How to Bet on Golf Tournaments: Win on Your Next Bet

 

When it comes to choosing players at a golf tournament, there several different ways to narrow down the field when learning about how to bet on golf tournaments.

Understanding the historical sports betting trends of a particular tournament is the best way to begin.

Consider the Masters field in 2015. There were 98 entrants in the tournament, but there were several features of the course that made picking a winner simpler than it is for many other tournaments.

The length of the course layout poses a particular challenge, and the difficulty of the layout also makes it easier to narrow down the potential winner.

 

How to Bet on Golf Tournaments?
Sports Betting 101: Maximize Your Winnings on Every Tournament!

How to Bet on Sports | MyBookie wants you to be a better gambler with our Sports Betting Guide

   

Learning How to Bet on Golf with MyBookie

You might have heard this before, golf betting has become one of the fastest-growing markets.

You mix in the fact that there golf tournaments happening nearly every week, that’s plenty of times to place wagers on their favorite players.

Golf is an individual sport, so unlike team sports, outcomes are not decided by collective performance.

With that in mind, the sports offers all kinds of betting action that you would not get with your traditional sports.

You start with a large field of golfers that will go from top-ranked favorites to long-shot contenders

This gives you the opportunities for both high-risk and conservative betting strategies.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about betting on golf.

We’ll cover different bet types, group betting rules, and strategies to get that percentage moving in the right direction.

NO matter your level of expertise, refining your approach is a must.

You do that by understanding how to analyze tournaments, players, and course conditions can give you an edge.

With the right knowledge and strategy, golf betting can be both exciting and profitable.

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Introduction to Golf Betting

The wonderful thing about golf is that there are tournaments being played nearly every week of the year.

So it makes sense that sportsbooks are expanding their offerings season after season, just look at our betting page MyBookie.

Like I mentioned before, you get action every week, from the major events like the Masters and US Open to weekly PGA and European Tour events.

Unlike team sports, golf is an individual competition with large fields.

This makes betting on outright winners challenging but also allows for high payouts.

The difference between a top-ranked golfer and someone ranked outside the top 100 isn’t as wide as in other sports, so long shots have a realistic chance to win.

Beyond picking tournament winners, there are finishing positions, matchups, live bets, props, the list goes on.

Understanding these options and applying the right strategy can help bettors maximize their chances of success.

 

How Do Golf Odds Work?

First thing to know about betting on golf is to forget the traditional point spreads like football or basketball.

What we are working with is moneylines for each player or group.

As a general rule, favorites have odds between +600 and +1200, while long shots can be priced at +5000 and even much more depending on the field.

Keep on reading our golf betting guide as the sport goes beyond the just the betting lines. Group betting, weather, course, strategy, plus more…

 

How Do Golf Group Betting Rules Work?

Group betting allows you to wager on a subset of golfers instead of the full field or one golfer to win the tournament.

The formed groups are put together based on world rankings, past performance, or nationality.

You must predict which golfer will finish with the lowest score among the group.

Since these bets involve fewer competitors than the full tournament field, the odds are lower, but the chances of winning are higher.

Group betting rules vary by sportsbook.

Some use stroke play scoring, while others settle ties with dead-heat rules, which reduce payouts in tied situations.

Always check the specific sportsbook’s rules before placing a bet.

 

Why Bettors Like Group Betting: (Considered the Best Way on How to Bet Golf)

• All golfers in the group must start the round or tournament for bets to stand.
• The player with the lowest total strokes among the group at the end wins.
• If two or more players tie within the group, most sportsbooks apply dead heat rules, meaning your payout is split accordingly.

 

Why Bettors Like Group Betting:

• Better odds than head-to-heads.
• Smaller field to analyze than full tournament markets.
• Easier to isolate value plays when grouped with out-of-form players.

 

What is Group Betting in Golf?

The groups are a great way to narrow the field of the tournament when it comes to betting on golf.

On a regular field, we are talking about over 100 players, this allows you to pick on a smaller set, making it easier to predict outcomes.

Some of the most popular group betting formats include:

• Three-Ball Betting:
  A bet on which golfer will post the lowest score in a group of three for a single round.
• Nationality Betting:
  Wagering on the top-finishing golfer from a specific country.
• First-Round Leader:
  Betting on which golfer will lead after the first 18 holes.
• Cut Line Betting:
  Predicting whether a golfer will make or miss the cut after the first two rounds.

