Beginner's Guide to Golf Betting

Golf may seem calm compared to high-speed sports, but when it comes to betting, it’s one of the most dynamic and strategic games around. With tournaments running for days and dozens of players in contention, golf offers a wide range of betting markets and opportunities for value. This guide will help you understand how golf betting works, explain the most popular markets, walk through realistic examples, and share tips to help you get started with confidence.

1. How Golf Works

Most professional golf tournaments are stroke play events spread across four days and 72 holes. Each player competes individually, aiming to complete all holes in the fewest number of strokes. At the end of the event, the golfer with the lowest cumulative score wins.

Golf betting typically revolves around large tournaments like The Masters, The Open Championship, PGA Championship, and weekly PGA or DP World Tour events. The sheer number of players in the field means odds can be quite generous compared to team sports.

2. Key Golf Betting Markets

Let’s look at the most beginner-friendly markets you’ll find in golf betting.

1. Tournament Winner
You’re picking who will win the entire tournament. Since fields often include over 100 players, the odds are usually high.
Example:

Rory McIlroy: 12.00
Scottie Scheffler: 10.00
Jon Rahm: 14.00

A €10 bet on McIlroy would return €120 if he wins.

2. Each Way Betting
A popular way to back a player to finish well, even if they don’t win. You split your bet into two parts:

One for the player to win
One for the player to place (often top 5 or top 8)

If you place €10 each way on Scheffler at 10.00 (win) and 1/5 odds for top 5 (2.00), you’re betting €20 total.
If he finishes 3rd, the place part pays: €10 x 2.00 = €20 payout (win part loses).

3. Top 5 / Top 10 / Top 20 Finish
Bet on a player to finish within a specific range. Safer than betting on the winner.
Example:

Justin Thomas Top 10: 3.25
Shane Lowry Top 20: 2.20

4. Head-to-Head Matchups
Two golfers are paired by the bookmaker. You bet on which one finishes higher in the tournament.
Example:

Morikawa: 1.80
Zalatoris: 1.90

A €20 bet on Morikawa returns €36 if he beats Zalatoris over four rounds.

5. Round Leader
Bet on who will be leading after a particular round. High risk, often higher reward.

6. To Make or Miss the Cut
After the first two rounds, players must be above a certain score to “make the cut” and continue playing.
Example:

Viktor Hovland to make the cut: 1.55
Viktor Hovland to miss the cut: 2.40

7. Hole-in-One
Betting on whether any player will make a hole-in-one during the tournament.

3. Example: Realistic Golf Bet

Tournament: The Open Championship
You bet €20 each way on Tyrrell Hatton at 34.00 to win, with 1/5 odds for a top 5 finish.

If Hatton finishes 2nd:

Win part loses
Place part pays: €20 x (34.00 / 5) = €136
Total return: €136 from €40 stake

Bet On Golf

4. 7 Tips for Betting on Golf

1. Consider recent form
Golfers go through hot and cold streaks. Look at results from the last five events to spot trends.

2. Study course history
Some players perform consistently well at specific courses. Others struggle with certain layouts.

3. Understand weather impact
Wind, rain, and temperature affect play significantly. Check tee times and forecasts.

4. Use each way bets to reduce risk
With so many players, betting outright is tough. Each way betting gives you a better chance of seeing a return.

5. Monitor odds movement
Odds shift based on early betting patterns and news. Watch for good value early in the week.

6. Follow tee-time waves
In two-tee starts, the morning and afternoon conditions may differ. Players starting in favorable waves can gain an edge.

7. Stick to a strategy
Avoid backing too many players. Create a betting plan and review it after each tournament.

5. Conclusion

Golf betting is full of opportunities for smart, informed punters. With fewer variables than team sports and deeper odds value, golf rewards those who do their research. Start by backing players in form, use each way markets to your advantage, and enjoy watching your selections compete over four days of skill and precision.