Golf Betting Strategies: Finding Value & Field Bets
While the ultimate goal for professional golfers is to win the tournament, the goal for bettors is often to pick the event winner. However, this is incredibly difficult due to large playing fields and other variables, meaning even the best players win only a fraction of the time.
This guide will review savvy strategies for finding value when betting on golf.
Common Golf Bet Types
To find value, explore alternative bet types beyond an outright tournament winner.
- Outright Winner: As we’ve discussed, this is the primary betting market for a golf tournament. You’re asked to pick the golfer you think will win the outing.
- Head-to-Head: In this type of bet, sportsbooks pair two players against each other (one favorite and one underdog). The bet can be placed for a single round or the entire tournament.
- Two- or Three-Ball: Wager on which player will score better within a twosome (common in later rounds) or a threesome (earlier rounds). This bet can apply to a round or the tournament.
- Round Leaders: Sportsbooks offer odds for players to lead after a specific round.
- Hole Winner: You can bet on a player to win specific holes.
- Bet the Field: The "field" encompasses all players not considered favorites. You can place a bet that any player except for the favorite or otherwise singled-out golfer will win.
- Each-Way: Each-way golf betting allows you to bet on a player to win and/or "place" (finish near the top of the leaderboard). If players finish tied for places, "dead-heat rules" apply, which may result in a reduced payout.
Four Major Pro Golf Tournaments to Bet on
Bettors interested in golf should be aware of several major tournaments, as these events often come with more generous betting offers and a wider range of in-play markets:
The Masters
The US Masters is held every April at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia. It’s the smallest and most exclusive field of all the majors; you must be invited to participate based on strict qualification requirements.
The winner is famously gifted a green jacket, adding to the allure of one of the world’s most iconic sporting events.
The U.S. Open
The U.S. Open is held at courses nationwide every Father’s Day weekend. While the course location changes each year, this major is still known for being very challenging. Most winning scores are near par.
Unlike the Masters, this major is considered more open. Half of the participants qualify through local and sectional qualifiers.
PGA Championship
The PGA Championship is considered the least prestigious of the four majors, but often sees the strongest field of the top 100+ ranked golfers. It also changes courses every year.
About 20 club pros earn spots through dedicated qualifiers.
The Open Championship
Also called the British Open, this is the oldest major in the world. It’s hosted on prestigious UK golf courses, including St Andrews, Royal Liverpool, and Royal Birkdale. These coastal courses test golfers with the elements: high winds, rain, and sand.
Golf Betting Strategies to Consider
Don’t Overvalue Favorites
Betting consistently on the best players doesn't guarantee a profit, as their odds are typically low. Top players don't compete every week. Therefore, the field is likelier to produce a victor in "run-of-the-mill" tournaments with few or no major stars. However, this can also be applied to major tournaments like the Masters.
With more open competition than in previous eras, betting the field offers a rewarding and enjoyable way to wager on golf.
Maximize Each-Way Places
Picking the outright winner in a professional golf tournament is tough due to large field sizes (rarely below 100 players) and many variables. Each-way bets act as insurance. You can still profit even if your chosen player doesn't win but places well.
Look for betting sites that offer more each-way places than competitors, as predicting a top-10 finish is easier than a top-5 finish. Consider players who regularly contend but often fall short.
Live Bet on Golf
Golf's leisurely pace, where players take several minutes between shots, provides ample time for bettors to consider options for an in-play wager. This allows bettors to take advantage of an elite player whose odds may have significantly dropped after a few bad holes, but who still has ample time to recover and contend.
Don’t forget about early cash-out offers, where you can take a reduced payout before the period for your bet expires.
Do Your Research
When evaluating players for a field bet or any other golf wager, consider recent performances and past success on the course where the tournament is being played. It’s important to know individual player trends on a particular course.
Don’t discount under-the-radar golfers. Identify players who tend to elevate their game at high-profile events. Some smaller names may be close to a breakthrough, as confidence is key in golf, and a victory can often follow a string of good finishes.
Stay updated on the latest weather reports. Forecasts for heavy winds or inclement weather can level the playing field.
