Complete Golf Betting Guide

Golf betting is more than just picking a favorite. It’s a complex game of numbers, analysis, and intuition. 

This page delves into the world of expert golf betting, providing insights into the strategies, data, and knowledge required to consistently find value on the course. 

Discover how to leverage advanced statistics, course comparisons, and professional handicapping to elevate your betting game.

Golf Betting Picks

All Types of Golf Bets

Golf betting presents a few unique opportunities over other sports. The Top Finisher wagers allow you to wager on which bracket a golfer will place in, which narrows down the outright wager, making it more manageable. The Each Way wager is essentially a Win/Place wager, similar to horse racing. Plus, there are often tournament special wagers, so always check your sportsbook’s props section to find unique wagers. 

Here’s a rundown of all the top golf bets you’ll be able to use to make profit:

Outright

The outright wager is simply a wager on which golfer you think will win the tournament overall. This wager is a like a moneyline, but instead of two teams, the whole rosters of players have odds. For example, for the 2025 PGA Championship, there are now 90 players with odds listed on BetUS. 

Betting on an outright early can be risky because players can easily drop out, suffer an injury, or not perform well. Waiting until there are a handful of favorites near the end of the tournament is a good time to place a wager since you have additional information. However, the odds won’t be as profitable then, but you’re reducing risk. 

Each Way

An each-way bet in golf is essentially two bets in one.  

• The Win Bet: This is a standard bet on the golfer to win the tournament.
• The Place Bet: This is a bet on the golfer to finish within a specified number of places (usually top 5). The odds for the place bet are reduced compared to the win bet.   

For example, if you place a $10 each-way bet on a golfer at odds of 20/1, you’re actually betting $5 on them to win the tournament at 20/1, and $5 on them to finish in the top 5 at reduced odds (usually 1/4 of the win odds, so 5/1 in this case). This wager is a bit more secure than an outright because you’ve increased the probability of success. 

Head to Head

The head-to-head golf bet is a simple concept: you pick one golfer to outperform another golfer in a specific round or tournament. It’s a direct comparison between two players, eliminating the complexity of the entire field.

You choose between two golfers who are competing in the same event. The golfer with the lower score at the end of the round or tournament wins the head-to-head matchup. 

Bookmakers will typically set odds for each golfer, reflecting their perceived chances of winning the matchup. However, bookies will also set wagers on players that are evenly matched, so it’s more difficult to make a prediction. Make sure you’re doing adequate research to place a head-to-head wager. 

Three Way Bet

A three-way bet in golf, also known as a three-ball matchup, involves three golfers competing against each other in a specific round. You bet on one of these three golfers to finish with the lowest score in that round.   

This wager is essentially a head-to-head, but with three golfers instead of two. 

Round Totals

Betting on round totals in golf involves predicting whether a golfer’s total score for a specific round will be over or under a set number.

Example:

• A golfer’s round total is set at 70.5.
• You can bet on the golfer to score over 70.5 (meaning 71 or higher) or under 70.5 (meaning 70 or lower).
• The bookmaker will provide odds for both options.

This type of bet allows you to focus on one golfer’s performance in a single round, rather than the outcome of the entire tournament. It’s a popular option for those who have a good feel for a golfer’s game on a specific day or course.

Props and Tournament Specials

Prop bets and tournament specials offer a wide range of betting options beyond simply picking a tournament winner. These bets can add excitement and variety to your golf wagering experience.  

• Top 10, Top 20, Top 40 Finishes: Bet on a player to finish within a specific range of positions.
• Player Performance: Bet on specific aspects of a player’s game, such as most birdies, most eagles, or fewest bogeys.
• Hole-in-One: Bet on whether a specific player will make a hole-in-one during the tournament.
• Leader After Round: Predict which golfer will be leading after a specific round.
• Method of Victory: Bet on how the tournament will be decided (playoff, sudden death, etc.).
• Tournament Matchups: Bet on one team or country to outperform another in team events like the Ryder Cup.

Live Golf Betting

With live betting, you’re wagering on events as they happen in real-time. 

Odds fluctuate based on the current situation, allowing for dynamic betting as the tournament progresses. You can bet on various outcomes, such as the winner of the next hole, the player to make the next birdie, or even the final score of the tournament. 

Many people enjoy betting live because they feel that there are more opportunities to show up the sportsbook, especially if you’re betting from the green while watching the tournament in person. 

Nassau Golf Bet: For Bettors or Players?

