Outrights:
Predicting the winner of a golf tournament is perhaps the most common and thrilling bet in the sport. It offers a unique opportunity for bettors to invest in their favorite players over the course of four days, often at enticing odds. This type of bet is immensely popular and generates considerable excitement due to the potential for significant returns. Successful golf bettors employ various strategies when wagering on outright winners, with approaches differing from one bettor to another and even from one tournament to the next. Some may place numerous outright bets before and during a tournament, while others may focus on different betting markets altogether. In my own experience, my approach to outright betting has evolved over time. While I used to place a large number of outright bets, both pre-tournament and live during events, I now take a more measured approach. I typically limit my outright bets to 2-5 selections per week, complementing them with other bet types to diversify my betting portfolio. For those who wager on golf regularly, it's essential to strike a balance between outright bets and other, potentially more profitable markets. While the allure of a big win is enticing, it's crucial to prioritize sustainable betting strategies that keep your bankroll growing over the long term. Additionally, I'm not averse to hedging my outright bets when necessary, as the ultimate goal is sustained success rather than one-time victories.
Tournament Matchups:
Tournament matchups represent a straightforward and appealing betting market in golf, focusing on a simple question: which golfer will finish with a lower score, Golfer A or Golfer B? This type of bet serves as the foundation of tournament betting for many, offering potential edges due to its direct 1v1 nature compared to betting against an entire field. For me, tournament matchups are the starting point when considering golf bets. They often provide the most significant opportunities for finding value, as you're solely comparing the performance of two individual golfers rather than navigating the complexities of larger fields or groups. However, it's essential to note that not all matchups may be favorable, as oddsmakers carefully select which pairings to offer. As a result, you may not always find matchups that align with your preferred golfer or strategy. Nevertheless, when suitable matchups are available, they serve as a solid foundation upon which to build your betting strategy for the tournament. Tournament matchups represent a straightforward and ap pealing betting market in golf, focusing on a simple question: which golfer will finish with a lower score, Golfer A or Golfer B? This type of bet serves as the foundation of tournament betting for many, offering potential edges due to its direct 1v1 nature compared to betting against an entire field.
Finishing Positions:
Also known as Top 5/Top 10/Top 20/Top 40 finishes, these markets are where I concentrate most of my betting activity. While I'd prefer to bet tournament matchups on every golfer I'm targeting each week, it's not always possible to find favorable matchups for every player. In such cases, I find these finish markets to be the next best alternative. A Top 10/20/40 finish can serve as a suitable substitute for a matchup play, offering similar opportunities for value. Furthermore, these markets offer flexibility in betting strategies. For instance, if I'm eyeing a long shot in the outright market with lower odds of winning, placing a Top 10 bet on them at longer odds can be a prudent move. Additionally, for those of us in the U.S. without access to each-way betting, adding Top 5s to outright plays can provide coverage in case of close finishes. This approach proved beneficial for me in seasons past, where I had outright bets on golfers who finished second or tied for second in numerous events. However, it's crucial to understand the house rules governing these bets, particularly regarding ties. Some books pay ties in full, while others employ "dead heat" rules, which can affect potential payouts. Although books that pay ties in full may offer slightly lower odds, it's essential to be aware of how dead heat rules work and which books apply them when betting on these markets.
Live Betting:
Live betting offers a plethora of opportunities in golf, whether you're aiming to augment or hedge pre-tournament positions, initiate bets on a golfer for the first time, or engage in round-to-round matchups. The ample time between shots provides ample opportunity to place live bets, making it an appealing option for many golf bettors. During most tournaments, I typically seize the chance to add a few live bets and participate in third/fourth-round matchups. To make the most of live betting, I suggest reserving a portion of your pre-tournament bankroll to utilize during the tournament itself. This approach allows for greater flexibility and adaptability in navigating the ever-changing landscape of live golf betting.
First Round Leader:
Depending on your location, you may have access to more sportsbooks offering First Round Leader (FRL) bets than others. Personally, I've found some success in this market over the past few years, and with more shops in Vegas starting to post FRL bets and FRL finishing position markets, I'm considering expanding my betting activity in this area. However, FRL bets may not be suitable for everyone, especially newer bettors. Similar to first-quarter bets in the NBA, FRL bets require a strong sense of short-term recent form. If you believe you have a knack for assessing such form, exploring this market could be worthwhile. In FRL betting, you don't necessarily need a golfer to win the entire tournament; they just need to perform well in the first round to secure a payout. So, if you're like me and tend to favor underdogs or long shots who may not often win tournaments outright, FRL betting offers a unique opportunity to capitalize on their strong starts.
