Golf offers exciting betting opportunities year-round, and with expert guidance, you can navigate the world of golf wagering successfully. This guide covers everything from understanding the legal landscape to exploring different bet types and strategies.
Where is Golf Betting Legal?
In the United States, the legality of sports betting, including golf, is determined by individual states. The Supreme Court’s overturning of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in 2018 paved the way for states to legalize and regulate sports betting.
As of today, the following states have legal and regulated sports betting industries where you can wager on golf:
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- Washington DC
- West Virginia
Choosing the Best Online Golf Betting Sites and Mobile Apps
With numerous betting websites and mobile apps available, finding the right one is crucial. Here’s what to consider:
- Odds Comparison: Odds can vary between sportsbooks, so compare them to find the best prices.
- Promotions and Bonuses: Look for sportsbooks offering parlay insurance, odds boosts, and other promotions.
- Variety of Bets: Some sites offer unique golf props not available elsewhere.
How to Place a Golf Bet
Successful golf betting involves a strategic approach:
- Research: Leverage expert analysis of players, tournaments, and statistics.
- Choose a Sportsbook: Select a site or app that offers the best odds and markets for your desired bet.
- Place Your Bet: Navigate to the golf section, find your desired market, add your selection to the bet slip, and confirm your wager.
Exploring Different Ways to Bet on Golf
Golf provides diverse betting options due to the multitude of tournaments across various tours. Here are some popular golf bets:
Futures or Outright Tournament Winner
Bet on a golfer to win a tournament outright. This bet is typically placed before the tournament begins, but in-play options may also be available. Only a victory cashes this type of bet.
Each Way Betting
An each-way bet offers a slightly safer approach. Half of your stake goes towards the golfer winning the tournament, while the other half goes towards them finishing in a specified position (e.g., top 5). If the golfer wins, both bets pay out. If they finish within the specified range, only the place portion of the bet wins. Crucially, shop around for the number of places paid by different sportsbooks.
Top-5, Top-10, or Top-20 Finish
Bet on a golfer to finish within the top 5, 10, or 20. These bets offer shorter odds but a higher probability of winning.
To Make The Cut
Wager on whether a golfer will make the cut, which is the midway point in a tournament where the top players advance to the weekend rounds.
Round Matchups – 2-Ball or 3-Ball Pairings
Bet on a golfer to beat their opponent(s) in a single round. In 2-ball matchups, the golfer must simply outscore their opponent. In 3-ball matchups, they must have the best score out of the three.
First Round Leader
Bet on which golfer will have the lowest score after the first round of a tournament.
Nationality Bets
Wager on which golfer from a specific country will finish highest in a tournament.
Ryder Cup Betting
The Ryder Cup, a team competition between Europe and the the United States, offers various betting markets, including futures, head-to-head matchups, and total matches won by a player.
Understanding the Different Golf Tours
- PGA Tour: Primarily held in the United States, featuring major events like the PGA Championship, the Players Championship, and the Tour Championship.
- LPGA Tour: The women’s counterpart to the PGA Tour, with five major championships each year.
- DP World Tour: Formerly the European Tour, featuring many of Europe’s top golfers and sanctioning the British Open.
- LIV Tour: A newer tour featuring 54-hole tournaments and attracting players from the PGA and DP World Tours. Note that LIV players are currently banned from the PGA and DP World Tours, and LIV events do not offer ranking points.
- Korn Ferry Tour: A developmental tour for golfers seeking to earn PGA Tour cards.
- Champions Tour: A tour for golfers aged 50 and older.
Five Ways to Bet Better on Golf
- Look for Value: Underdogs often provide better value than big-name players with short odds.
- Pay Attention to the Course: Consider how well a golfer’s skillset matches a particular course.
- Current Form is Crucial: Focus on golfers who are playing well and feeling confident. Recent top 25 finishes are a good sign.
- Utilize Strokes-Gained Statistics: Analyze a player’s performance in different aspects of the game, such as off the tee, approaching the green, around the green, and putting.
- Explore Supplementary Markets: Don’t limit yourself to outright winner bets. Explore the wide range of pre-tournament and in-game betting markets.
Golf Betting Strategies
Basic Strategy
- Establish a bankroll and determine your risk tolerance.
- Familiarize yourself with the sport, players, and latest news.
Intermediate Strategy
- Identify your niche and focus on the players, tournaments, or markets where you have an edge.
- Shop around for the best odds and unique prop bets.
Advanced Strategy
- Keep a detailed log of your bets to track your performance and identify your strengths and weaknesses.
- Watch as much golf as possible to develop your own instincts.
Things to Avoid When Betting On Golf
- Don’t be swayed by big names: Just because a player is famous doesn’t mean they’re a good bet.
- Don’t ignore the course: Course characteristics can significantly impact a golfer’s performance.
- Don’t give up after a losing streak: Golf betting can be volatile, so stay patient and disciplined.
By following this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the exciting world of golf betting. Remember to research, strategize, and bet responsibly.
