The Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) Tour is not only a premier global golf event but also a major attraction in the world of sports betting. With its weekly tournaments, star-studded lineups, and ever-changing dynamics, the PGA provides many opportunities for fans and bettors. As golf’s popularity grows, so does the number of new fans eager to participate in the action by placing bets.
However, the sheer number of betting options can be overwhelming for newcomers. Understanding the types of bets and how they work is essential to enjoying a positive and potentially profitable experience. This guide breaks down the best PGA bets for beginners, making it easier to start in the exciting world of golf wagering.
The Basics of Sports Betting in Golf
Before exploring specific bet types, it’s important to understand some fundamental sports betting terms—a good starting point for anyone exploring platforms like FanDuel golf, where odds, lines, and formats follow standard industry conventions.
- Odds: Represent the likelihood of a particular outcome and determine your potential payout. In golf, odds are usually displayed in American format (e.g., +300 or -120).
- Moneyline: A straight-up bet on who will win. If a golfer is listed at +500, a $100 bet would win $500 if they win.
- Over/Under: In golf, this might refer to a player’s score relative to par or total strokes in a round.
Unlike team sports, golf is an individual-based event with many players competing simultaneously, making the betting landscape unique. Here’s a quick overview of how betting works in golf:
- Bettors can wager on the outright winner of a tournament, who will finish in the top 5 or top 10, or how players will perform against each other.
- Bets are often placed before the tournament, though live betting during play is increasingly popular.
The Top PGA Bets for Beginners
Certain types of PGA wagers are more beginner-friendly for those just starting out in golf betting due to their simplicity and lower risk. Understanding these foundational bet types is a great way to build confidence and ease into golf wagering.
Match Bets
Match bets are one of the simplest forms of golf betting and a perfect entry point for beginners. In a match bet, you select two golfers and wager on which one will finish with the better score by the end of the tournament. It’s important to note that this bet doesn’t rely on either player winning the tournament outright—only on how they perform relative to each other.
This makes it much easier to research and predict, as your focus narrows to just two individuals. Match bets are less risky than picking a tournament winner and are straightforward to understand, requiring minimal analysis compared to more complex betting formats.
For example, you might place a wager on Rory McIlroy to finish ahead of Jon Rahm in a tournament’s final standings. This direct, one-on-one comparison simplifies decision-making and keeps things manageable for new bettors.
Futures Bets
Futures bets involve placing a wager on an outcome that will be determined later, often far before the event itself. Common futures bets in golf include predicting who will win a major tournament, such as the Masters or the U.S. Open, or selecting the PGA Tour Player of the Year.
These bets appeal to new fans because they usually require only a small investment and offer the potential for large payouts if the prediction comes true. They also encourage longer-term engagement with the sport, as you have a reason to follow a player or tournament across several weeks or months.
Stay updated with FanDuel PGA Latest Updates and other reliable sources that can provide helpful context around player momentum, field changes, and relevant news that inform your understanding of the season as it unfolds. While futures bets carry more uncertainty due to the time and variables involved, they can be a fun and rewarding way for beginners to stay connected to the sport over the season.
Prop Bets (Proposition Bets)
Proposition bets, commonly known as prop bets, are wagers placed on specific events or outcomes that occur within a tournament but are not directly tied to who wins. These bets can cover many possibilities, such as whether a hole-in-one will happen during the event, whether a particular player will cut, or the winning score.
Prop bets are ideal for beginners because they don’t require deep knowledge of player performance or rankings. Instead, they add entertainment to watching a tournament, making it popular among casual fans.
For example, a beginner might enjoy betting on whether Tiger Woods will cut The Masters. Since these bets focus on specific moments or milestones, they provide opportunities to stay engaged without the need for complex research or long-term strategy.
Tournament Bets
Tournament bets allow you to wager on various outcomes within a specific event, beyond just who wins the tournament. These bets might include choosing a player to finish in the top 5, 10, or 20, predicting who will lead after a particular round, or selecting the top-finishing player from a certain country or region.
This type of bet is beginner-friendly because it allows for more flexibility and multiple paths to success. Even if the player you bet on doesn’t win the tournament, you can still win your wager if they meet one of the other performance criteria. Tournament bets also help spread risk and create strategic betting opportunities throughout the event.
For instance, you might bet Collin Morikawa will finish in the top 10 at The Open Championship. This kind of wager keeps fans invested in various aspects of the leaderboard and offers more ways to win, which makes it an excellent choice for those just starting to explore PGA betting.
Final Words
Getting started with PGA betting doesn’t have to be intimidating. Understanding the different types of bets—from simple matchups to exciting prop bets—can make the experience enjoyable and potentially rewarding for new golf fans.
Remember, betting on golf should enhance your enjoyment of the sport, not create stress. With practice, research, and the right strategy, you’ll get better at betting and gain a deeper appreciation for the incredible depth and drama that PGA golf offers.
