How To Bet on Golf: A Masters Series

• Golf
• Sports Betting

How To Bet On Golf

Back in the day when Tiger Woods was in his prime, you could place a bet on him, and that would be considered among smart golf bets. Whether or not you knew anything about golf, those people were very excited to bet on Woods.

Nowadays, golf has changed dynamically. With a new wave of younger players, betting opportunities are a little more challenging and exciting.

Golf is a timeless classic sport that demands patience and practice. Keeping those two principles in mind is a good start to a good betting mentality. 

Five of the most common tips for betting on golf are:

  1. Selecting the right sportsbook
  2. How to read the odds
  3. Putting together a strategy 
  4. Know your limits
  5. Outside factors 

Select The Right Sportsbook 

The first step for how to bet on golf tournaments is to pick out the right sportsbook. This can be narrowed down to a few options, so this will not be as overwhelming of a task. 

Look at several different sportsbooks and see how they pay. Most are very similar in odds information and their payouts. 

Some have better incentives to join and offer a free first bet. You should at least have two that you like, that way you can compare them whenever you want to make a bet on golf to see which one is the better option. 

Also, a good rule of thumb is to check reviews on a sportsbook you find. This will give you some insight on some feedback from their users. 

How To Read Golf Betting Odds

Reading the odds is one of the easier parts of this process. Say a golfer is projected to win an event, and his PGA golf odds are listed at 12-1. This means that whatever you bet on this golfer, if they win, that bet is multiplied by 12. 

Sometimes you will see moneylines listed instead of the 12-1. This would look like this +1200. This means if you bet on that golfer with $100 and they win, you will receive $1200. 

Putting Together A Strategy 

When it comes to betting on golf, you might hear fellow bettors or friends telling you to bet on the best golfer at the tournament. The best golfer may be very successful over their career, but they do not win every single event. 

When looking at an event, you have to see how the odds are projected for each golfer. Then, you must look at where they are playing. 

You should ask yourself some questions such as: How difficult is the course? Can this particular golfer drive long distances? Do they close distances well with their irons?

All of these questions are basic ones, but give you an idea of how to approach it. Once you narrow it down to a few golfers, then the options are better for you. 

It also does not hurt to bet on a few different golfers. That way, the risk is lessened. 

Know Your Limits 

One of the first things I like to tell people about how to bet on golf and win is the fact they have to have the money to do so. I do not mean coming up with spare change from your car or couch, but can you afford to lose the money?

Setting yourself a limit for losses or gains is a good way to keep a level head and your bank account happy. Only put money into bets that you are comfortable with losing. We are all looking to have fun and make money, but the reality is to do it safely and smartly. 

Outside Factors 

When choosing an event and golfer to bet on, I like to look at the history of the golfer. I want to see if the golfer is recently coming off of a surgery, a divorce, or anything that might alter their play. Life happens, and it can change the way someone performs. 

Another factor would be the weather. If you think you found the right golfer to bet on, take a look at their tee time and the weather for that day. 

If the weather is favorable, then it should be fine. If the weather is windy and rainy, this could affect the performance of that golfer teeing off.

How To Bet On Golf FAQ

Why do the odds keep changing?
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The odds for events are all subject to changes. Do not let this scare you. This means sportsbooks are adjusting their odds based on the public market. They may have a golfer listed at 10-1 but not a lot of bets on that golfer, so they eventually adjust it to 12-1. They also will change higher odds, depending on the number of bets received. For example, if a golfer is projected to win at 25-1 but gets a lot of bets, the sportsbook could change the odds to 20-1 or however they like. The odds are factored in for each golfer but do not worry too much if the odds change on you.
Are there other ways to bet on golf?
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There are other ways you can bet on golf that some people find interesting. These bets are called either competition or proposition bets. This is a gamble on a certain outcome of the tournament or day. For example, a few might be:
  • Will Golfer A will have a first-round score of over/under 70.5?
  • Who will shoot the best score of the day?
  • Who will lead after day one of the event?
These bets are great if you feel confident in your golfing knowledge, and you have done your research on the event.
What are the golf rankings?
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The PGA tour has a ranking called the Official World Golf Rankings. This list has compiled the best golfers in the world, and it changes weekly. Most moves are subtle, as one golfer may fall one spot, and another will move up. This list is another good gauge on how consistent a golfer is over the course of a season. However, do not use it as your sole guide since the best golfer does not win every event. This list tells us that great golfers will be in the top 10 due to their level of play.
Is there anything else I can use to my advantage?
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A few extra golf betting tips that are useful are:
  • The favorite for each event is rarely the one that wins it.
  • Odds placed for a golfer at over 100-1 have rarely won an event outright.
  • Wins are a good measure for success for the career of a golfer but do not fully rely on top 10 finishes. This shows consistent play at the top, but this is one stat to use for your benefit with other stats involved.
  • Up-and-coming rookies that have a hot streak going for them are great, but veterans dominate in majors or big-time events.
  • Diversity in your bets is another great way to manage losses and to have long-term success.