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In golf, the objective is to go low in relation to par. In golf betting, the goal is to navigate a variety of players, conditions, courses and tournaments that make this a fun, unique and potentially lucrative sport on which to place action. Because golf is played almost everywhere in the world and remains popular among television viewers, golf betting is now available at a wide range of the best online betting sites. That means you have plenty of options when it comes to finding the best odds possible before you bet.For starters, we recommend that you stick to our recommended list. For example, if your budget for betting the tournament is $50 and you’re used to betting $50 on the golfer you like, don’t start betting $50 on multiple golfers. If you bet five golfers, you’d now be wagering $250 instead of your allotted $50. Instead, bet $10 on each golfer.

These Sites Are a Hole-In-One!

The modern game of golf was first played in 15th century Scotland, and the rules have changed very little over the centuries. While the goal of hitting a ball into a hole sounds simple enough, the challenging nature of the sport has caused numerous men and women to become obsessed with the game.

Golf betting may not inspire the same level of obsession, but it’s a welcome addition to most online sportsbooks. With a large field of players, multiple days of competition, and courses that offer a wide range of challenges, it’s an ever-changing game that can enthrall even the most jaded bettor.

This article covers a few of the basics regarding golf wagers, from the types of bets to some useful tips. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to get an edge on the oddsmakers, this information should provide a literary hole-in-one (or at least par).

Popular Wagers for Golf Betting

Sports such as football and basketball often have similar betting options, but the hole-by-hole format of golf opens up a world of exciting new possibilities for bettors. While these wagers are sure to differ from one sportsbook to another, they comprise the most popular golf betting options.

• Outright Winner:
  All participants in an event are listed, and it’s up to the bettor to choose the tournament winners. Money line odds are often used, which means a player is given a number with either a plus or minus sign in front of it. If it’s a plus sign, then the player is considered an underdog and their number indicates how much money the bettor can win with a $100 wager. If it’s a negative sign, the player is a favorite and the number is how much must be wagered in order to win $100.
• Golf Futures:
  This form of wager is similar to the outright winner option, but it’s often offered months in advance. This bet can be placed until the tournament begins, but odds may change as the event date gets closer.
• Top 10 Finish:
  Similar to the outright winner wager, except the bettor receives a payout if his chosen player finishes in the top 10. Other versions of this wager exist for a top 5 finish and the first round leader.
• Prop Bets:
  The bettor tries to correctly predict a specific outcome. Examples include the number of strokes required to win the tournament and the European player with the best final score.
• Matchups:
  Two players in a tournament are matched up against one another, and the bettor must predict who’ll finish with the better score. This match-up can take place over 18 holes, 72 holes, and some other variation.
• Group Play:
  The oddsmaker lists assorted golfers who aren’t playing together in a group, and the bettor tries to predict which one will have the best score at the end of the designated number of holes.
• 3 Ball Betting:
  In the first couple of days during tournaments, golfers play in groups of three. In 3 Ball Betting, the gambler must choose the group player with the lowest score after a certain number of holes (usually 18).
• 2 Ball Betting:
  Later in tournaments, players hit the course in groups of two. This wager challenges the bettor to choose which group member will finish with the better score.

Advice for Betting on Golf

Before you start your career in golf betting, be sure to spend some time learning the ropes. While this list isn’t complete, it provides some solid advice for beginning and intermediate bettors.

• Know the Courses:
  Each course is different, so it pays to learn as much about them as possible. Most courses have their own websites, so you really have no excuse.
• Know the Strengths of Players:
  Some players can drive the ball a long distance, while others excel on the green. Once you’ve learned a player’s strengths and weaknesses, you can compare it to the course to try and predict their performance.
• Study the Stats:
  There are tons of stats to analyze, including driving accuracy, putting average, and scrambling. You’d be wise to learn them all.
• Watch the Skies:
  Weather, especially wind speed, can play a major factor. Once you know the weather forecast, you can compare it to the strengths of players to see who should excel under those conditions.

Betting on golf is actually a lot more popular among American sports fans than some may guess. Some feel that Tiger Woods helped propel the sport of golf to a more mainstream following, attracting fans that previously did not have much interest in the sport. Whatever the reason, legal golf betting is in high demand and garners the attention of leading oddsmakers.

It is because of the growing momentum of betting on golf that we have created a guide for those in the United States seeking legally licensed and regulated US friendly golf betting destinations. The gambling landscape for US players can be a tricky one, and having accurate and up to date resources regarding the legalities involved in betting on golf and access to legally sanctioned betting sites that accept American players are two components that can keep you on the legal side of betting and ensure an enjoyable and high quality experience. In addition to discussion the legal status of betting on golf in the US, this page also looks at how to read and interpret the odds and what major tournaments and events are prominent in the global golf circuit.

Is betting on golf legal in the US?

