Golf is an incredibly popular sport and the four majors regularly attract global audiences. Those who follow the sport all-year round enjoy the action on the fairway with tournaments taking place around the world on both the PGA and European Tour.

It is also an extremely popular betting proposition for many punters and the possibility of securing huge returns for small stakes is all part of its appeal for bettors. You don’t have to be a golf fanatic to improve your wagering on the tournament as there are a number of techniques which can be deployed to increase your chances of making a profit on the sport. We take a look at how to bet intelligently on golf and our advice and tips will hopefully help you make wiser decisions before placing a wager:
Things to Consider

Current Form
Current form is a vitally important aspect of betting on golf. You always need to assess a player’s confidence ahead of any tournament. Competitors are always likely to go through barren spells and they will make mistakes. It is important to only wager on players who have been progressing well in recent weeks and chalking up top ten finishes at warm-up tournaments.
Players can also be affected by personal circumstances and if you hear of any player having trouble in their personal life, avoid betting on them! Rory McIlroy’s form was indifferent during his final few months of dating tennis player Caroline Wozniacki and he returned to focus on his game once the engagement had been called off. Likewise, if any player is having to deal with a family illness, this may not leave them at their peak for upcoming tournaments.
With the growth of social media, it is easier than ever before to find information about player’s well-being and any players who may also be suffering from a slight injury are best avoided.

Horses for Courses
Similar to many other sports, players will always flourish at particular courses. Anyone who has played the sport will understand the logistics behind this concept. Sometimes, your style just suits a particular course. Always look for a player’s previous results at any given course and if they are making their debut at this particular venue, try and find their record at similarly laid-out courses.
It amazing how often a player suddenly improves when competing at their favoured course. This is a major element of betting on professional golf and should never be overlooked.
Regions can also play their part. Some players favour a home crowd and will always thrive if they’ve got plenty of support behind them. On the contrary, a partisan home crowd can also have absolutely no affect whatsoever on a player. It’s always worth checking how each player fares in their home country or town.

Grass/Surface
Golf courses can greatly vary in layout but different types of grass is also another aspect of the varied nature of being a professional golfer on the tour. Bent Grass, Bermuda Grass and Poa Annua Grass are just three of the different types of surface available and every single player will have their preference. It’s always worth doing some extra research and ensuring that your selected player has decent form on each of these turfs. Courses in South Africa and the US are usually the most varied.

Weather/Conditions
It’s always difficult to predict the weather forecast and even the forecasters get it wrong from time-to-time but if you can gauge an idea of the conditions ahead of any given tournament, it is always a significant help when it comes to wagering.

Some players don’t mind the sweltering conditions whilst others are less effective in a tropical climate. If it’s unseasonably hot, players who thrive in these conditions are generally better bets. Wind also plays a significant part and a number of players will often struggle with anything above a light breeze.

Targeted Tournaments
Many players will slug it out on a weekly basis, playing every single event thrown up by the tour in order to secure a comfortable living but there are a number of competitors who can pick and choose their events throughout the season.

Those who are comfortable with their annual income can take time off to do some travelling, relax and spend time with their family and these are often the most formidable players at the major tournaments. Whilst they must ensure they are in the right frame of mind, avoiding stress, worry and excessive commuting should help a player relax into their game and they are often likely to progress deep into the tournament.

Golf Betting Markets

Tournament Winner
This is the most straightforward market available and by far the most popular. Simply predict which player will triumph at the tournament. You can also bet on this market in-play once the competition has got underway. Big odds are available in this market and it is possible to take four or five players [depending on the price] and still make a profit if one of them comes home in front.

Each Way
Online bookmakers will establish their each-way terms clearly ahead of the tournament so it’s always advised to check these before placing a bet. Wagering each-way gives you a safety blanket and allows your chosen player to finish 2nd, 3rd,4th and often 5th and you’ll still make a small profit if your player comes close without completing the job. For each-way betting, the bigger price, the greater the returns.

Top 10/Top 20
There are a huge number of different markets available on each tournament and backing a player to finish in the top ten or twenty is commonplace in golf betting. It’s a great way of picking an outsider to have a decent tournament and make an impact. Players who often trouble these position whilst rarely winning are known as ‘cheque collectors’ and are extremely handy to back in these markets. Many players will plod along and increasingly make the cut but fail to threaten the top five and they often fly under the radar of the bookmakers.
As long as your player finishes within these positions, you will be paid out.

First Round Leader
A market that has become incredibly popular over the last couple of years and is a great way of making money before the tournament has reached the business end. Some players have a habit of starting quickly before fading during the crucial stages and these are ideal for this market. Those who get underway early in the day can often be good bets in this market as the green is in pristine condition and the lunchtime sun is often shining.
If your player is leading the way following the conclusion of the first round, you will be paid out. It is possible to take a couple of selections in this market and still make a profit.

Match Bets
Many online bookmakers have the tendency to pair together two players who they believe will be closely matched. These are called ‘Match Bets’ and require the punter to select which of the duo will finish higher in the final standings. This is a great way of removing the remainder of the field from the equation and purely focus on just two players. It cuts down on research time and good prices are still available on this market.

Tips and Strategies
There are a number of techniques which can be implement to improve your betting on golf:
• Be selective with your tournaments. You don’t have to bet on EVERY single tournament
• Always do your research! Look at a players past performance at this course/region and their record on this type of grass
• Consider different markets. You don’t have to wait until Sunday for your pay-out. There are hundreds of different markets available which make it easier than ever before to find an alternative to a tournament winner bet.
• Wager according to your confidence. Don’t invest heavily in streaky and inconsistent players
• Always check the weather conditions pre-tournament
• Don’t rush into placing a wager. If a tournament is about to get underway, it may be best to wait until the first round is complete before betting in-play rather than making a rash decision due to lack of time.