Ava Romero
DraftKings is the official daily fantasy game of the PGA Tour, offering a variety of golf bets and contests to choose from. The two main types of DFS golf contests on DraftKings are Guaranteed Prize Pools (GPPs) and Cash games. In GPPs, a small portion of the player pool finishes in the money with top-heavy prizes, while cash games pay out half of the player pool double their investment. There are also tournament props and player props, such as wagering on a player scoring an albatross or hole-in-one. When wagering, it's important to consider factors like course history, scoring difficulty, grass types, player form, and weather conditions. Points are earned based on how your players score throughout the tournament, with eagles, birdies, and pars increasing your total score. This paragraph provides an introduction to the topic of how to win at DraftKings golf, covering the different types of contests, wagering options, and strategies to consider.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Base salary | $50,000 |
| Number of players in the lineup | 6 |
| Player pricing range | $6,000 - $11,000 |
| Contest types | Guaranteed Prize Pools (GPPs) and Cash games |
| Examples of Cash games | Double ups and 50/50s |
| Popular wager | Outright tournament winner |
| Factors influencing the outcome of a tournament | Course history, scoring difficulty, grass types, player form, weather, unreported injuries |
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What You'll Learn
Understand the two main types of DFS golf contests: GPPs and Cash games
There are two main types of DFS golf contests on DraftKings: Guaranteed Prize Pools (GPPs) and Cash games. GPPs are large contests with thousands of players and a top-heavy pay structure. They are comparable to multi-table tournaments (MTTs) in poker. GPPs generally feature a small portion of the player pool finishing in the money, with high prizes. For example, during golf's major events, DraftKings highlights "Millionaire Maker" contests.
GPP lineups are built around scoring the most points possible. These contests are exciting but come with a high risk, high reward format. There is no one formula to guarantee winnings in a GPP tournament, but there are strategies to consider when constructing your roster.
Cash games, on the other hand, are the inverse of these bigger tournaments. They are lower risk, lower reward formats that are great for beginners to learn the ropes and improve their odds of making money. Cash games are comparable to ring (cash) games in poker. These typically include "double ups" and "50/50s", where half of the player pool will be paid out double their investment. For instance, if 20 players invested $10, the top 10 would be paid out $20 each.
Cash lineups are about finding safe plays to outscore just half of your opponents. When playing in a cash game, it is recommended to take fewer risks and elevate your scoring floor with players who consistently perform well. This can include quarterbacks who rank high in pass attempts or running backs who see a high percentage of the team's carries.
When deciding between a GPP or a cash game, it is beneficial for beginners to start with smaller contests. These tend to have a lower maximum number of entries, making it easier to compete. Examples include single-entry and 3-max contests, which limit the number of lineups each player can enter.
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Know how points are earned and lost
Knowing how points are earned and lost is essential to winning at DraftKings golf. The most popular wager in golf is betting on the outright tournament winner, or the player with the lowest score at the end of the tournament. Any players tied for first place will compete in a playoff to determine the sole winner. You can also wager on a player finishing within the top 5, 10, 20, 30, or 40 on the tournament leaderboard. If two or more competitors tie for the final position of the specified leaderboard cutoff, your stake is proportionally reduced. For example, if you bet on a golfer to finish in the top 5 and they tie for 5th place with two other golfers, there are now technically 7 golfers in the top 5, resulting in a lower return on your bet.
There are two main types of DFS golf contests on DraftKings: Guaranteed Prize Pools (GPPs) and Cash games. GPP lineups aim to score the most points possible, while cash lineups focus on finding safe plays to outperform half of the opponents. Points are earned based on how your players score throughout the tournament. Eagles, birdies, and pars will increase your total score, with bonus points for aces, birdie streaks, and bogey-free rounds. A player's position in the event also carries points. However, bogeys or worse will lower your score.
When placing bets, it's important to consider various factors that can affect the outcome of a golf tournament. The weather, for instance, can play a significant role, as some golfers handle adverse conditions better than others. Checking the weather radar before wagering is a recommended practice. Additionally, factors like course history, scoring difficulty, grass types, recent and long-term player form, and unreported injuries can influence tournament results.
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Consider the weather
Weather is a critical factor that can significantly impact the outcome of a golf tournament and, consequently, your DraftKings wagers. Rain and wind can be detrimental to players' performance, with some golfers able to navigate these adverse conditions better than others. Therefore, it is essential to consider the weather conditions before placing your bets.
Checking the weather radar in advance is a prudent strategy, as it enables you to anticipate potential challenges that players may encounter during the tournament. This proactive approach can help you make more informed decisions about which golfers to wager on, as you can factor in their historical performance in similar weather conditions. Those with a proven track record of adapting well to rain or wind may be more reliable choices when the forecast calls for inclement weather.
Additionally, monitoring weather changes throughout the tournament is advisable. The weather during a golf tournament can be unpredictable and rapidly changing. By staying abreast of weather updates, you can anticipate potential disruptions or advantages for specific golfers and adjust your wagers accordingly. This proactive approach ensures that you are responsive to the dynamic nature of the game and can leverage your knowledge of players' performances in varying weather conditions.
