Gambling on the Greens: Golf Betting Guide

Since the first player placed his ball on the tee, golf and betting have gone hand in hand. In the pre-WWII era, gambling legends such as Titanic Thompson made fortunes in private matchups against millionaires, whilst future major stars Lee Trevino and Raymond Floyd found their feet in the game in high-stakes clashes.

Fast forward to the 21st century, and gambling on golf has never been bigger, with the sport sitting behind only football and horse racing in terms of UK betting turnover. Featuring huge fields and nail-biting tension, one of the most appealing aspects of punting on golf is the realistic prospect of backing a big-priced winner. In comparison to other individual sports such as Tennis – where 50/1+ winners are incredibly hard to find – in golf, such “shock” results occur with far greater frequency – the 21st century alone seeing two 750/1 winners of the Open.

With at least one big tournament almost every week and tournaments lasting for four days, adding golf to your betting portfolio is an excellent way to inject a little small stakes/big win excitement into your sports betting life. Here, we present a beginner’s guide to betting on a game which has been with us since the 15th Century.

Golf Tours to Bet On

For decades, the PGA Tour and European Tours dominated the golfing landscape, but in recent years, a new player has emerged in the shape of the controversial LIV Golf. Elsewhere, a raft of tours operate just below the top level, ensuring a steady stream of entertainment throughout the year.

• PGA TourViewed as the pinnacle of the golfing world, the PGA Tour oversees the majority of the top-level tournaments in the United States and North America. PGA Tour highlights include The Players Championship, The Honda Classic, and the Arnold Palmer Invitational
• European Tour (DP World Tour)Rebranded as the DP World Tour in 2022, the former “European” title was a little misleading as the tour also includes top-level events in Asia, Africa, and he Middle East
• LIV GolfLaunched in 2022 and backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, the astronomical prize money on offer has attracted many top professionals to LIV Golf. LIV Golf tournaments play out over 54 holes (3 rounds of 18 holes) rather than the traditional 72.
• Korn Ferry TourA notch below the PGA Tour, Korn Ferry events are typically frequented by young up-and-coming players or those who have failed to keep their place on the PGA Tour. A good place to spot a future star
• Challenge TourThe European version of the Korn Ferry Tour. At the end of the season, the top 20 players earn a place on the DP World Tour
• Asian TourThe premier golf tour in the Asian nations - with the exception of Japan, which boasts its own tour

Biggest Golf Tournaments

At the top level of the game, there is no such thing as a small golf tournament, with vast sums on offer on a weekly basis. However, as in all sports, certain events stand tall above the rest. In golf, these four tournaments go under the collective name of The Majors.

• The MastersThe most picturesque major of all takes place at Augusta National in the first week of April. The Masters is the only Major to have a permanent home
• The Open ChampionshipThe oldest golf tournament in the world is held in mid-July at one of a selection of Links courses in the UK; Links meaning a course by the sea with no trees
• U.S. OpenWith $21.5m (2024) in total prize money, this July tournament is the richest of the four majors and takes place at a different premier US course each year
• PGA Championship (USPGA)The only one of the four majors restricted to professionals, the USPGA is scheduled to take place in May – most commonly at a top-class course in the East of the USA
• Ryder CupThe biggest and best team competition of them all sees the USA face off against Europe. The Ryder Cup takes place every other year, with Europe and the USA taking turns as hosts

Types of Golf Bets

Those new to golf may think that betting on the tournament winner is the only bet available. However, there are many other types of wagers, with the following being the most popular with punters:

• Tournament WinnerAs the name implies, this is a bet on a player to win a given tournament. Each-way betting is available, with most firms paying out on at least the top six places
• Top 10 FinishWith fields of 150+ players, a bet on a Top 10 finish offers a higher chance of striking a winning bet
• Make The CutIn 72-hole (four-round) tournaments, only the top half of the field progresses to play the third and fourth days. This wager allows you to predict whether a player will make the final two days or, alternatively, Miss The Cut
• Winning NationalityParticularly popular at the Majors, selecting this option means you have every player from your chosen nation running for you
• Head to HeadsBetting Companies list head-to-head match ups at most tournaments. Simply select which of the two players will fare best at the tournament. The odds for this bet are much shorter than tournament winner odds, but you only need to beat one other player to earn a payout.
• Best Englishman/American/South African etc.With this bet, your selection only needs to beat the other players hailing from the same country.
• Three-BallsOn the PGA Tour and DP World Tour, players set off in groups of three in the opening two rounds. This bet requires you to predict which of the three players will fare best over the 18 holes of the round.
• Tournament Group BettingBetting firms will select groups of five players – usually of broadly similar ability. Your job is to predict which of the five will place the highest at the end of the tournament.

Golf Betting: Key Pointers

So, that’s the tours, biggest events, and most popular betting options, but what should punters be looking for when picking out those golf bets?

As with most betting endeavours, there is no substitute for following the sport closely – a thankfully easy task in the modern era due to the extensive coverage on TV and excellent selection of golf websites - which are a dream for the statistically inclined. That said, the following key factors should put you on the right track towards finding those betting birdies.

• Current FormGolfers are prone to streaks in form. If a player has posted a string of solid results in recent events, you should at least consider that the run will continue. Conversely, backing a player to bounce back from a series of poor performances can be risky
• Course FormOne of the most appealing aspects of golf is the variety of courses on the major tours. Straight flat tracks favour the biggest hitters, whilst trickier courses lend themselves to those who excel with their irons and approach play. If a player has performed well at a specific course (or a very similar layout) in the past, they may do so again
• Remember the WeatherGolf is a hard game at the best of times – all the more so in the midst of a howling wind or driving rain. On the PGA Tour and DP World Tour, staggered start times are used over a spell of around nine hours, with tee times for each player announced ahead of the event. Inclement weather in the first half of the day and clear sailing after lunch? Side with those due to tee off late.
• Injury and FitnessAn essential factor across every sport. Keep abreast of the latest news as, no matter how talented the player, it will invariably take a tournament or two before they reach their peak following an injury
• Keep an eye on the young gunsGolfing careers are amongst the longest of any sport. Over time, the compilers know what they are dealing with when pricing up the established stars. However, up-and-coming players present a tougher challenge. If you spot a youngster who appears to match up well with a specific course, don’t be afraid to back him at long odds
• Time of YearWhether as part of a plan for their season or personal idiosyncrasies, many players thrive at certain times of the year and struggle at others. Looking back through a player's performance from previous years may reveal a profitable pattern

Useful Websites

• New Golf Betting Sites
  
• www.pgatour.com 
• www.europeantour.com
• www.golfstats.com

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