From betting advice and popular betting types to common mistakes to avoid, our in-depth guide offers all the information you need to help you learn about golf betting.
Golf is one of the most popular sports around the globe, with millions of viewers tuning in to watch their favourite players do battle on the course. With a wide range of markets and tournaments to follow, there are plenty of ways to get involved with the action from home.
This guide will explain all you need to know before placing your first golfing bet, from understanding the odds of your bet, to learning where to bet on golf. We’ll also cover some common betting mistakes that you can avoid in your play. So, read on to become a golf betting expert!
How golf betting works
The goal of golf betting is to place wagers on various events and outcomes during a tournament, with winnings paid out if your predictions are correct. Each outcome is assigned its own ‘odds’, which show how likely the bookmakers think it is to occur. Less likely outcomes can provide larger returns, but they come with additional risk.
How to understand golf betting odds
You can often see golf betting odds in a fractional format. This means that each bet is assigned a fraction, showing how likely your bet is to come in and how much money you’ll earn from a correct prediction.
For example, let’s say that Rory McIlroy has been given odds of 6/1 to win at the US Masters. The number on the right of the fraction represents your stake – the money that you wager on a bet. The number on the left of the fraction is how much of that stake you would earn back. In this case, a correct bet would return seven times more than your original stake.
That means that a £1 bet on Rory McIlroy would earn you £6 if he wins the tournament (plus your original stake back). Similarly, a £10 bet would earn you £60, and so on. For more details on reading these odds, our ‘Fractional odds explained’ guide has all you need to understand your betting chances.
Golf betting advice
Nobody can predict the future, so there’s no guarantee that your golf bet will be successful, but you can take steps to improve your play. Be sure to conduct thorough research by examining the players competing in your chosen golf tournament, or take the time to learn about the course being played on. This info can help influence your betting decisions as the competition progresses.
Understanding the format of the tournament is also essential for maximising your chances of winning. Some golf tournaments vary slightly in their rules, such as those on the LIV Golf tour, so ensuring familiarity with how it’s played will help you keep up with the action.
Common mistakes when betting on golf
Here are some of the most common pitfalls you can avoid when placing your golf bets:
Betting with your heart, not your head: It’s easy to let your personal opinion of a player influence your betting decisions, but staying objective will help you maximise your winning potential. If your favourite player is underperforming or is poorly suited to the course, you may want to reconsider your bet choice.
Limiting your bet types: New bettors might be scared off by more complex types of bets, but it’s important to familiarise yourself with your options and choose the best one for your preferences. Multiple bets can are an option, while in-play betting will help you react to major events during the tournament.
Chasing losses: When you lose a bet, you may be tempted to place a new one to earn your money back. While there is a chance that you’ll break even, further failed bets will lose you even more money, and could potentially set you on a losing streak. Remember to stay sensible about your betting choices and take a break if you’re no longer having fun.
Popular types of golf betting
The best way to bet on golf depends on your personal preferences and your areas of expertise in the sport. With a variety of betting markets available, you’ll be able to find your ideal way to play from home. Here are some of our most popular betting markets in golf:
Outright winner: Think you can predict the overall winner of a golf tournament? The ‘Outright winner’ betting market pays out if your chosen golfer takes home the top prize at the end of a competition, making it a popular choice for fans rooting for their favourites.
Head-to-head: A head-to-head bet pairs two golfers together, allowing fans to place a wager on which athlete they think will perform better out of the two.
Prop bets: Prop bets are unrelated to the overall final result of a golfing fixture and instead focus on specific events that occur during the course of a competition. These could be on a player securing a top 5 finish, whether they’ll finish over or under par, who will have the longest drive, and more.
Futures betting: Futures bets are placed before a game takes place. These can often yield higher returns, as the odds of specific bets could change during play. However, if a major incident or upset occurs that affects your chances of winning, you may not be able to react accordingly.
Live betting: The opposite of futures betting, live, or ‘in-play’ betting is when you place your wager once play has already started. This means you can place bets on the fly as odds begin to shift, allowing you to account for unforeseen circumstances, such as injuries.
What is an each-way bet in golf?
An each-way bet splits your bet into two: one to win and one to place. For example, if you place an each-way bet on Rory McIlroy at the US Masters, you’ll earn money if he wins the tournament, but also if he earns a top-5 finish (for example).
Each-way betting provides an insurance if you’re unsure about your chances of winning, and allows for more flexible play. If you’re confident that a player will perform well, but not sure that they’ll win, consider placing an each-way bet.
Similar to golf betting
Looking to get involved in some golfing action? We offer coverage of the sport’s biggest competitions, including the world’s biggest tournaments: from the US Masters and US Open to the Ryder Cup and the Open Championship.
What is the best way to bet on golf?
If you’re looking to place a bet on golf, Betway offers competitive odds on a variety of markets, with handy tools to help you control your play. Simply log in or register a new account, and find your chosen tournament in our sportsbook.
Then, find your ideal market and enter a stake. Our handy betslip will show you your potential earnings. When you’re happy, click ‘Place bet’ and wait for the results!
Where to bet on golf markets
You can find all the most popular golf betting markets here at Betway, or stay up to date with the latest golfing action using the our Sports app. Download it from the Play Store or App Store today and enjoy live betting and real-time updates from anywhere in the world!
Further reading if you’re interested in betting on golf
Our Betway Insider blog has all you need to learn more about betting on golf; from top betting picks to guides on golfing history, you’ll become an expert on the sport in no time. For instance, read about the oldest players in Ryder Cup history, or learn about one of golf’s biggest events with our FedEx Cup guide.
