Miles Bennett
Golf odds are a tricky business, with a massive playing field, a huge number of competitors, and thousands of events to bet on. OddsChecker and BetMGM are popular online portals for golf betting. Golf betting odds can be read in a few ways, with the most popular market being outright markets, where you bet on a golfer to win a tournament. Matchup betting is another popular option, where you can bet on two or three players and compare their scores over a single round or the entire tournament. Parlay betting is another option, where you place a bet on multiple outcomes to occur, but all outcomes must be correct to win. Golf odds are influenced by a variety of factors, including player form, course history, and weather conditions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of bet | Outright, head-to-head, prop, live, parlay |
| Odds format | Plus (+) and minus (-) signs, fractions |
| Odds interpretation | Odds with a plus sign indicate the profit from a $100 bet; odds with a minus sign indicate the amount to wager to profit $100 |
| Odds volatility | Volatile; odds can change by the minute |
| Influencing factors | Bets received, player-related news, weather forecast changes, etc. |
| Betting strategy | Bet on numerous players across different tiers; bet on placement instead of outright |
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What You'll Learn
Understanding odds: minus (-) and plus (+) signs
Odds are shown differently depending on the region and the sportsbook offering them. In the U.K., fractional odds are common, in Australia, you would find decimal odds, and in the U.S., odds are typically presented in the American format.
The minus (-) and plus (+) signs are used in moneyline odds to indicate the favourite and the underdog in a particular betting market. The minus sign represents the favourite, while the plus sign represents the underdog.
In a moneyline bet with a favourite, the odds will have a minus sign (-) in front of the number. This indicates the amount of money you need to risk to win $100. For example, if you see a moneyline bet of -110, you would need to wager $110 to win $100. This is because the team or player is the favourite and has a higher chance of winning.
On the other hand, in a moneyline bet with an underdog, the odds will have a plus sign (+) in front of the number. This indicates the amount of money you will win for a $100 wager. For instance, if you see odds of +200, you would win $200 for a $100 bet. The plus sign indicates that the team or player is not expected to win, and the odds reflect the higher payout if you bet on them.
It is important to note that wagers are not limited to increments of $100. For example, a $1.30 wager on a -130 favourite would win $1, while a $1 bet on a +110 underdog would win $1.10.
Additionally, the odds in golf can vary significantly depending on the event and the field composition. Typical favourites in golf may have odds ranging from +500 to +1500, while longshots can have odds as high as +50000 (500/1).
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Outright betting: wager on a player to win
Outright betting is one of the simplest ways to bet on golf. You are wagering on a player to win a golf tournament outright, meaning they have the lowest score over the 72 holes that the tournament runs for. If your chosen golfer wins, your bet wins. If they don't, your bet loses.
The odds represent the probability of a particular outcome occurring, adjusted for the bookmaker's margin. Odds are presented in various formats, including fractional, decimal, and American. Each format offers a different perspective on the bettor's potential return. For example, fractional odds of 5/1 imply that for every unit wagered, five units will be returned in profit, plus the original stake, if the bet wins. A minus (-) sign in front of odds indicates the amount of money you need to wager to win $100, while a plus (+) sign indicates the amount of money you will win for a $100 wager. Odds can vary from week to week and are adjusted based on factors such as bets received, player-related news, and weather forecast changes.
When participating in outright betting, it's important to conduct thorough research and consider factors such as player form, course history, course layout, and weather conditions. Understanding the dynamics of the betting market itself can also be crucial, as odds shift in response to betting patterns. Placing bets early can lock in higher odds before the market adjusts to changes in player form or public betting patterns. Conversely, waiting until just before the tournament starts can provide the advantage of having the most current information, though this often comes with shorter odds.
Outright betting allows for a long-term interest in the event. Once a bet is placed, you have a golfer to support throughout the tournament, adding an extra layer of excitement to the viewing experience. This type of betting is particularly appealing for golf fans who enjoy following the progress of their favourite players over several days.
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Matchup betting: wager on player performance
Matchup betting, also known as head-to-head betting, is a very popular form of wagering in golf. This is where the odds more closely resemble those seen in other sports. Matchup bets can include two or three players, and their scores are compared over a single round or the entire tournament. For example, you could bet on Dustin Johnson to have a better score than Justin Thomas over the course of a tournament. If Johnson's odds are -110, you would need to bet $11 to win $10. The "-110" is known as the "juice", which is the tax that sportsbooks charge for placing a wager.
