How to Bet on Golf for Newbies

Golf is one of the most popular sports globally, yet it remains largely overlooked by novice sports bettors. If you’re new to sports betting, specifically for golf, you’re in luck! This is a great place to start.


Today, I’ll share some of the keys to successfully betting on golf for newbies.

Why Betting on Golf Works for Newbies

Golf offers fantastic opportunities for newbies to venture into the world of sports betting, provided they are familiar with the sport, of course.

Millions of Americans play golf regularly. These loyal enthusiasts spend a ton of money on equipment, club memberships, green fees, and gambling.

Go to any course in the US on any Saturday or Sunday morning, and you’ll see a 19th hole filled with golfers sitting around tables with piles of cash in front of them.

Avid golfers eat, sleep, and breathe golf. This love for the game translates to the pro ranks. Weekend afternoons are spent in front of the TV watching the best players in the world competing on the PGA Tour.

Most golfers could give you detailed information on their favorite players. This information ranges from tendencies on courses to what ball they play. At the peak of my obsession, I could even give you the specific lofts of each club in my favorite pro’s bag.

I always tell new sports bettors to stick with what they know, and golfers are more likely to learn more about their favorite pros than any other fanbase.

For this reason, golfers are in a unique position to enter the ranks of sports betting seamlessly. Your analysis and research will not only take less time, but you’ll enjoy spending hours engaging your favorite pastime.

Bet With Your Head and Not Your Heart

Don’t be blinded by your affection for a particular player. This logic encompasses all of sports betting. You may be a lifelong Cleveland Browns fan, but if you are betting on them to win the Super Bowl, you’re going to lose.

It would be best if you didn’t begin to bet on golf for the sole purpose of “supporting” your favorite pro. Your goal should be to develop a profitable betting strategy that will translate into long-term profits.

If your favorite pros are Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, or Rory McIlroy, you may have some success betting your favorites. However, even these three superstars lose more tournaments than they win.

Koepka is always a favorite in the four Majors (U.S. Open, The Masters, The PGA Championship, and The British Open). Still, he rarely wins a random tournament where the stakes aren’t as high. Koepka himself has stated he only cares about winning Majors.

A typical PGA Tour season consists of around 50 events. That means you’re going to have long periods of inactivity if you’re only betting on the Majors.

That inactivity can lead to tremendous boredom, and sports betting is meant to be entertaining. So, focus on finding value each week.

Everyone loves an underdog. Unfortunately, gamblers will often fall head over heels for a Cinderella story.

Network TV coverage will shove the local pro who works at a corn maze to make ends meet and nearly gave up on his dream down our throats.

Please don’t drink the Kool-Aid. I’m not saying you shouldn’t root for the guy. I’ll be rooting for the part-time farmer 100 times out of 100.

I won’t be betting a single penny on the hopeful hero, and neither should you.

As is the case with most sports available at the sportsbook, golf offers a wide range of betting options. A few of these are pure sucker bets, but there are several solid choices for establishing a profitable routine.

First-Round Leader

Betting on the player that will get out of the gates on fire is one of my favorite ways to bet on golf.

Some players can’t handle the pressures of the back nine on a Sunday. The first-round leader bet gives those who bet on golf to capitalize on these players’ hot start. You’ll need to pay attention to several factors for this bet.

The fact that all players are teeing off in generally random times (although the top players will receive the prime slots), combined with everyone in the field starting from scratch, means weather can be critical.

Weather can always play a heavy hand in how a round plays out. For the players on the PGA Tour, the weather on Thursday can have a tremendous effect on how a player gets started.

Early morning rounds can avoid high winds and slower wet greens. Mid-day players can face higher winds and dry fast greens. Late afternoon tee times could struggle with high winds and challenging greens dried out by the sun.

Some players may face rain and cold temperatures in the morning, while those fortunate enough to play late in the day can take advantage of clear warm skies.

Pay attention to not only the hottest players on the PGA Tour when making this bet but the weather as well. Knowing what time the rain will stop or the winds kick up can make for a tremendous advantage.

Outright Winner

Betting on which player will win a tournament is the most popular bet on golf for newbies and pros alike.

In sports, you sometimes have to just back the odds-on favorite. After all, they’re usually the favorite for a good reason.

However, you don’t necessarily choose the player Vegas has winning. Do your research and back the player you believe has the best chance of winning.

Most of the time, you can even hedge your bets by placing bets on more than one golfer.

If one of your selections wins the tournament, you still make a profit in the match.

Of course, if you place three equal bets and all three lose, you’re out three times the money. Choose wisely and start slow.

I recommend placing a small bet on your favorite pick. Then, you may introduce a secondary favorite or even put a small dark horse bet once you’re more established.

Match-Up Betting

Another fantastic way to bet on golf for newbies is to bet on specific match-ups. These match-ups are typically in the same grouping.

Having two players in the same group as a head-to-head matchup is excellent. This pairing not only makes it much easier to follow the action, but the players will be facing the same conditions on the course.

Having a bet on the head to head rounds of two players on top of the leaderboard on Sunday can add a tremendous amount of excitement to the viewing experience. However, the best value often lies in the matchups where the players are in completely different groups.

Imagine you have two players that are mostly equal in every measurable way. Yet, Player A will be battling the rain and fierce winds. Player B will be facing bluebird skies and much calmer winds. Player B clearly has an advantage, right?

Suppose you are dedicated enough to researching the bets adequately. In that case, you are presented with a beautiful opportunity as a newbie golf bettor.

When you begin to bet on golf as a newbie, you’ll likely be overwhelmed with the sheer number of bets available.

Don’t fall for the sucker bets. Stick to the ones listed above until you begin to show sustained positive returns. At that point, you’ll be better suited to spot value in the plethora of other options.

Most importantly, you’ll be able to spot a sucker bet a mile away.

Selecting the Right Sportsbook

Choosing the right sportsbook is old hat for intermediate and advanced sports bettors. Newbies face a different set of challenges. Frequently, even if a newbie selects a trustworthy sportsbook, they are hindered by their own apprehension and doubt about their choice.

Let’s look at the critical factors for choosing a reputable sportsbook… One crucial factor for selecting a sportsbook is their customer service. At some point, you will have questions or maybe a technical issue that requires interaction with the sportsbook.

Any reputable online sportsbook will have a toll-free number to call. Before you decide on a sportsbook, call the number and see if you speak to a human. They should be able to answer any questions and address any concerns professionally and promptly.

Also, give their online support a test drive. Taking these simple steps ahead of time could save you hours of lost time and lost money in the future.

The determining factor for many sports bettors choosing a sportsbook is the deposit bonus. Deposit bonuses are typically matching bonuses offered to draw in new customers.

These deposit bonuses will match your initial deposit up to a certain percentage or dollar amount. You may receive a 100% bonus up to $150. So, in effect, you’re starting at $300.

This is great. Who doesn’t love free money?

Just be sure to read the terms and conditions carefully. These bonuses will almost always have wagering requirements. That means you can’t merely take your free cash and jump ship. You’ve got to give the sportsbook a chance at their money back.

Conclusion

Betting on golf can be tremendously entertaining for newbies and sharp bettors alike. Stick to the basic bets as a newbie.

When it comes to betting on golf, you’re going to get what you put into it. Start slow, and develop a system that works best for you.