There are numerous elements that impact the legal status of betting on golf for American sports bettors. US federal laws play a role in what opportunities are available to US residents, as does the location of the sportsbook business that you are considering bringing your action to. The state in which you reside can even play a part in determining what is and is not legal for you as a gambler (check to see if online gambling is legal in your state). We decided to break it all down for you so that there is no guessing involved and that your course of action comes down to a highly informed decision based on the facts. All the facts are not pretty and wrapped up with a nice bow, but some of them do lean in your favor. Please keep In mind that if you are searching for a definitive legal response to any questions you may have, you should contact an attorney.

There are three primary federal laws which directly impact USA online sports betting and gambling in general for United States Residents: the Federal Wire Act, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), and the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA). Each one addresses a different segment of the US legal gambling market, and we address each one individually in our USA gambling laws section.

To be honest, all of the sportsbooks we recommend to players are extremely reputable. However Bovada seems to be the players choice due to their incredible sports betting interface, generous rewards and fast payouts. Below are a few of the reasons why Bovada is #1 for millions of players.

Pros

• Nearly All American Players Accepted 45/50 States
• Owned And Operated By Bodog Group - Very Reputable
• Fast And Easy Deposits Via Credit Cards
• Live Betting Options And Mobile Wagering App Available
• Generous $250 Match Bonus On First Deposit
• Fast Hassle Free Payouts When You Win

Cons

• Only accepts U.S., Brazil And Mexico Players - No Other Countries Allowed
• Excluded States: NY, NV, NJ, DE, MD

About America's Perception of Golf

By and large, Americans have a very odd relationship with golf. It hasn't earned its placement as a top-four sport in the American landscape, but it ironically cleans up for the oddsmakers. This means while golf might not be exciting enough to earn the same types of sponsors as the NFL or NBA, it is popular enough to exchange billions of dollars in bets every single year. Golf certainly has its stars and its high points. While Tiger Woods has fallen from prominence of late, he is still one of the world's most recognizable sporting figures. There are dozens of professional tours every year, and four Major Championships in golf.

Before you decide to bet on the sport, however, it's important to learn how to stack the betting odds in your favor.

How to Use the Odds to Stack Your Golf Bets in Your Favor

You might be tempted to place a wad of cash down on Tiger Woods or Bubba Watson in any given tournament, but when you're going against the entire field, this is something known in gambling as 'dead money.' It basically means the odds are well out of your favor; it would be akin to picking only one horse on a 30-horse track, or one driver in a NASCAR race. There just isn't any sense in it, in the sense that you don't have the odds in your favor. Instead, look at different betting options in golf.

Let's say that the men are playing on Pebble Beach and you know that Watson typically shoots 5 under part on the back nine there. Well, you don't have to extend your betting past this point. You can find plenty of sites on which you can bet on strictly the back nine, or the front nine, or any single round of three or four rounds. You can even find prop bets for individual holes. So, say Watson's going up against a par 5 on 15, and you know this is one of his best holes. You might be able to bet that he shoots under par and clean up on a bet.

Las Vegas Golf Betting Odds

You can also enter into a four-player set-up known as Acey-Duecy, or you can find head-to-head match-ups with other gamblers. The great thing here is that you can approach this like a card game; e.g. look for gamblers who don't know a lot about golf, and take advantage of their poor betting habits to increase your odds of winning the matches.

The idea is to look around for different bet types that put the odds in your favor. Find something where you're betting only on portions of games or only on individual holes. Try to steer clear of anything that requires you to bet an entire tournament. It's just too risky.

A Brief Look at the Top Golf Tournaments in the US

To discuss the top golf tournaments in America, you don't have to look any farther than the four Major Championships.

The Masters

Taking place in April, the Masters Tournament is an invitation only tournament played at the Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia. The tournament was started by Bobby Jones, one of the most famous golfers ever, and it consists of four, 18-hole rounds and golfers have their scores calculated after 36 holes to see if they've made the cut to continue. After the final two days of play, a winner is crowned and given a green jacket. We just put up a new legal Masters golf betting section to help guide players about the legalities of betting on the Masters, and which sportsbooks are the top rated.

U.S. Open

Open to professionals and amateurs alike, who make the cut, the U.S. Open is another famous PGA tournament. Unlike the Masters, the Open is played on a new course every year, and it consists of four 18-hole rounds. However, a new 18-hole round is held in the event of a tie, rather than a few holes to break it. It is certainly one of the most prestigious tournaments in the world.

Sports Betting Golf

The Open Championship

Although held in the UK and called the British Open, the Open Championship is still technically a PGA tour and thus under the purview of America. It has been played since 1860, and it is considered one of the most difficult courses on which to play. An incredibly large tournament, over 150 golfers are invited to participate in the Open Championship.

PGA Championship

Taking place around Labor Day weekend, the PGA Championship is the last of the major four on tour for the golfers. Started in 1916, we're quickly coming up on the 100 year anniversary of this stellar tournament, and like the Open Championship, over 150 golfers are invited to participate. It's a typical four-round tournament like the rest, but the cuts are harsher and the field is quickly thinned.

Online Golf Games

When betting on golf, remember to keep things smaller so that you'll remain in control. Try to bet on holes and with other players, rather than betting on single golfers to win an entire tournament.