Group betting is a strong option for bettors who prefer a smaller risk pool.

Since you’re only betting against a handful of golfers, it’s easier to research past performances and make informed choices.

Example of Group Betting in Golf: N

Let’s say your sportsbook offers the following Group C betting market for the upcoming Masters Tournament:

• Group C:
• Tony Finau (+250)
• Viktor Hovland (+275)
• Max Homa (+300)
• Cameron Young (+325)

Pick the player who finishes with the best score among these four—not in the entire tournament, just within this group.

If you wager on Max Homa at +300, and he shoots the lowest score among the group (even if he finishes 12th overall in the tournament), you win the bet.

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What is a Golf Betting Strategy?

1. Betting on Finishing Positions

Keep this in mind… Instead of putting money on a golfer to win it all, consider placing golf bets on finishing positions.

Markets such as Top 5, Top 10, and Top 20 give a greater chance on how to win money on golf.

So, if you have a golfer with +2000 odds to win outright might have +400 odds to finish in the Top 5.

This provides a safer option while still offering good returns.

 

Example of Finishing Positions:

You bet $50 on Rory McIlroy to finish in the Top 10 at +150 odds.

If Rory ends the tournament in 7th place, your bet wins and returns $125 profit plus your stake.

 

2. Course and Player Analysis

Understanding how a player performs on certain types of courses is key.

Some players do better on longer tracks with wide fairways, while others excel on tighter courses that reward accuracy.

Review past results at the same course or similar layouts to help you place smart golf bets based on proven performance.

Weather and course conditions also matter—players who handle wind or slower greens well may have an edge.

Always check current form too; recent finishes can say more than just stats.

Studying the course layout and comparing it to a golfer’s strengths can help identify good bets.

Depending on the course, some players are long hitters, while others reward accurate iron play.

For example, Augusta National favors players with strong approach play and a history of success at the Masters.

A short, narrow course like Harbour Town rewards precision rather than driving distance.

 

3. Weather Considerations in Golf Betting

Weather plays a huge role in golf betting.

They can benefit experienced ball strikers who are better equipped to handle the challenges of controlling the ball flight.

These conditions often require precise shot-making and the ability to adjust club selections.

Remember to check the forecast before placing any bet, as weather patterns can shift throughout the tournament.

A great way to understand it is if a strong winds are predicted for Friday afternoon, it might be wise to bet on players who have early tee times on Thursday and Friday.

These may avoid the worst conditions and have an advantage over those who play later.

When talking about betting golf tip, this one is key for identifying potential value in your bets and making smarter choices based on the forecasted conditions.

 

4. Avoid Betting Just the Favorites

While top-ranked golfers are often favored to win, golf is unpredictable.

Even the best players only win a handful of tournaments each year.

Betting solely on favorites can lead to poor returns over time.

Instead, look for mid-tier players with strong course history and recent form.

These golfers often provide better betting value while still having a good chance to contend.

 

5. Use Each-Way Betting for Long Shots

Each-way betting allows you to split your bet between a golfer winning outright and finishing in the top positions.

This strategy is useful for long-shot bets.

For example, if a golfer is +5000 to win, an each-way bet could still provide a payout if they finish in the top 5 or 10.

It’s a great way to hedge risk while chasing bigger payouts.

 

6. Capitalize on Live Betting

Live betting is what it says, get action during the game.

It lets you adjust wagers based on how a tournament unfolds.

If a favorite before the start of the tournament struggles early, their sportsbook odds may or will become more favorable.

This gives you a shot to back a proven player at better value if you believe they’ll bounce back over the weekend.

Likewise, if a player starts hot but has a history of fading late in tournaments, bettors can hedge their bets or cash out at a profit.

Live odds shift with every hole, giving you opportunities to react in real time.

You can target specific matchups, bet on round leaders, or jump on a rising longshot who’s gaining momentum.

Live betting keeps you engaged as the tournament unfolds as it’s a big part of golf betting explained, allowing you to react in real time and find value as the odds shift.

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How to Bet on Golf?

