Golf betting can be a bit complex to beginners than football or baseball betting. That's because golf is mostly about predicting the winner of the entire tournament. Also, picking the big names in golf betting can be a "sucker" bet as major championships and tournaments are usually won by players not talked about by the press.
Besides betting on the eventual tournament winner, golf bettors can also bet on an individual golfer's performance. Additionally, there are markets to bet on the first-round leader, group matchups, nationality, head-to-head, and more. Nonetheless, betting on outright winners of tournaments like The Masters, US Open, and PGA Championship is the most convenient way.
How to create a golf betting strategy
When laying the groundwork for a top golf betting system, knowing the available markets is paramount. Quite simply, bet on the outright or winner of the tournament, although this can be a tall order. So, to be safe, wait until the tournament has started to place a more accurate bet, depending on the stats. Also, consider markets like the Top 5 Finish, Top 10 Finish, First Round Leader, and other popular markets.
Meanwhile, it would help to know a thing or six about the golf course. By this, there's no need to know every cup in the course, but just the course layout and location. For instance, West Coast Swing golf courses are traditionally bumpy, meaning players from the Southeast may struggle. Overall, look at how comfortable a player can be on a playing surface before backing them.
Lastly, look at the weather forecast, just like in baseball. As said initially, cold air is far denser than warm air. So, when a cold club hits a cold golf ball, drag is a sure thing. Simply put, cooler energy decreases the travel distance by 1 or 2 yards for every 100 yards. Other weather factors to consider include rain, wind, and snow.
Top golf betting tips
Below are some helpful tips to help maximize the golf betting strategy:
Don't always back the favorites: Golf is not short of shockers like in other sporting events. Sometimes, underdogs can pull an upset to claim the trophy. An example is Tiger Woods, who always has short odds to win a tournament when in top form. However, backing him instead of an in-form homegrown player with long odds can be a costly mistake. The oddsmaker is always happy to offer longer odds to an unproven golfer.
Don't ignore the in-form golfer: Betting on an in-form golfer is arguably the best way to win something here. For example, a bookie can offer +200 for Abraham Ancer to finish inside the top 10. Suppose the player has finished in five consecutive top 20s, then the odds are just too good to pass by. You never know; Abraham may end up even finishing among the best 10.
Best players for major tournaments: Most recent major championships have been dominated by renowned names if the stats are not wrong. For instance, Koepka was ranked fourth worldwide when he bagged the 2018 PGA. On the other hand, Patrick Reed, the 2018 Masters winner, was ranked 24th before the tournament. Now this means the chances of a world-class golfer (Top 25) to win a major event are high.
Course history: It is foolhardy to place money on the head of a specific golfer without considering their record on the respective course. In plain words, always look at how a golfer performs in a particular course. In addition, regional familiarity should never be overlooked, as a homegrown golfer is likely to perform well in a local golf course.