Golf is now part of the Olympic Games and is rapidly expanding its reach. Golf has a strong presence in popular culture. In this article, we will discuss the basic rules of golf and try to understand how to make a profit from betting on golf. You will also find tips and predictions for your golf bets.
What You Need to Know About Golf Betting
The essence of golf is well-known to almost every sports enthusiast. There are various rules, but in recent years, the focus has been on simplifying the game. The objective remains the same: to hit the ball into the holes using clubs and achieve a lower score than your opponent.
In each game, participants must play a certain number of holes (usually 18) in a specific order. The hole refers to both the actual hole in the ground and the entire playing area.
The playing area may have obstacles such as water hazards, sand bunkers, bushes, trees, and tall grass. For qualifying golf, players are allowed to use no more than 14 clubs, which are divided into several types.
Golf was part of the Olympics in 1900 and 1904. It returned to the Olympics in 2016 and is now a permanent Olympic sport. Traditionally, golfers from the United States are considered favorites, and players from the United Kingdom, Spain, and Australia often achieve top positions.
Types of Golf Bets
The betting market for major golf tournaments is quite extensive, providing a wide range of options. Here are five main markets for golf betting:
Tournament winner
This is a risky option since there are usually many players participating in a tournament. Predicting the winner can be challenging, despite rankings, statistics, and differences in class;
Top finish
This bet is based on the chosen golfer’s finishing position within a specified range. Bets are commonly placed on top-3, top-5, and top-10 finishes. For example, for a top-3 bet, your chosen player must finish within the top three;
Podium finish
This is a safer option but may not always be available in the betting market. Additionally, the odds will be lower;
Head-to-head matchup
A classic bet where you choose which golfer will finish ahead among a specified pair. Analyzing the performance of several players is sufficient. Your chosen player must outperform the competitor for the bet to be successful;
Best representative of a country
Available for major PGA and European Tour events, this bet requires selecting the best player from a specific country who will finish higher than their compatriots in the standings. For example, the best American or Spanish player;
Other bets, such as an individual player’s total score in a round or the number of strokes by the winner, are also available for major events.
Statistics for Golf Predictions and Key Terminology
The official PGA Tour website provides a wealth of statistical data to enhance the effectiveness of your bets. Here are four main statistics to consider:
- Driving Accuracy: This percentage represents a player’s successful shots that land in the “fairway,” the intended landing area.
- Driving Distance: This statistic displays the average distance a player’s shots travel.
- GIR (Greens in Regulation): This measures a player’s percentage of successfully hitting the green, the designated area for completing a hole, within the expected number of strokes.
- Putting Average: This represents the number of shots it takes a player to complete a hole by hitting the ball into the hole from the green. A lower putting average indicates a higher skill level.
Characteristics of Golf Betting
The four major golf tournaments attract the majority of viewership and betting interest. Players are highly motivated for these majors, and the strongest competitors strive not to miss such events. Bookmakers thoroughly analyze the situation before setting the odds, so errors are rare.
In less significant tournaments, the bookmakers’ margin is higher. Bookmakers increase the commission to protect themselves from potential errors in the odds. Incorrect odds occur more frequently in these cases, and operators may significantly underestimate individual players.