When considering the weather, it is also worth noting that different grass types react differently to moisture. Some grasses may become slippery or retain water more than others, affecting ball speed and spin. Understanding the grass type of the course and how it interacts with the weather can provide valuable insights into the potential challenges golfers may face and help you make more strategic choices when constructing your lineup.
By incorporating weather considerations into your decision-making process, you can enhance your chances of success in DraftKings golf wagers. Weather conditions introduce an element of unpredictability that can work in your favour if you are well-informed and strategic. This knowledge will enable you to navigate the volatile nature of the sport and make more confident selections aligned with the prevailing weather patterns.
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Analyse player form
Analysing player form is a critical aspect of making informed wagers in DraftKings golf. Here are some key considerations for assessing player form:
- Recent Player Form: Pay close attention to a golfer's recent performance in the lead-up to the tournament. Look for consistent results, recent wins, or notable improvements in their game. Recent form can indicate who's on an upward trajectory and likely to perform well.
- Long-Term Form: Consider a golfer's performance over the entire season or even across multiple seasons. Long-term form can reveal a player's consistency, resilience, and ability to maintain a high level of play over an extended period. It can also help identify golfers who may be peaking at the right time, such as those who tend to perform better towards the end of the season.
- Course History: Analyse a player's historical performance on the specific course where the upcoming tournament will be held. Some golfers may have a strong track record on certain courses due to their familiarity with the layout, comfort level, and past successes. Consider factors such as their scoring average, number of wins or top-10 finishes, and any notable achievements they've had on that course.
- Scoring Difficulty: Evaluate the difficulty of the courses a player has recently played on or typically performs well on. Some golfers may excel on more challenging courses, while others may shine on relatively easier layouts. Compare the course difficulty to the upcoming tournament's venue to gauge whether a player's past performance is likely to translate into a strong showing in the upcoming event.
- Grass Types: Different golfers have varying levels of comfort and expertise when it comes to playing on different grass types, such as Bermuda, Bentgrass, or Rye grass. Analyse a player's form on specific grass types to determine if they have a notable preference or advantage on the grass that will be featured in the tournament.
- Weather Conditions: Consider a golfer's ability to perform in various weather conditions. Check their performance in tournaments with similar expected conditions, including wind and rain, as these can significantly impact a player's game. Some golfers may excel in adverse weather, while others may struggle, so factoring in weather conditions can help you make more strategic choices.
By thoroughly analysing these aspects of player form, you can make more informed decisions when building your DraftKings golf lineup and increase your chances of winning.
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Understand how dead-heat returns work
Understanding dead-heat returns is crucial when participating in DraftKings golf contests. A dead heat occurs when two or more participants finish exactly even, a term that originated from racing but is commonly applied in golf betting.
In the context of DraftKings golf, dead heat rules come into play when there is a tie among golfers in specific markets, such as Top 5s, Top 10s, Top 20s, 3-ball matchups, and first-round leaders. When a dead heat situation arises, it can impact your returns significantly.
Here's how it works: if you placed a bet on a golfer to finish in the top 20 and they end up in a tie with other golfers for that position, your returns will be affected. Let's say you bet on a golfer with odds of 1.57 to finish in the top 20. If there is a 2-way tie for that position, your returns will be calculated as if you placed a bet directly on that golfer at reduced odds. In this case, your odds of 1.57 would be multiplied by a fraction, resulting in a lower payout than if the golfer had finished outright in the top 20.
The exact calculation depends on the number of golfers tied and the specific places they tie for. For example, if there is a 3-way tie for 20th place, it effectively creates three different legs: the winner at 20th place and the losers for 21st and 22nd place. Your stake will be divided by the number of tied golfers relative to the spots available, which can result in a substantial decrease in your returns.
It's important to note that not all sportsbooks handle dead-heat rules in the same way. While most books will apply dead-heat rules and cut your stake, others like BetMGM choose to pay out ties in full without applying these rules, although their odds for certain markets might be less favourable. Therefore, it's essential to understand the specific rules and odds offered by different sportsbooks before placing your bets.
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Frequently asked questions
There are two main types of DFS golf contests on DraftKings: Guaranteed Prize Pools (GPPs) and Cash games. GPP lineups are built around scoring the most points possible, while cash lineups focus on finding safe plays to outperform your opponents.
Standard DraftKings golf contests feature a base salary of $50,000, from which you must build a six-player lineup. Players are priced from high to low based on their odds of winning or returning value. The highest-priced players typically range from $10,000 to $11,000, while the cheapest players start at $6,000.
Points are earned based on how your players perform throughout the tournament. Eagles, birdies, and pars will increase your total score, with bonus points for aces, birdie streaks, and bogey-free rounds. Conversely, bogeys or worse will lower your score.
There are many factors that can influence the outcome of a golf tournament. Some of these include course history, scoring difficulty, grass types, recent and long-term player form, weather conditions, and unreported injuries. Additionally, it is important to consider the type of wager you want to place, such as the popular "moneyline" bet on the outright tournament winner or prop bets offered by DraftKings.
