How to Bet on Golf Online 2025
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Last Updated: 28 July, 2025
Golf betting is growing fast and for good reason.
With events happening nearly every week and longshot winners always in play, golf offers some of the best value on sports betting sites.
How to bet on golf tournaments
When betting on golf tournaments, you're usually wagering on four-round events like those on the PGA Tour.
Each tournament has dozens of betting options, but here are the most common:
How to bet on golf online
Getting started with online golf betting is quick and easy.
Here’s how we recommend doing it:
Types of golf bets
Whether you're new or experienced, understanding the different types of golf bets can help you make smarter picks.
Here are the main ones we use and recommend on golf sportsbooks:
Outright Winner: This is the most popular bet: picking who will win the tournament. With big fields, even the favorites come with long odds, offering big payouts for a single win.
Top Finishes (Top 5, 10, 20, etc.): These bets are safer than outright winners. You're backing a player to finish within a certain range, like the top 10. The odds are shorter, but the hit rate is higher, great for consistent performers.
Matchups (Head-to-Head or Group): Here, you're betting on one golfer to beat another, or finish ahead in a group of 3–5 players. These are easier to follow and offer more manageable risk.
Round Leader Bets: Bet on which player will lead after a specific round. This is ideal for players who tend to start strong, even if they fade later in the tournament.
Each-Way Bets: An each-way bet is two wagers: one on a player to win, and one on them to finish in a top spot (like top 5). It’s a smart way to hedge your outright picks.
Nationality or Group Props: Pick which golfer from a specific country, region, or group will post the best score. These bets let you narrow your focus and find value in mid-tier players.
Golf Futures: These are long-term bets on events like The Masters or Ryder Cup. Odds are posted far in advance, so timing can be key.
Golf Parlays: Combine multiple golf picks into one bet for a bigger payout. Just remember: all legs must win for the parlay to hit.
Understanding the strengths of each bet type helps you build a smarter golf betting strategy, one that fits your goals and risk level.
How golf odds work
Understanding golf betting odds is key to making smart picks.
Most US sportsbooks use American odds, which show how much you’ll win based on a $100 bet.
Positive odds (like +800) mean the golfer is an underdog. If you bet $100 at +800, you’d profit $800 if that golfer wins.
These high payouts reflect the long-shot nature of most golf bets, especially outright winners.
Negative odds (like -150) mean the golfer is a favorite. You’d have to bet $150 to win $100.
These usually show up in head-to-head matchups or top-10 finish bets for elite players.
Odds move based on betting volume, injuries, weather, and recent player form.
For example, if a golfer plays well in back-to-back tournaments, their odds to win the next event might tighten from +2500 to +1200.
Reading the odds helps you spot value.
Whether you’re betting on a +500 favorite or a +3000 longshot, knowing the return makes a difference.
Golf betting strategy and tips
We’ve tested dozens of angles over the years. These are the golf betting strategies we trust most and still use every week.
Focus on course history: Some players just fit certain courses. We always check past results before placing a bet, especially on tracks with unique layouts or fast greens.
Track recent form: Golf is streaky. A player with three straight top-20s is trending upward, even if they’re not a household name.
Fade the favorites in big fields: With over 100 players in most events, betting a favorite to win at +400 rarely offers value. We usually look deeper, +1000 to +2500 range, for players with strong stats but lower exposure.
Watch the weather: Rain, wind, and tee-time splits can change everything. We check forecasts daily to find early edges, especially for round-leader or matchup bets.
Stick to your strengths: Some weeks, we focus only on matchups. Others, we build a position across finishing bets. It’s better to go deep in one market than spread yourself thin.
Golf betting rewards research, timing, and discipline. With the right prep, you don’t need to hit outrights every week to stay profitable.
Live betting on golf
Live golf betting adds a whole new layer of excitement.
Odds shift in real time based on every shot, swing, and leaderboard move.
It’s perfect if you want to react mid-round instead of locking everything in early.
You can bet on adjusted outright winners, round scores, hole-by-hole results, or updated matchups as play unfolds.
If a strong player starts slow, the live odds may rise, giving you a chance to grab value others missed.
We often use live betting to hedge pre-tournament picks or double down on players heating up.
Just be sure to act fast; odds can change between swings.
Most online books update golf odds quickly, especially during majors or final rounds.
It’s one of the best ways to stay active and adapt your bets throughout a tournament.
