Golf is undoubtedly one of the most respected sports in the world. The game requires key hand-eye coordination and immense focus to perfect while at the same time acting as a fun getaway for friends on the weekend.
Millions of golf fans tune in to watch one of the many golf tournaments organized by the US PGA each year. The game attracts hundreds of thousands in bets for each tournament, as fans are on the edge of their seats in anticipation of a close matchup.
As the sport gains popularity, various bettors from all over the world are looking to start placing wagers on their favorite players. If you’re new to golf betting or have an interest in it, then this guide will help you get started. We’ll break down some of the most popular types of bets and give you some great tips. Let’s get started.
What Are PGA Outright And Futures Bets?
Outright and futures betting are both popular ways to bet on golf tournaments. Like with other sports, these bets pick an individual player to win a particular event.
Unlike futures, outright and futures betting do not have to wait for the playoffs or even an entire season to cash out. For some of the biggest events in golf, such as the Masters and US Open, you can place your bet several days in advance.
For example, the futures odds at FanDuel Sportsbook have shown that Rory McIlroy is the favorite at +600 at the 2022 Masters. The golf futures odds are similar to the NBA and NFL futures. A $10 bet on Rory will net you $60 if he wins his first green jacket. A similar bet on Dustin Johnson would bring in $160.
Tips For Betting On Golf Outrights & Futures
Before making your picks, take a look at these tips to make sure that you’re getting the best possible outcome.
Like any other form of sports betting, golf odds can vary depending on which site offers the best selection. If you’re a long-term gambler, it’s important to shop around and find the best golf odds available.
Timing Is Everything
Like any other professional sports bettor, you need to try and time your bets to make sure they’re profitable. Some people tend to place their bets early, while others wait for the public money to come in.
This skill is an acquired one, and though it won’t always be perfect, it will help you get a better sense of how the game will play out. Follow helpful social media accounts and listen to sports betting podcasts to get a better sense of the gamblers’ interests.
If you’re targeting a certain golfer, show patience as prices can change depending on how much money is being bet on the week. In other cases, golfers can fluctuate wildly over the course of a few days.
Embrace The Variance
Unlike other sports, golf is played with a lot of variances. It’s a game where the winner is decided by a combination of factors, such as luck and advantageous weather.
But that doesn’t mean that you can’t find an edge. Sports bettors who embrace the uncertainty of the game are more successful than those who are afraid to take chances.
Avoid The Chalk
One way to avoid the chalk is by targeting high-profile players. Public money tends to favor those with good course history during high-profile events.
Despite their popularity, casual bettors are rarely able to find value in Tiger Woods or other big-name players. Look at the world’s top-ranked golfer, Rory McIlroy. He went winless in the four major championships in 2013.
He would eventually regain his place at the top of the golf rankings in 2014. However, his form dropped off significantly in 2017 and 2018. He only managed to win twice during that period.
Likewise, Dustin Johnson, who used to be the world’s No. 1 player, has only raised one trophy out of 24 events during the 2019 golf season. This has been a disappointing year for Johnson’s bettors.
Identify The Next Big Thing Before The Data Does
Even though many people think that they wouldn’t be profitable betting on favorites like Johson and McIlroy, they are favorites due to their combined professional wins.
In 2009, Johnson won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am with 50/1 odds. After winning the event in 2010, golf oddsmakers started showing more respect for him.
The main issue with golf betting is that it’s not about who is the best player in the world. It’s about being able to identify the best players in the world before predicting them.
Research
Knowing when to hold your cards and when to fold them is an important step in golf betting. It’s also important to keep track of the top amateur players in the world and those who are planning on becoming professionals.
In 2019, 14 first-time winners were recorded on the Tour. In 2020, six more first-time winners were added. During that period, only four of the 68 tournaments featured at least one first-time winner.
Identifying Golfers On The Rise
Most of the golfers featured in this list were successful as amateurs. Some took years to get used to the Tour life and competition.
Some are noteworthy due to their young age and impressive amateur achievements. Among them are Viktor Hovland and Matthew Wolff, who were teammates at Oklahoma State.
Matthew Wolff and Viktor Hovland are two former teammates at Oklahoma State University and were both among the top-ranked amateur players in the country when they were younger.
After winning the 2018 Phil Mickelson Award as the top college golfer, Wolff became the top college player in 2019. In the following year, Viktor became the amateur champion at the 2019 Masters.
Since they were both highly skilled amateurs, it was clear that these two players would have been highly regarded as top prospects in the future. However, due to the lack of air time, their name recognition didn’t compare to other sports’ top prospects.
