Golf betting has been getting a lot more attention online than ever. Digital sportsbooks are particularly successful in their coverage of golf, so we are constantly seeing interest in the sport grow. But, before people start to place their bets, they should do some research.
With so many newbies on board, many might not know where to start. That is why we are here. In this article, we’d like to share some of the best starting points, for those who are interested in golf betting. Without further ado, let us delve into the main topic.
Know the Odds
First thing is first, bettors must be familiar with how the odds makers work. As things stand right now, might come across three distinct types of golf odds; decimal, fractional, and moneyline. The differences between them are not as complicated as you may think, but learning a bit about them is necessary.
Moneyline odds are most common in the USA, and they involve negative and positive numbers. The negative number represents the favorite, and tells you the wager you need to make in order to win $100. On the other hand, the positive number is the underdog, and denotes how much you can win with a $100 bet.
Decimal and fractional odds are popular in Europe and the United Kingdom respectively. Here, the lower numbers represent the favorites, while the higher ones represent the underdogs. Understanding more about betting odds is key, so we would recommend doing some independent research before you start betting.
Know the Players
Knowing the best golf players is also a big deal. Certainly, many are familiar with Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus. These are some of the greatest golfers of all time, and their contributions to the sport cannot be denied. But, knowing about retired players doesn’t do much good for modern betting.
In order to stay ahead of the competition, you should look into who the top-ranked golfers of 2025 are. You will certainly come across names like Hideki Matsuyama, Scottie Scheffler, and Rory McIlroy. These are people ranked in the top five golfers today, and some of them may just be the next Jack Nicklaus.
Learning about these players’ style and accomplishments is important, because odds makers are not infallible. Sometimes, even the experts might miss out on something that a long-time fan has spotted. So, knowing more about the players increases your chances. That being said, there is a downside to this way of thinking.
Know your Limits
Often, long-time players can get a bit egotistical about their knowledge and love for the sport. This leads to them believing that they always know better than the odds makers, which leads to an “Us vs. Them” mentality. Betting fans should do their best to avoid this kind of thinking.
If you go into a sportsbook with the idea that you are going to “beat the odds” then you’ve already lost. While it is possible that the odds makers got something wrong, more often than not, they know what they are doing. They are professionals after all. So, usually, it is best to bet with the odds, rather than against them.