Leader After Round

Predicting and wagering which golfer will be at the top of the leaderboard after a round is played.

Make the Cut

Betting on which player will move on to the next round of the tournament when it comes time to cut golfers from the bottom of the leaderboard.

Top X Finish

Bet on a player to finish in a range of positions on the leaderboard. That would be in the top 5, 10 or 20.

Each-Way

Place a bet on a golfer to win or to place in a specific position on the leaderboard.

Outright Winner

Betting on a golfer to win the tournament. A risky bet that requires that the golfer is the undisputed winner.

Before the sports event starts, sportsbooks will offer odds based on how golfers have recently performed and based on their history. Once the tee off happens, a lot can change during a tournament. So, if you have placed a bet before the tournament started, then during the tournament is a good time to assess whether that pre-tournament bet was a good or bad one.

In these cases, in-play betting can be a great advantage. If a golfer’s performance is not living up to the bet you initially placed, then supplementing that bet with wagers from events that are currently happening is a good way to break even. On the other hand, if the pre-tournament wager seems to be working out for you, then choosing to place in-play wagers will add to your winnings at the end of the tournament.

Betting on an outright winner is a good way to secure a big win, provided that the golfer you chose wins the tournament. To minimize the risk, placing a wager that focuses on each-way bets or where the golfer will place is a better idea. Even though the reward is not as lucrative as the outright winner, it is a good way of covering more ground.

The chances of you predicting if a golfer will end up in the top 5, 10 or 20 are more reliable than hoping that one specific player wins the entire tournament. In this way, bettors increase their chance of making a profit even though their pick did not win the tournament, as long as they place in the selected range on the leaderboard.

Golf is an extremely competitive sport Unlike other sports, the number of golfers that participate in one of the majors can be more than 100. While there are favourites to win a tournament, focus on what happens before that final round. Many smaller betting opportunities will present themselves throughout the tournament. There is potential to make more of a profit, by looking at the versus the field market. You will place more bets, but stand a better chance of winning overall, compared to placing all your eggs in one basket.

Welcome Bonuses

When you sign up with a new sportsbook and receive free bets, then you should have no trouble using them on golf.

Enhanced Odds

These offers give you a chance to boost your odds. That means that you stand a chance to win more than you initially thought if your bet is successful.

Money-Back Offers

These promotions are sometimes offered by sportsbooks that allow bettors to place wagers with lower risk. The offer gives bettors all their money back or a percentage of the initial stake if the bet is lost and fulfils certain requirements.

Loyalty Bonuses

Bonuses are awarded to bettors that place wagers often and return to the sportsbook often. These bets can differ and work out well for golf bettors given that there are technically always golf events to bet on throughout the year.

Quota

Each golfer that participates will look at their current handicap and subtract their individual total from 36. The number that remains is the quota and it is the number to beat with points earned in a round of golf. Each participant will place a wager into the pot and whichever player has the most points above the quota, wins the pot. This is a gambling game and side bet mainly played in a head to head game of golf.

Vegas

This game relies on having two teams, with two players each. The scoring per hole will be based on the individual number of shots from each golfer. If the players from the first team make 5 shots each on the hole, then the team score is 5-5, which translates to a total number of 55 points. If the second team’s players score 7 shots and 3 shots, 7-3, then the total number of points is 73. Before each round starts, the payout for each point is determined.

Skins

A predetermined amount is put into a pot by all participating golfers and then the rules will be set. All golfers will need to agree whether to use either gross scoring, which is the number of strokes from a player, or net, which is the total with the golfer’s handicap subtracted. The scores for each hole will need to be recorded. Each hole can also have a different value based on what the golfers agree upon. The winner of the game is the golfer with the least amount of points and a tie will end up with the prize money being split equally. There can also be special prizes for holes-in-one and birdies throughout the game.

Wolf

A game format used when there are four golfers and to win you need to have the highest score at the end of the round. One player will be the wolf at each hole and this is determined by flipping the tee. The player that becomes the wolf is always the last to tee-off at each hole. All other golfers will take their first shot and the wolf can then partner with another player or choose to be a lone wolf.

