Golf Betting Guide
Table of contents
Golf is a popular spectator sport in the US and with many major events and world tournaments, there are endless ways to place wagers and win profits. Online golf betting can be enjoyed at leading US sportsbooks and there are some excellent odds. Seeing as golf is an individual sport, placing wagers is a bit different than when betting on team sports like baseball or football. The outcomes in golf are based on the performance of a single player.
With golf tournaments available every week and extensive betting markets, this sport has become a preferred option for online bettors. Read on to learn more about how to place wagers, what types of bets are available, and where to safely engage in real money betting.
Golf Betting for Beginners
With online betting now legal in many US states, fans of gold have the ability to securely place wagers on exciting events during the year. One of the great benefits of golf betting is that there is always action. Aside from a short break for holidays, the golf season is played throughout the entire year. There are some major tournaments that can provide bettors with outstanding odds and a great chance to win profits.
For those just getting started, the first thing to do is become aware of the types of golf bets. We have provided details on these in the sections below. It is also important to be familiar with the game rules and how tournaments work. Many operating sportsbooks will provide free tutorials that can help any new bettor. These will provide a detailed explanation of how to select events, choose bets, and read the odds.
Research is essential when betting on golf. Bettors will want to gain as much information on players as well as courses as possible. By learning how to gather and examine stats, bettors will be able to place smart wagers and increase their chances of winning.
How to Bet on the PGA
The PGA tour is recognized by almost every sports fan in the US. It is the largest tour in the country and features top-rated players. The tournaments run throughout the year and there are many opportunities for betting. Placing a bet on any of these tournaments is very simple. After creating an account at a licensed sportsbook, make a deposit and choose PGA Tour as the sport. Here, a list of tournaments will be provided with all betting options.
While there will be many events featured all year, there are some PGA tournaments that attract more attention Bettors almost always wager on the PGA Tour Majors, the most prestigious events that are played. These include:
- The Masters – This tournament is one of the top events for bettors. Every year, the best golfers compete for their chance to don the Green Jacket and pocket a cash prize of $2.7 million.
- UP Open – This is one of the more challenging events on the tour and it is the third major played each year. The US Open is known to be one of the oldest tournaments in the world as it has been played since 1989.
- PGA Championship – One month after the masters, players tee off at the PGA Championship. A different course is selected yearly. This event was first played in 1916 and has since been an important stop during the tour.
- The Open Championship – This is the final major that is played and it takes place in July. The event is held on one of 10 courses in the United Kingdom and it is the only major that is not held in the US.
Golf Bet Types
Online sportsbooks provide many types of bets that can be placed on golf tournaments and single games. Each bet comes with different odds and some are easier to win than others. Before jumping in and placing any real money wager, take some time to review the popular types of bets that can be placed. The multiple options provide more chances to collect profits and they add to the excitement of betting online. Take a look at some of the popular bet types that are found at leading sportsbooks.
Outright Winner
This is the simplest bet that can be placed on gold and it involves selecting a golfer in the tournament who is believed to win. The odds for these bets can be very high since the sport is competitive. It is a challenging bet, but one that can yield some great returns.
Each-Way
With each-way betting, a bet will be split and half of the bet is placed on the golfer expected to win the event and the remaining half is a top-5 finish for the tournament. These bets can provide good returns. If a $10 bet is placed on each-way, $10 is bet on the golfer to win the event and $10 will be placed on that golfer finishing in the top 5. The latter will provide a smaller payout.
Head-to-Head
Head-to-head bets are created by each sportsbook and they are bets between golfers that have the same skill level. Since there is no point spread with golf betting, head-to-head matchups are often even. These bets are presented in two categories. Bets can be placed on single-rounds or full tournament play.
Golf Parlays
Parlay betting is very popular and it can offer some of the best profits. These bets are not easy to win, which is why they have high odds. When placing parlay bets, one will combine multiple bets on a single bet slip. To win, all individual legs must win. If bettors place a 4-leg bet and just one of these loses, the whole bet will lose.
Proposition Bets
When it comes to betting on golf online, prop bets can make things more exciting. These bets are not based on winners, but on other events that can occur during an event. For example, one can bet on the golfer who has the longest drive, total number of birdies, most strokes on a single hold, and much more. These bets provide some good odds and are popular choices for major events.