A Nassau is a popular golf wager that players engage in to make the game more interesting. The Nassau wager isn’t available for bettors online or in-person, 

The Nassau essentially breaks down a round into three separate bets:

• Front Nine: The player with the lowest score on the first nine holes wins.
• Back Nine: The player with the lowest score on the last nine holes wins.
• Total: The player with the lowest overall score for 18 holes wins.

Example: If you and a friend agree to a $5 Nassau, you’re betting $5 on who will win each of those three segments. So, the potential winnings or losses for a round are $15.

How to Bet On Golf for Value

Use these golf betting tips to help you find more value among the sportsbook’s chaff. 

Analyze Player Performance

To consistently find betting value in golf, you need to move beyond superficial metrics. Advanced player statistics provide a granular look at a golfer’s performance. Instead of relying solely on driving distance, delve into strokes gained data. These metrics break down a player’s performance into key areas: off the tee, approach, around the green, and putting.

Understanding how a player compares to the field in each of these categories is crucial. A player might be a long hitter, but if they consistently lose strokes on approach shots, their chances of winning decrease significantly. Putting, often referred to as the ‘moneymaker’, is another critical area where detailed statistics can reveal a player’s true potential.

Other metrics to consider include birdie conversion rate and bogey avoidance. 

Compare Course Information

Player statistics are essential, but they only tell part of the story. Course fit is equally important. Not every player performs well on every course. Factors like course length, green size, rough conditions, and even historical player performance at a specific venue come into play.

By carefully analyzing course characteristics and comparing them to a player’s strengths, you can identify potential mismatches in the market. A long hitter might be undervalued on a long, open course, while a precise ball striker could excel on a tight layout. Effective course comparison, combined with in-depth player data, is a powerful tool for uncovering profitable betting opportunities.

Sign Up for Picks and Predictions

You’re doing your own research, and that’s great. But even the best bettors can benefit from a second set of eyes. Professional handicappers dedicate countless hours to analyzing data, studying trends, and understanding the intricacies of the game.

They often have access to information and resources that aren’t readily available to the public. Think of it as outsourcing part of your research process. It’s like having a seasoned pro review your swing and offer insights you might have missed. While it’s no guarantee of success, a good handicapper can provide a fresh perspective and potentially uncover hidden value in the market.

Biggest Golf Betting Events

Throughout the spring and summer, there’s always golf on TV. However, there are a few events that opportunistic golf bettors should watch out for. They include:

Masters

The Masters is the first major of the year, held in April at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. Known for its iconic beauty and challenging layout, Augusta National features undulating greens and towering pines. The tournament boasts the strongest field of the year, with the world’s top golfers vying for the coveted green jacket.

US Open

The US Open is the second major of the year, typically held in June. Known for its demanding course setup and often penal rough, the tournament attracts a world-class field. The USGA selects a different course each year, with recent venues including iconic tracks like Pebble Beach and Shinnecock Hills.

Open Championship (British Open)

The Open Championship, the oldest of the majors, is held in July or August at links-style courses in Great Britain, Scotland, or Ireland. Characterized by wind, firm fairways, and undulating greens, these courses present a unique challenge to golfers. The tournament features a global field and is known for its passionate crowds.

PGA Championship

The PGA Championship is the fourth major of the year, traditionally held in August. It showcases a variety of courses, though often featuring longer layouts with penal rough. The tournament boasts a strong field of professionals competing for the Wanamaker Trophy. In recent years, the PGA of America has experimented with rotating the championship to different regions of the United States.

Fedex Cup

The FedEx Cup is the PGA Tour’s season-long playoff series, culminating in the Tour Championship in August. It features the top 125 players on the FedEx Cup points list competing across four events at various TPC courses known for their demanding layouts. The FedEx Cup champion is determined by points accumulated throughout the regular season and playoffs.

Ryder Cup

The Ryder Cup is a biennial team competition between Europe and the United States, held in odd-numbered years. It’s a match play format played over three days, with matches consisting of fourballs, foursomes, and singles. The event rotates between courses in Europe and the United States, often featuring dramatic finishes and intense rivalry.

Golf News and Analysis

Hole In One With This Golf Betting Guide

As you’re gearing up to wager on golf this year, make sure you’re thoroughly analyzing player performance and comparing it to course data. Golf is one of the unique sports where the course can make or break a player, even seasoned pros. And there are betting opportunities to be found there. 

The best way to identify these betting possibilities is to sign up for picks from a professional handicapper. At Scores and Stats, we have a few expert golf handicappers on staff, and they’re always cooking up the best wagers for you. Use this data to your advantage, and boost your bankroll with some of our targeted golf betting suggests.