The lone wolf will only benefit from playing alone, if they win the hole. This victory is worth four points and if you choose to have a partner then each golfer will receive 2 points for the victory, as the wolf or the partner can win the hole. However, if the partner or the wolf loses the hole, the other participants all receive three points each. If it is the lone wolf that loses the hole, then all other players only receive one point each.

Playing Golf

The most basic form of golf and its rules state that the golfer who completes a course by hitting the ball into the holes in as few strokes or shots as possible will win the game. Every participant in a round of golf will have access to a variety of golf clubs that can be used throughout the course. While on the golf course, there are hills, trees, sand bunkers, water features and in some cases animals that serve as obstacles. Essentially, the golfer that can bring in the lowest score or amount of shots, is the victor.

Golf can be played head-to-head or with several opponents. Golfers can also choose to team up with golfers participating in the round. When it comes to scoring, there are different ways to determine a winner. Participants in a round of golf, with 18 holes, will decide if they want to score the round on stroke play or match play. With stroke play, the total number of shots for each hole will be counted and an average will be determined based on 18 holes in the round, which will give the player their final score. Whereas in a match play round, points are awarded to golfers at each hole depending on how many strokes they made per hole.

Here are a few terms you will come across if you are trying to understand more about golf. When it comes to betting as well, it is good to know more about the sport you are betting on:

Wedge

A type of golf club used when a golfer wants the ball to ascend quickly and descend sharply

Tee

A small peg with an indent at the top that holds the golf ball in place for the first stroke

Stroke

Each time the ball is hit

Rough

Taller grass on the golf course

Putter

A golf club used when the ball is close to the hole

Putt

A hit or stroke made close to the hole on the green

Par

The number of shots predicted and required to finish a hole

Out of Bounds

Areas marked with a white line. If the ball lands out of bounds the golfer will receive a penalty stroke

Links

The oldest type of golf course close to the coast with many sand dunes

Iron

A type of golf club which is the most commonly used

Hole-in-one

When the ball finds the hole in one stroke or shot

Hazard

An obstacle created to increase the difficulty of getting the ball into the hole

Handicap

The average number of strokes a golfer has over several games in the past

Green

The area closest to the hole, which is a smooth grassy area

Fore

If the ball is heading in the direction of someone, golfers will shout this word

Fairway

The area between the tee box and the hole

Eagle

Two points under par

Driver

Used to make the first stroke, and is the longest golf club in a set with the largest head

Double Bogey

Two points above par

Bunker

Usually filled with sand on the golf course

Bogey

One point above par

Birdie

One point under par

Approach

A stroke played on the fairway for the ball to approach the green

Albatross

Three points under par

Are there many opportunities to bet on in golf?

Yes. Throughout the year there are golf events that are being played and odds available to bettors. The four major golf tournaments in the world are played one after the other and some tournaments take place over a year.

Are golf bets different from other sports bets?

No. When you find a sportsbook, the bookmaker will present you with odds and betting markets for you to choose from. The most popular and smaller bets are placed while the event is taking place.

How do I learn more about golf?

Doing your research and playing the game yourself is a good way to understand the scoring system, terminology and determine which betting markets and odds work for you. You can go to a golf course to learn and even compete against friends or strangers.

What is a versus the field bet in golf?

You will place a bet on any other golfer to win the tournament or a round of golf. You place a bet for anyone besides the favourite to win.

How many holes does a golf course have?

A golf course will typically have 18 holes and it is also the total number of holes played to complete a round.

How many holes is a golf tournament made up of?

On average, the standard golf tournament is made up of 72 holes. The golf course will have 18 holes that are played four times. After two rounds of the tournament, golfers in the lower part of the leaderboard are cut from the tournament.

How long do golfers have to make a shot?

Golfers need to make their stroke within 40 seconds and if they don’t then a penalty will be issued in the form of an additional stroke.

Are there bonuses and promotions for golf betting?

Yes. Many golf betting websites will have a welcome offer which is usually a free bet offer. However, the golf betting website can decide to offer other promotions to loyal bettors or when there is a major golf tournament approaching.

Where can I find the best online sportsbooks for golf betting?

We have put together a comprehensive list of sportsbooks that offer golf betting odds. We take the time to review and rate each online sportsbook to ensure that they offer only the best service to you as the bettor.