Professional Debuts
Even though they didn’t make it to the 2019 Travelers Championship, both of them had long odds at that event. As a long-time gambler, I was prepared to bet on them until their odds became too short to justify their performance.
After cutting the event, Hovland shot a T13 the following week. His performance caught the attention of the market.
After struggling early in the tournament, Wolff’s chances of winning the 3M Open significantly decreased. Fortunately, I didn’t put much stock in his early failures.
Two other professional players with similar comps are Jon Rahm and Bryson Dechambeau. Like them, both of them won within the first couple of years after turning professional.
Betting On The First-Round Leader
The concept of betting on the first-round leader is similar to an outright wager. It’s only the winner that’s determined after the first round.
The smaller sample size of a tournament makes it possible to identify more potential winners. For me, this strategy works as it allows me to target long-shot players who are considered bombers off the tee.
Make sure to look at the weather forecast before making a bet on the first-round leader.
Additional Outright Golf Betting Tips
Aside from honing their skills, gamblers also need to consider the course history of their chosen players. Having a good record can also create value for those who have played poorly in the past.
A cold or hot putter can disguise a player’s swing and make him look like he’s playing poorly. Instead, use a good putting stroke and find opportunities to bet on players who have had poor putting performances.
The volatility of golf betting can make it difficult for gamblers to win. Even if they’re doing well, they can still lose streaks.
A good weekly strategy involves filling out a few golf betting cards with a couple of players. Bankroll management is a more conservative approach to managing your bankroll.
Instead of having a single unit, divide the units among the players. This strategy allows you to set a number that you’re comfortable with.
What Are Golf Matchups, Props, Each-Way Bets?
Although outright golf betting is popular, it’s not for the faint of heart. Instead, try using other strategies such as props and each-way bets.
On the other hand, matchups bets involve setting the Moneyline between two players during a given tournament or round. Many online sportsbooks release tournament and round-by-round matchups for various tournaments. The winner is determined after the final round.
Some sportsbooks also allow gamblers to bet on a spread between two players.
Beware Of Multiway Markets
Due to the emergence of multiway markets, golf bettors should be careful when placing their money on these types of markets. If a tie occurs, it’s a win for the sportsbook if the gamblers place their money on one of the two players.
Golf Props
Although prop betting is not as popular as football or basketball, it can still be used for predicting which player will hit a hole-in-one during a tournament. During major tournaments, sportsbooks will expand their prop menus to include more interesting options. These include the low amateur and the top golfer from any country.
Each-Way Bets (E/W)
Each-way bets allow gamblers to decrease their risk by placing a portion of their bet on the winner and a portion on the player finishing inside a certain place.
Each-way betting is also a safer option for gamblers since it can protect them from a potential bad beat. For instance, if you’re a smart individual who likes to play with a large pool, placing a $100 bet on Matthew Fitzpatrick would net you a $5000% return.
The downside of an each-way bet is that it can reduce your chances of winning if the player you bet on actually wins.
Betting Highlights Of The PGA Tour Season
Although most of the attention is focused on major events such as the Masters and the US Open, golf can be a year-round activity.
The PGA Tour has around 50 events annually. During a normal season, players worldwide travel to compete at some of the most beautiful and challenging courses in the world.
Find The Best Golf Betting Sites On Betting Sites Ranking
Watching a game of golf can be one of the most exciting things for passionate fans, and betting on it only adds to the fun. If you’re looking to place your first golf bet this year, there are a few things you should know before getting started.
Betting online has taken over traditional betting shops and casinos as a more convenient and lucrative mode of placing bets. Not only is it more convenient, but it’s also instant, safer, and often has higher winnings. Many digital betting sites also provide a more diverse range of payment methods.
However, no two online betting sites are the same, and it’s important to find one that is licensed, verified, and provides a solid return. Just like betting tipsters and predictions, site aggregators provide bettors with sportsbooks that suit your needs best.
One thing’s for certain, and it doesn’t matter what sport you’re betting on if you do your research and pick your favorites based on statistics rather than just a hunch. Follow this principle, and you’ll likely win more than you’ll lose. If you’re looking to start betting on Tennis, you need a website that provides you with all the benefits.
Betting on golf can add excitement to the sport you love so much. But not all sportsbooks are the same and if you’re looking for the best website to bet your money, Betting Sites Ranking provides a list of Golf betting websites for various countries in different parts of the world. We use our expertise to determine which top betting websites are worth your time.
We review, compare, and rank the best online betting sites from over 100 countries and list the top sites in the world for every country.
You can find the best basketball, football, cricket, hockey betting sites in the world through Betting Sites Ranking. Check out our local betting sites today to see how we guide bettors to a safer gambling ecosystem.
