| Betting Basics for Golf | | | | competing against each other to win the tourney, |
| The key to golf betting is differentiating the two | | | | with the bet specifically focused upon how one |
| main wagering options, so we're here to serve as | | | | golfer finishes compared to another golfer in the |
| your gambling caddy and give you helpful tips on | | | | matchup. Group matchups are another "matchup |
| how to understand PGA golf odds. With golf, you | | | | betting" option particularly popular in golf and auto |
| can either bet on an individual to win a | | | | racing events like NASCAR, where you can select |
| tournament or take part in "Matchup Betting" | | | | how one golfer will finish compared to other |
| which involves wagering on artificially created golf | | | | golfers in the group. Both head-to-head and group |
| matchups set by oddsmakers specifically for | | | | matchup golf odds are based on the money line |
| betting purposes. | | | | (check out How to Read the Money Line for |
| "Betting to Win" an outcome event like The | | | | more information). |
| Masters is the most common way to wager on | | | | Different sportsbooks will often feature different |
| golf. Since golf has multiple tournaments over the | | | | matchups, and this is very important to note |
| course of a year, "Betting to Win" obviously | | | | because you can shop around to different online |
| offers numerous wagering opportunities. | | | | sportsbooks and try to find the golf matchup |
| Keep in mind that not all the competitors in a PGA | | | | that's most worth betting on. If you like a |
| golf tournament may be individually listed to win, | | | | particular golfer going into a tournament, your |
| so another golf betting option is the "field" bet | | | | best move is to compare matchups across |
| which includes all other competitors not listed. | | | | multiple online sportsbooks and bet a larger |
| The PGA golf odds on a "field" bet depend on | | | | amount on the biggest mismatch in your |
| how many golfers are listed and how likely it is | | | | estimation. Then you can also put down a small |
| for the top golfers to win. In other words, if the | | | | wager on your favorite golfer to win the |
| same five or six golfers seem to battle it out for | | | | tournament in case he does come through and |
| the top spots atop the leaderboard from | | | | win the tournament. By betting your golfer to win |
| tournament to tournament, the odds on the "field" | | | | the tournament and a matchup, you'll have double |
| will be much higher since there is less likelihood | | | | the fun knowing you've got double the chances to |
| that one of the longshots in the "field" will win. | | | | win! |
| However, major upsets seem to occur much | | | | Here are a couple final important tips to consider |
| more often in golf than other sports, so a "field" | | | | before picking your golfer: |
| bet is typically comparable to a bet on the | | | | It's advisable to stay away from betting the |
| favorite odds-wise in order to protect | | | | public's favorite golfers since you won't get much |
| sportsbooks from taking a big hit. In exchange for | | | | value there |
| a lesser payout, field bettors do gain the | | | | Research the golfer's history, especially how he |
| advantage of having more than one entrant that | | | | performs on a particular course since |
| can win for them. | | | | tournaments are typically played on the same |
| Here's an example: | | | | course each year and some courses definitely |
| Favorites or top golfers = 5/1 to 10/1 | | | | play to a golfer's strengths better than others |
| 36 or so other well-known golfers listed individually | | | | If you are a knowledgeable PGA golf fan who has |
| = 10/1 to 200/1 | | | | a good feel about how tournaments will likely turn |
| Field (collection of 36 or more not listed) = 10/1 | | | | out, you should most definitely trust your insights |
| Some sportsbooks will also allow you to bet | | | | and use them to find strong bets. For those of |
| futures on the four major PGA tournaments, | | | | you with less experience, several sports web |
| which is yet another way you can "Bet to Win" | | | | sites have power rankings for golfers which |
| that can offer you appealing odds because you | | | | should give you a good idea of who's hot on the |
| are betting far in advance of when the event | | | | links and who's not. Of course it's up to you to |
| takes place. For example, betting on the 2006 | | | | decide which golfer you want to bet on, but the |
| Masters golf tournament now might get you | | | | more you learn about PGA golf, the more |
| much better value on Tiger Woods, who may be | | | | prepared you will be when placing your bet. |
| 10/1 at this moment but dip to 6/1 closer to the | | | | Hopefully now at least you know the basics of |
| event if he is on a roll. For more information on | | | | betting golf and how to use golf odds to your |
| the value of betting golf futures, read How Future | | | | advantage! |
| Bets Can Pay Off. | | | | provides sports betting rules, basics, advice, |
| "Matchup Betting" offers an alternative to simply | | | | systems, and strategy, online for free, covering |
| betting on a golf tournament's winner. Artificial | | | | NFL Football, NCAA college basketball, NBA, pro |
| head-to-head matchups are created by | | | | MLB baseball wagering from gambling experts. |
| oddsmakers and involve golfers who are all | | | | |