Golf is one of the world’s most prominent sports and millions of spectators travel the globe to watch the best in the business compete for the major prizes on offer. Not only is the sport popular to spectate, but it is also entrenched in the online betting industry with numerous markets available for wagering.
It’s easy enough to take a stab at which golfer will emerge with the victory, but there are nuances to golf betting markets that require a sound strategy. We’ll now break down all you need to know about the world of wagering on golf.
Picking the Right Betting Provider
Before you can place a wager, you will need to find a betting operator. This is perhaps the most important aspect of betting online. You want to make sure you will have access to all of the leading golf betting markets. There are a lot of options available, so you do not want to be caught short if you choose the wrong betting site that does not provide comprehensive coverage.
The betting operator must also offer the premium odds across their markets. Bookmakers will vary in their prices; therefore, you will want to target the betting site that offers their customers the best value for betting on golf.
There are quality golf betting sites available that provide all of these attributes, as well as special features and bonuses for joining their product and wagering on a regular basis. These bookmakers will ensure that you have all of the top golfing markets at the tips of your fingers and that you receive value for money when betting on the sport.
Golf Betting Markets
The first and obvious bet for wagering on golf is the outright market. This market allows you to bet on the player, or team in the case of the Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup, that will win the event. You simply enter your stake on the player or team that you believe will win, and, if that player or team triumphs, you will receive a payout from the bookmaker.
Golf allows you to place each-way bets on tournaments. This is where the betting site will set a parameter, usually the top five or ten, and, if your selection finishes within those boundaries, you will receive a payout of the 1/5 of the outright odds. It does require you to split your stake, and will be quite clearly marked by the betting site or app for you to select. This wager is a solid option for competitions with large fields stacked with quality players.
The best golf betting sites will offer a diverse range of markets. You should also be able to bet on the leader of the first, second, and third rounds of respective tournaments. Wagers on players to miss the cut will also be available. These bookmakers will also break down markets into specific playing groups and players, where you will be able to wager on aspects of the round such as the lowest score, number of birdies, and holes in one.
Major Golf Events
Fans of the sport need no introduction to the four majors. The Masters is arguably the most significant of the four due to the history and prestige of the event at Augusta. The Green Jacket is one of the most sought-after prizes in the sport. The tournament itself is four days of pure drama, which can make-or-break careers. Even the best golfers have been tormented by Augusta, none more so than Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy, who both endured final rounds to forget at past tournaments. It makes it a thrilling event to watch, although, if you’re betting on a player, you will be watching through your fingers when they reach the 12th hole.
The Open, US Open, and PGA Championship can provide equal intrigue, but don’t quite have the magic of The Masters. The Ryder Cup is the only event that can challenge The Masters for golf’s signature contest. The competition brings a different atmosphere to the course when the USA and Europe battle for three days. In terms of sheer theatre, there’s no event like it. It has brought out the best in players from both teams, scaling heights that they’ve not accomplished on an individual level.
Betting Tips
There are no guarantees in golf, but there are ways to ensure that you can make a steady profit. Before placing a wager, it is always a good idea to consult the form guide. A player might be in terrific form and have decent priced odds to win a tournament, therefore, it would be a worthwhile idea to take a plunge on a bet. On the other hand, you might be basing your betting assumptions on past performance and notoriety.
Players like McIlroy and Spieth are notable in the game, but have not enjoyed success at the majors as of late. You do not want to fall into a trap of picking a golfer because you’re familiar with their name. Study up on the players and the tournaments themselves, particularly the courses involved. A venue may play into the hands of a particular player over another in the competition. There are nuances to the game that can be spotted from afar and that can give you an edge in your bid to beat the bookies.
Never be afraid to do detailed research before committing your funds on a wager.