In head-to-head matchups, both golfers must tee off for bets to be valid. If a player withdraws from the tournament after teeing off, their opponent will automatically be considered the winner of the matchup. If one player misses the cut, their opponent is deemed the winner. If both players miss the cut, the player with the lower score wins. If both players are tied with the same score when the tournament ends, all moneyline wagers will be refunded. However, if the players tie for 1st place, a playoff will be used to determine the winner of the moneyline, unless you are betting on a designated "72 holes" market.
Matchup betting is a great way to wager on player performance. It is a very good way to bet when two players within the same odds range are playing against each other. When wagering on player performance, it is important to consider a golfer's current form, their past performance on that particular course, and how the course is laid out. For example, you can bet on whether a player will make a hole-in-one, or on other milestones like getting a predetermined number of birdies.
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Place markets: wager on top-ranking players
Golf betting offers a wide variety of options due to the large number of competitors, the massive playing field, and the thousands of actionable events happening in quick succession.
Given the high number of competitors in golf tournaments, it is common to see place markets. In place markets, odds are shorter, but it is more likely for a player to finish in the top 5, 10, 20, 30, or 40 on the leaderboard. While some sportsbooks pay these bets in full, others apply a "dead heat rule" if two or more players are tied for the final specified bet cut-off. So, be aware that your potential profits could be lowered in this case.
If you want to wager on a top-ranking player, you can place golf futures bets on potential outcomes. The most popular golf futures markets tend to be prospective winners of future majors or the winner of the next Ryder Cup. It is also possible to place wagers on the number of majors a golfer will win in their career.
When betting on a favourite, the odds will typically have a minus (-) sign in front of them. This indicates the amount of money you need to risk to win $100. For example, at -120 odds, you would need to stake $120 to profit $100 and get the same $220 in return. This scales with your unit size. So, if you bet $10 at +120, you profit $12 and get $22 back.
Leading favourites and contenders' golf odds from FanDuel Sportsbook refresh periodically and are subject to change. For example, Scottie Scheffler was the favourite to win The Players Championship 2025 tournament. He was +1000, or 10/1 two years ago, and last year his odds were +550 pre-tournament. However, his odds lengthened during the tournament before he fired a 64 to finish -20 under par and secure a 1-stroke win.
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Live betting: wager on players on a specific hole
Live betting on golf is an exciting way to wager on the sport, with the advantage of being able to watch how a player is performing before placing a bet.
Live Betting on a Specific Hole
Live betting includes wagering on a player's performance on a specific hole. For example, during bigger tournaments, sportsbooks may offer odds on whether a certain player will birdie the 16th hole.
Types of Live Bets
There are several types of live bets you can make on golf:
- Outright Winner: Betting on a player to win the tournament.
- Head-to-Head Matchups: Wagering on one player to outperform another.
- Proposition Bets: Betting on specific outcomes, such as whether a player will hit a hole-in-one or their score on a particular hole.
- Live Over/Under: Wagering on certain performance metrics, such as the total strokes in a round.
Odds Formats
It's important to understand how odds are displayed, as they can be shown differently depending on the region. In the UK, fractional odds are common, while in Australia, you'll find decimal odds. In the US, the standard format is American odds.
For example, fractional odds may be displayed as 10/1 or 6/5. To calculate your profit, multiply your bet amount by the fraction. So, a $100 bet at 10/1 odds would return $1,010 ($100 x 10, plus your initial stake).
Decimal odds, on the other hand, are displayed as a whole number with a two-place decimal, like 2.20 or 10.00.
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Frequently asked questions
Golf odds refer to the betting odds offered on golf tournaments.
Some common types of golf bets include outright betting, where you wager on a player to win the tournament; head-to-head or matchup betting, where you bet on the best-performing player among a group; and prop bets, which are usually offered on specific holes or rounds.
Golf odds are typically presented as positive or negative values, indicated by a plus (+) or minus (-) sign, respectively. A plus sign indicates the profit you would make on a $100 bet, while a minus sign indicates the amount you need to wager to win $100. For example, odds of +1000 mean you would win $1000 for every $100 bet. Odds of -100 mean you need to wager $100 to win $100.
Golf odds can fluctuate due to various factors, including the number of competitors, player form, course conditions, weather, and motivating factors such as FedExCup points or invitations to prestigious tournaments.
To maximise your returns, consider factors beyond an outright win. For example, you can wager on a player to finish in the top 5, 10, or 20, depending on what the sportsbook offers. Additionally, keep an eye on golfers whose odds are changing, as this may indicate a shift in their perceived likelihood of winning.
