Golf has come a long way from its humble beginnings in 15th-century Scotland. There are over 38,000 golf courses today, and 16,752 in the US alone. And while golf has its fans who like to watch, betting is an area of golf that’s commanding increasing interest. Fans want to bet on golf because it’s unlike any other form of betting. And with the Masters around the corner, this is the perfect time to learn the basics of golf betting. Here’s what you should know.
How is golf played?
The first step to understanding golf betting is learning how the game is played. Before you place your first golf bet, you want to be familiar with what constitutes a loss or win in the game you’re betting on. Golf is played in rounds. On a typical golf course, a round comprises 18 holes, although some courses have only nine holes. You play each hole once and in the order determined by the golf course. To play a hole, you:
- Strike the golf ball on the teeing ground with a club to put it into play
- When the ball rests, strike it again until it reaches the green
- When the ball reaches the green, putt it to sink it in the hole
The goal of golf is to get the ball into the hole (sink it) in as few strikes as possible.
What bets can you place on golf?
Golf is an individual game, which means its betting markets differ slightly from two-team or two-person games. When betting on golf, some wagers you can make include:
- Winner – This is a moneyline bet on who you think will win a golf game or tournament
- Each-way bet – Instead of only betting on your favorite player to win, you can also bet for them to finish in the top 5, top 10, etc. This combination is called an each-way bet.
- Head-to-head – When many players are on a course, you can bet between two players of your choice. A H2H is a matchup bet on one player to finish a round or tournament ahead of another player. It does not have a specific position.
- Prop bet – This is a bet on different occurrences within a game. You can bet on whether a game will include a hole-in-one, whether all players will finish the round, etc.
There are many other ways to bet on golf. For instance, you can bet on who finishes the first round first or what position a player finishes (place match).
How do you place a sports bet?
The trick to golf betting, especially for beginners, is to start small. Create a betting account with a reliable sportsbook like Betway and use your bonuses to try a few simple bets. Start with moneyline wagers on the outright winner of a round or tournament. This is the most straightforward and easy-to-place bet in golf.
When placing your bets, consider factors like player form, course history, and weather to make informed choices. Most sportsbooks will also give you stats you can use to plan your bets.
Lastly, get familiar with the game by watching as many tournaments as you can. The Masters and PGA Tour are great places to start.
Wrapping up
It’s as easy as that. When you’re new to betting on a game, the best way to start is just to start. Pick the easiest bet to place and place it. Use the stats your oddsmaker offers and watch as many games as possible to get a feel of golf. Most importantly, partner up with a reliable sportsbook like Betway to enjoy perks such as free tips, strategies, guides, and bonuses.
