Today, online betting platforms are worth billions. With one click or tap, punters have instant access to the top betting markets like the NFL, MLB, and dozens of International soccer leagues. However, golf is one of the fastest-growing betting markets. There is more coverage than you might think of betting on golf, which is the subject of this article.
The Main Golf Bets
The top betting platforms like Bettingtop10 cover the major ATP tournaments like The Masters and other prominent regional golf events. While some sites differ, these are the top golf coverage bets:
| Outright Winner | Works like most moneyline bets with the latest odds |
| Parlay Bets | Can build 3 or more leg bets for potential wins |
| Place Bets | Wager on where the golfer finishes |
| Matchup Bets | A dynamic bet on a pair of golfers |
The Outright Winner Bets
The outright winner is the most common bet to make with golf. Like the moneyline bet for other spots, you fill the bet slip on the golfer you believe will win the whole tournament. The top betting platforms frequently update these odds to keep you up to date with the latest.
Most punters bet on the outright winner before the tournament begins, a type of bet known as a future bet. However, some platforms might allow their members to adjust their bets as the golf tournament progresses and the odds change.
Typically, odds for each tournament’s outright winner will open a few days before the tournament kicks off. As a golfer’s chances of winning the tournament become clearer as the tournament goes on, outright winner odds will be released earlier for major tournaments like the Masters. The challenge is choosing which golfer to flip the slip. The betting platforms can list over 100 players in the tournament with their own updated odds.
Parlay Bets
Parlays have grown immensely in popularity thanks to betting bonuses on same-game parlays. The golf parlay bets work on a similar premise. Group together three or more individual bets for a chance at bigger payouts. The odds of winning become much longer because all bets in the parlay must win for the entire parlay to pay out even a penny, so the potential reward is much greater.
Most golf parlays are three- to five-leg parlays. However, some sites go even further. You can usually add player props, such as a player finishing with an eagle or a birdie, during the playing round.
Place Bets
If you can’t settle on the outright winner, place bets are the next best thing. Place bets are wagers on a golfer to finish in a group of spots; hence the name “place bets.” While the odds aren’t updated as much and the payouts are less compared to the outright winner, place bets are safe bets, especially for beginners.
In the event of a tie, your place bet might not be paid in full. This is one of the drawbacks of going down this road.
Matchup Bets
Matchup bets are unique golf bets because they are not based on the outright winner. Instead, matchup bets pit two golfers against each other. The best way to describe it is how two players’ stats fare after playing some rounds or the entire tournament. The player with the better score wins the matchup bet.
Live Bets
In recent years, golf tournaments like the PGA Tour have become so popular that they are frequently live-streamed. Stroke for stroke, follow the top players live with a chance to update your bet slip accordingly.
Understanding the Different Odds
Because golf has blossomed into a major International sport, like most sportsbooks, players have the option of updating the odds to meet their preferences. The top betting platforms allow players to adjust to these different odds:
| American odds | Displayed as a plus for the underdog, and a minus for the likely winner. American odds are based on a $100 wager. |
| Fractional odds | Display as fractions. Multiply your bet by the fraction to determine your profit from the original bet. |
| Decimal odds | These odds are a mixed number with decimals, for example 1.75. Multiply this decimal number by $100 to find your winning bet amount. |
The Art of the Bet
Unless you have a crystal ball, you can’t bet with 100% certainty on winning bets. However, not doing any research and betting blindly will lead to disastrous results more often than not. Successful golf bettors do research, including a player’s tournament history, to make the most informed bets.
Conclusion
With the right research and a shrewd approach, golf punters can make the most out of the major PGA Tournaments. In addition to doing research on the player, understanding the conditions of the field plays a mighty role in filling out the bet slip. The key to making smart bets in golf betting markets is to have an in-depth understanding of the markets available and how to wager effectively on golf.
No matter the bet you choose, please do so responsibly. The top platforms have responsible gaming measures to help you stay on the green with your golf bets.