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