Golf has gained popularity in the world of online betting sites due to its strategic nature and the number of major events that attract a global audience. From major tournaments such as the Masters or the Open Championship, to more regular competitions, golf offers a wide variety of betting markets.
Below, we will explain the main types of bets available to golf fans on online platforms.
1. Tournament Winner Bet
One of the most basic and popular bets in golf is the tournament winner bet. In this type of bet, punters select which player they think will win the entire tournament. Since golf tournaments often feature large fields of players, the odds for the winner can be quite attractive, especially if the punter chooses a player who is not the favorite.
The main challenge with this bet is the number of variables involved, as dozens of players compete in a golf tournament, and factors such as weather, recent form, and course characteristics can influence the outcome.
2. Handicap Bets
Handicap bets are common in many sports, and golf is no exception. In these bets, a “handicap” is assigned to certain players, usually by subtracting or adding strokes to their final score. This type of bet is useful when a player is clearly the favorite and the odds for an outright win are low.
For example, if a player has a handicap of -2, he will need to win the tournament by more than 2 strokes for the bet to be successful. Likewise, a player with a +2 handicap will have a head start of 2 strokes, which could make him an interesting option in competitions with heavy favorites.
3. Best Player by Nationality Bets
Another common bet in golf is the bet on the best player of a specific nationality. In many tournaments, punters can choose which player from a specific group (for example, among American or European players) will finish in the best position.
This type of bet offers an opportunity to diversify the choices, as it is based on the comparison between players from the same region rather than the entire field. It can also be a great option if you follow players from a particular nationality closely and have a solid understanding of their performance.
4. Head-to-Head Bet
Instead of betting on the winner of the entire tournament, punters can opt for a head-to-head bet, which involves predicting which of two specific players will finish with a better score. Online platforms often select two players of similar skill levels, and the punter must choose who they think will outperform the other at the end of the tournament or round.
This type of bet is popular because it removes the uncertainty of having to predict the outcome among a large number of competitors. You only need to focus on two players, which simplifies the analysis process.
5. Best Individual Round Bet
Some online betting platforms allow users to bet on who will have the best individual round in a tournament. This means that you are not betting on who will win the entire tournament, but rather on who will record the lowest score in a specific round (for example, in the first round or over the weekend).
This type of bet is ideal if you are well aware of the behaviour of players in certain conditions or on specific courses. Some golfers may have a good start to a tournament, even if they do not maintain their level throughout the tournament, which makes this option interesting for those who follow the dynamics of the game closely.
6. In-Play Betting
Live golf offers an exciting experience for punters. Instead of placing all bets before the tournament, live betting allows predictions to be adjusted in real time as the game progresses. During rounds, odds can change quickly depending on player performance, weather or any other relevant factor.
Some live betting markets include predicting which player will win the next hole, how many birdies will be scored in a specific stretch, or whether a player will beat a certain score on the remaining holes.
7. Winning Margin Bets
In this type of bet, punters try to predict the exact margin of victory of the winning player. For example, a punter can bet that a player will win the tournament by 1 stroke, 2 strokes, or more. This bet can be difficult to get right, but the odds are often very attractive for those looking for a bigger challenge and potential significant winnings.
8. Hole-in-One Betting
Golf is known for offering spectacular moments, and one of the most exciting is the hole-in-one. Some online platforms allow you to bet on whether a hole-in-one will be made in a specific tournament or even which player will make it. This is a high-risk, high-reward bet, as holes-in-one are quite rare.
Conclusion
Golf offers a wide variety of betting options on online platforms, ranging from simple bets such as choosing the tournament winner to more complex bets such as the margin of victory or performance in a specific round.
With proper planning and a good knowledge of the players and tournament conditions, golf betting can be an exciting and potentially lucrative activity. As always, it is important to bet responsibly and use regulated platforms to ensure a safe and fair experience.