you a strategic edge in golf betting.

The Weather Always Matters

The weather’s role in golf betting cannot be understated. Conditions like wind and rain can drastically influence a golfer’s performance. For example, a change in wind direction may negate the advantage of strong drivers, while wet conditions can turn even the best putting experts into underperformers. Understanding how various weather conditions affect different styles of play is essential for making wise betting decisions.

The Importance of Form

One of our essential golf betting rules, knowing a golfer’s current form and physical condition is pivotal in golf betting. Even top players can experience slumps, while underdogs can surge with outstanding performances. However, delving deeper, factors like injuries and changes in a golfer’s swing mechanics can impact their game. Keeping an eye on these nuances is crucial. A golfer’s form and fitness play a significant role in determining their success on the fairways, making it essential to consider these factors when placing your bets.

Use Data To Bring it Home

Golf betting isn’t just about gut feelings; it’s about the numbers. The world of golf analytics has opened up new horizons for bettors. Embrace the power of data-driven decision-making in your golf wagers. Let your Masters and US Open predictions be guided by extensive statistical analysis, harnessing advanced metrics and performance indicators unique to golf.

Dive into player-specific data like driving accuracy, greens in regulation, and putting statistics to evaluate a golfer’s skills and potential performance. Additionally, consider course-specific statistics such as average scores on par 5s or performance on specific grass types. This data-driven approach will help you identify matchups where certain golfers hold a distinct advantage over their opponents.

Always Look for the Best Deal

One golden rule of golf betting is to not limit yourself to a single sportsbook. Maintaining accounts on multiple sports betting platforms provides a range of distinct advantages. Firstly, it allows you to capitalize on various bonuses and promotions, ultimately saving you money in the long run. Secondly, having access to multiple sportsbooks ensures that you consistently find the best lines for your bets, enhancing your overall betting experience and success

Trends are Fine But They Have Their Limits

Don’t fall into the trap of blindly following public consensus. Betting with the crowd, especially in golf, can lead to losses over time. To make a profit, you need to take calculated risks, especially when it comes to underdogs. Always have a solid reason for making any bet, and don’t rely on gut feelings or popular trends.

Manage Your Bankroll

Bankroll management might not sound glamorous, but it’s the bedrock of successful sports betting. In golf betting, it’s all about using and tracking your funds responsibly. Bankroll management isn’t about chasing massive wins; it’s about ensuring steady, consistent growth while protecting yourself from major losses. By maintaining a well-structured bankroll and following intelligent money management strategies, you establish yourself as a financially savvy bettor, ensuring stability and long-term profitability.