Nationality Bets
This is another type of outright bet and it is based on nationality. Bettors can choose what nationality will win the event. Most PGA events are dominated by US players, but bets can also be placed on the UK, Spain, Australia, or any other country. Nationality bets can be placed on PGA tournaments as well as other events, such as the European Tour.
Golf Betting Tips
Before placing any bets, there are certain things that need to be considered. By taking time to do some research, bettors will be in a better position to place wagers. While there is no guaranteed way to predict the outcome of any golf event, the following tips can be useful. These things can change often, so it is essential to stay updated on any changes to courses or player performance.
Learn Course Fit
Each golf course is different. They each have various traps and layouts. Some courses are known for having wide fairways and will have a longer length for each hole. These courses are better for golfers who have a longer average drive. On the flip side, a course that has a narrow fairway will benefit those that have driving accuracy. Sand bunkers, water, and pin placement can all affect how golfers perform. Take time to learn the layout of the course before betting and make sure that golfers have the skills needed to succeed on the course.
Strokes Gained
A statistic to look at when considering golf bets is strokes gained. This is a fast and simple way to determine how a certain player is performing. This statistic is used to measure performance in direct relation to the field. When a player has positive strokes gained, they are having an above-average performance on that shot. A negative aspect indicates poor performance.
Research Player Form
Know the players. Each golfer will have a different set of skills and will excel in areas where others do not. They can experience hot and cold streaks, just like any other athlete. Consider streaks and what has caused them. In some cases, golfers simply perform better in some events, but there are other things that can affect performance. Be aware of any injury that could impact performance and know whether players are struggling with techniques or swing mechanics.
Know Course History
Most professional golfers have played the same course multiple times and will be more aware of the layout than novice players. By looking at how players have performed on a course in the past, one can determine their odds of winning a tournament. The location of the course plays a role as well. If golfers are local to the area, they will be more familiar with the course and will have an advantage.
Be Aware of Weather Conditions
Just as with any sport that is played outdoors, the weather always plays a pivotal role. String winds can result in shorter drives and can affect accuracy. The same goes for rain that has soaked the green or fairway. Be sure to look at extended forecasts that cover the days the tournament is being played. Being aware of the weather can help when determining bets. Weather can hurt or help a player.
Where Can You Bet on Golf?
There are many options when it comes time to place real money wagers on golf. Any licensed online sportsbook will offer odds for PGHA tour events as well as tournaments in other countries. Take a look at some of the best sites for golf betting. These are all operating in the US and provide secure success, trusted payment methods, and amazing odds.
FanDuel
This is one of the top sites for wagering on golf. There are a variety of betting selections such as odds on winners of tournaments, players to finish in Top 5, Top 10, and Top 20, odds on making or missing the cut, and much more. FanDuel recently introduced the integration of the IMG Arena Golf Event Centre. This boosted the site's ability to offer a huge array of live markets. This enhanced live betting by providing enhanced views of tournaments. Shots can be tracked in real-time and bettors can access course maps.
BetMGM
BetMGM has been working to improve their golf market and it is now one of the best choices online. When betting here, one can select head-to-head 2-ball and 3-ball matchups. This is a betting category that is becoming very popular with online bettors. All of the standard bets are also supported at BetMGM and customers will be able to get started with an excellent welcome bonus.
DraftKings
This site has it all when it comes to golf betting. It features standard bets, but there is much more to the sportsbook. The site also offers futures and there are three different Golf Specials available. These include Player X to win a major, Player X to finish in the top 10 in all 4 Majors, and Player X to finish top 5 in all 4 Majors. The odds provided with these markets are known to be quite high. They are risky bets, but will surely lead to a lucrative payout.
Caesars Sportsbook
Caesars Sportsbook is a premier destination for betting on golf, offering a wide range of betting options for enthusiasts. Whether you're looking to bet on the winner of a tournament, players to land in the Top 5, Top 10, or Top 20, or even on making or missing the cut, Caesars has you covered. The platform is continually enhancing its golf betting market, recently integrating advanced features that enrich live betting experiences. These improvements include real-time tracking of shots and comprehensive access to course maps, allowing bettors to engage deeply with the event as it unfolds. Additionally, Caesars Sportsbook provides competitive odds and a variety of trusted payment methods, ensuring a secure and satisfactory betting experience. Bettors can also take advantage of generous promotions and bonuses as they place their wagers on both PGA Tour events and international tournaments.
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