Understanding Bet Types

• Outright Winner:
  Betting on a player to win the tournament.
• Each-Way
  Betting: A split bet where half is placed on the golfer to win and half on a Top-5 or Top-10 finish.
• Matchups:
  Betting on one golfer to finish ahead of another in a head-to-head matchup.
• Prop Bets:
  Betting on specific outcomes, such as a hole-in-one or winning margin.
• Futures:
  Long-term bets on major tournament winners or end-of-season rankings.

 

Bankroll Management

Managing your bankroll is crucial for long-term betting success.

A good rule of thumb is to wager only 1-2% of your bankroll per bet.

For example, if your bankroll is $1,000, a single bet should be between $10 and $20.

This prevents large losses and allows for sustained betting.

 

Shopping for te Best Odds

Odds vary between sportsbooks.

Comparing odds before placing a bet ensures you get the best value.

For example, if a golfer is +2500 at one book and +2800 at another, taking the higher odds increases potential profit without added risk.

 

Example on How to Bet on Golf

First, look at the historical record of first-time entrants in a tournament.

The last person to win the Masters in his first appearance was Fuzzy Zoeller – way back in 1979.

Even though Jordan Spieth and Jonas Blixt came close to ending that streak in 2014, Bubba Watson held on to take home the green jacket.

This means that the trend is now 36 years old, as Spieth won the 2015 title in his second appearance.

At the 2015, ruling out first-time players at the Masters allowed bettors to eliminate 20 names from the 98 possibilities.

Next, consider the age of the oldest person to win the tournament. Jack Nicklaus came out of nowhere in 1986 to win the tournament at the age of 46.

Even though that makes him a serious outlier – along with several others of his lifetime statistics – for the sake of argument, if you eliminate everyone who is older than 46, that knocks 12 more players off the list.

Now you’re down to 66 potential winners out of 98 – almost a full third.

 

Betting the Golf Rounds

Next, it’s time to look at some more specific scoring rounds.

Between 1993 and 2014, 21 of those 22 champions had shot at least one round of 69 or below in a previous trip to Augusta National.

That’s not a perfect trend, but 21 of 22 is still a fairly high percentage.

That means that you can wipe another 16 players off the list if you eliminate people who have never broken 70 at the course.

Now you’re down to 50 out of 98, or about half.

Fifty is still a fairly high number, though, so let’s look at people who didn’t miss the cut last year.

The last time a Masters champion missed the cut the year before was 1997, when Tiger Woods took the green jacket.

This allows you to knock 17 more players off the list, taking it to a much more manageable 33 of 98.

With a list of this size, it’s easier to look at specifics for each player.

In the Masters field, it’s still easy to rule out players such as Kevin Na and Padraig Harrington because of their short distance off the tee.

Players like Rickie Fowler, who often are quite competitive in PGA tournaments, may be less attractive because of their recent performances.

Looking at some players who perform well in other tournaments but not in majors, such as Bill Haas, allows you to slide them off the list.

One more temptation might be to overlook the clearest favorites, as Jordan Spieth was ranked going into the tournament.

However, it’s easy to get a little too cute with odds, as you had to choose Spieth if you wanted the tournament’s winner.

 

Betting Statistics and Metrics

The lesson here is that statistics and metrics provide you with a way to get as close as possible to the winner.

However, it’s important to remember that it’s still a risk (that’s why it’s called gambling, remember?).

So no matter how solid your research is, they still have to go out on the course and play.

Over time, though, solid research will bring you the right results often enough to make it worthwhile.

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How to Win Money on Golf Betting

The sport offers unique opportunities due to its individual nature and large fields.

As for golf betting itself, if you are strategies such as finishing position bets, live betting, and course analysis, you will find strong value.

If you understand the different bet types, stick to your golf betting strategies plus manage your bankroll, you should be on the right steps toward success.

With golf tournaments held year-round, there’s always another opportunity just around the corner.

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MyBookie’s Sportsbook Betting Guide | Betting on Golf

Check out our Sports Betting Guide to increase those winning when betting on sports.

• Golfer, Group Matchup & Future Betting Explained
• What is Dead Heat in Golf Betting?
• Ways of Golf Betting
• How to Bet on Golf

 

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Golf Betting Center

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Updated Golf Betting Odds | Online Betting Lines

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