Golf betting has grown in popularity, with major tournaments like The Masters, The Open Championship, and the PGA Tour events offering exciting opportunities for bettors. With its unique combination of skill, strategy, and unpredictability, golf is an appealing sport for wagering.
However, the golf betting landscape can seem daunting, given the variety of markets and the number of players in the field. This guide will help simplify golf betting by exploring the best types of golf bets and offering practical tips for improving your chances of success.
Outright Winner Bets
The outright winner bet is the most straightforward golf wager. This involves picking the player you think will win the tournament. With large fields, especially in majors, the odds for outright winners can be generous, even for favourites. For instance, top players like Rory McIlroy or Jon Rahm might offer decent returns, but identifying value in lesser-known players with strong recent form can be more lucrative.
Tips
Choosing players in good form coming into a tournament are more likely to perform well. Check how players have performed in recent weeks and at similar courses.
Some players excel on specific types of courses or have consistently performed well at certain events. For example, players like Jordan Spieth tend to thrive at Augusta National.
Each-Way Bets
Each-way betting is a popular option for golf because it provides a safety net. With an each-way bet, you are betting on a player to either win the tournament or finish in the top positions (usually the top five or six, depending on the bookmaker). This gives you a better chance of a return, even if your pick does not win outright.
Tips
Look for Value in Mid-Range Players: Betting each-way on players with longer odds can offer great value if they finish near the top. A player like Matthew Fitzpatrick or Tommy Fleetwood might not be the outright favourite, but they often deliver consistent performances, making them good each-way options.
Some betting exchanges may offer better terms on each-way betting, so compare offers across different platforms.
Top 5, Top 10, or Top 20 Finish
If you are not confident enough to pick a tournament winner, you can opt for a bet on a player to finish in the top 5, top 10, or top 20. This is a safer option with lower payouts but offers a higher likelihood of winning.
Tips
Players like Xander Schauffele or Patrick Cantlay are often in the mix but do not always win tournaments. They are ideal candidates for top 5 or top 10 bets.
Sometimes, players with high odds who are not expected to win can sneak into the top 20, offering a good return on relatively low-risk bets.
Head-to-Head Bets
Head-to-head betting allows you to wager on which of two players will have a better score in a round or over the entire tournament. This type of bet is easier than predicting an outright winner because you’re only betting on a direct comparison between two players.
Tips
Choose players who are steady and less prone to extreme swings in performance. Look at their recent round-by-round scores for consistency.
Certain players perform better on different types of courses (e.g., links, desert, or parkland). Match players’ strengths to the course style when making head-to-head picks.
Round Leader Bets
Round leader bets involve predicting which player will be in the lead after a particular round (often the first). Since this bet focuses on a single round instead of the whole tournament, it can be less risky. Some players are known for starting tournaments strong but failing to maintain their momentum.
Tips
Some golfers, like Cameron Smith or Brooks Koepka, tend to start fast and can be good choices for early-round leader bets. Early tee times might offer players an advantage, especially if wind or rain is forecast for later in the day. Keep an eye on the weather, as it can play a huge role in golf.
Live (In-Play) Betting
Live betting allows you to place wagers during the event. This is a great option for golf since momentum shifts frequently over the four-day tournaments. You can bet on outright winners, head-to-head matchups, or even how a player will perform on a specific hole.
Tips
Pay attention to players who are building momentum during a round.
Golfers who are putting well and hitting greens in regulation are often strong in-play bets. Golfers can lose or gain confidence quickly. If a player starts making birdies, they might be worth backing in-play, while those making mistakes could spiral downward.
Prop Bets
Prop bets (proposition bets) are fun and can involve a variety of outcomes. Examples include betting on whether there will be a hole-in-one during a tournament, the winning margin, or the nationality of the tournament winner.
Tips
For prop bets like whether there will be a hole-in-one, look at the course layout. Courses with shorter par-3s increase the likelihood of aces.
If you find a prop market you enjoy and understand well, such as margin of victory, focus on that. Some tournaments tend to have closer finishes than others.
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