Weather: How conditions affect golf bets
Weather can ruin even the best bets.
Rain lengthens courses, wind punishes high-ball hitters, and cold temps shorten distance.
We always track:
Wind speed & direction
Rain forecasts
Temperature changes
AM vs. PM tee times
This helps us decide when to bet or fade players based on conditions, especially in early rounds.
Betting by round in golf
Each round creates new angles.
Some players start hot, whilst others grind late.
Look for:
First-round leader bets
18-hole head-to-heads
Daily scoring props
Live odds after each round
Bettors who study trends by round can adjust faster than sportsbooks.
Top golf tournaments to bet on
The PGA Tour offers events nearly every week, but some tournaments stand out for betting thanks to big-name fields, large markets, and consistent data.
The Masters: Held every April at Augusta National, The Masters is golf’s most iconic tournament. It’s also the most predictable, same course, same traditions, making it a favorite for experienced bettors.
US Open: This is a true test of skill, often played on brutally tough courses. Betting markets here can expose players who thrive under pressure or those who struggle when par is a good score.
The Open Championship (British Open): Played on links courses, often in windy conditions, The Open rewards smart betting. We look for golfers with strong ball control and a history of playing well in Europe.
PGA Championship: The field is always deep, and the courses rotate. We rely heavily on course research and recent form when betting this major.
The Ryder Cup & President’s Cup: These team events have unique formats like match play and alternate shot. With patriotic matchups and emotional swings, betting them feels more like wagering on football than stroke play.
FedExCup Playoffs: With the season on the line, players fight for big money and legacy. The playoff pressure creates real volatility, perfect for sharp bettors watching live.
These tournaments not only bring the best players, but also the best betting value, with more props, matchups, and live markets than regular events.
Frequently asked questions
You can view our dedicated page for more information on how we test and review sportsbooks.
Additionally, you can view all of our sportsbook reviews for the top platforms you can bet on golf online.
How to bet on golf betting sites responsibly
Although knowing your sports helps, betting is primarily luck-based, so use these top tips to practice responsible gambling when placing a bet:
Limits: Betting sites allow you to set betting limits, i.e. limit how much you can bet in a day, a week, or a month.
Cashouts: You can withdraw your winnings quite easily from any betting site, which prevents you from spending all of your winnings.
Help & resources: Betting platforms provide access to resources for problem gamblers and point them to organizations that can help with gambling addiction.
To help with gambling, we created a 'How To Bet On Sports' guide that helps new sports bettors understand the industry better, to play safer and more securely.
Problem gambling organizations and charities in the US
Why you can trust us
At Sporting Post, we prioritize accuracy, objectivity, and transparency in every piece of content we write.
Our expert team conducts thorough, real-world testing of betting platforms, ensuring reviews and insights are unbiased and reliable from a human perspective.
We adhere to strict ethical standards, maintaining editorial independence and avoiding conflicts of interest, while regularly updating our content to reflect the latest trends and developments.
Our mission is to empower bettors with trustworthy information, backed by rigorous research and a commitment to responsible gambling.
You can trust us to provide clear, concise, and honest advice, helping you make informed betting decisions.
Editorial policy
Our editorial policy ensures thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content through strict sourcing standards and diligent review by top betting experts and seasoned editors.
This process maintains the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.
References
To test betting site products accurately, we dive into analytical research of the betting industry, so we understand what features are best for you.
Below are some of the references we use when making such decisions:
https://wsb.wharton.upenn.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Beggy_2023__Betting_Kelly.pdf
https://sc.edu/uofsc/posts/2024/01/stephen-shapiro-sports-gambling.php
Contributors
Bradley Gibbs
Author
With over 12 years of experience, Bradley Gibbs is a seasoned sports betting writer and analyst specializing in uncovering value bets across football, horse racing, tennis, and golf.
His extensive coverage of these sports has been featured on numerous websites and in The Racing & Football Outlook, a renowned UK betting publication.
Bradley's expertise lies in identifying betting edges and delivering insightful, data-driven content for informed wagering.
Josh Miller
Reviewed By
Josh Miller, Sporting Post’s Sports & Casino Editor, brings over five years of experience in feature writing, blogging, and SEO.
With a strong background in football coverage and sports betting, his work has been featured in VAVEL.
Josh also writes extensively about online casinos, providing expert insights into games, bonuses, and gambling trends.
His engaging and informative content makes him a reliable resource for Sporting Post readers.