How to Bet on Golf: The Complete Guide to Markets, Odds & Strategy 2025
- Top Golf bet types and smart strategies
- Key factors for building winning strategies
- Flashscore tools for live data and research
Richard Trenchard
Last updated 6 Sept 2025
Golf betting continues to be one of the most popular activities for UK bettors, with the sport offering a number of unique aspects over a number of days of play. Tournaments are held all year round, with many being extremely prestigious. Many enjoy betting on The Masters, PGA Championship, The Open, and US Open, as well as the Ryder Cup, because of what they symbolise.
Table of contents
- 1.Best Bookmakers for Betting on Golf
- 2.The Most Popular Golf Bets Explained
- 3.How to Analyse a Golf Tournament: A Strategy Guide
- 4.The Flashscore Advantage: Your Essential Golf Research Tool
- 5.A Guide to Live Betting on Golf
Best Bookmakers for Betting on Golf
Looking for the best golf odds? You need to use the best betting sites that provide them! Flashscore continues to provide readers with sites that fit this criteria.
When wagering with the recommended top golf betting sites, you can access several key features. Live golf betting is possible, with many of the top golf betting markets available. Using our recommended sites will allow you to place each-way bets, enjoy in-play betting across many diverse props, and so much more!
Coral offers all new customers a welcome bonus free bet when creating an account through this page, and betting on one of the many sports, competition...
Launched in the UK in 2024, 7bet is a new entry to the sportsbook market. They are entirely legal as the UK Gambling Commission licenses them. Our 7be...
Betway is one of the biggest sportsbooks in the UK. They are licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission and have been in business since 2006...
Betano is a legal and licensed sportsbook currently accepting new players in the UK. Is it a bookmaker worth joining? Flashscore’s Frank Monkhouse pro...
Ladbrokes was founded in 1886, making it one of the oldest names in sports betting worldwide. The company is deep-rooted in UK and Irish sports and be...
Midnite offers competitive betting odds and generous promotions on a long list of sports, competitions, and markets. Today is the perfect time to join...
The Most Popular Golf Bets Explained
Golf betting for beginners can be daunting. Several golf betting markets exist, which can be overwhelming. You might feel you need golf each-way betting explained when you first see it, or you might not understand what a head-to-head golf bet is.
Below, some of the core markets are explained, with these ideal for new bettors to the sport:
- Outright Winner: Involves picking which golfer wins the tournament.
- Each-Way (E/W) Betting: An each-way bet is when two bets are placed: one is on the player to win the event; the other is for them to finish within the “places” that have been set. A bookmaker will offer odds at a fraction of the win for finishing in a place that they have set (top 3, 4, 5, etc.). Bets will be successful if they win or place, thus enhancing potential returns.
- Top 5 / Top 10 / Top 20 Finish: A much easier bet to understand, it involves wagering on a player to finish within the top-X of a tournament for it to win.
- Head-to-Head Matchup: Bettors can place a bet against two players. Punters will be required to bet on which of the two will have a better score over a tournament or a single round.
- First Round Leader: Typically played on a Thursday, this bet requires predicting who will finish top of the leaderboard by the end of the round.
How to Analyse a Golf Tournament: A Strategy Guide
Bettors should focus on specific golf betting strategies to try and maximise the success of their bets. You can do this by:
- Current Player Form: Analyse how golfers have played over their last five events. Have they been consistent? Have they struggled to make the cut? What did their scores look like?
- Course History: How has a player performed at the course in the past? Do they appear to like it, or do they struggle?
- Key Player Statistics: Take a look at Strokes Gained, Driving Accuracy, and Greens in Regulation statistics to make informed decisions about a golfer’s chances.
- Course Type: Will a player be able to handle the demands of the course? Each course is different and will challenge the best in various ways, including mentally and in terms of skill. Is the course long? Does it require accuracy? All key factors to think of when devising golf betting strategies.
The Flashscore Advantage: Your Essential Golf Research Tool
Flashscore is the number 1 free tool to use for all stats, including when betting on golf. The resource can be used to make a series of data-driven bets, as bettors can analyse the following:
- Live Hole-by-Hole Leaderboard: Punters can track bets when betting on golf live, ensuring they can make timely decisions, such as cashing out when required.
- Detailed Player Scorecards: Flashscore will allow users to keep abreast of each golfer’s scorecard during their round, highlighting how each hole was played. Users may spot trends, such as putting patterns on specific holes or over a series of them.
- Check Player Form and Tournament History: Flashscore provides detailed player profiles that can be accessed to find key statistics. These include recent and previous performances at a specific course, allowing bettors to make informed decisions.
- Tournament Statistics: Key tournament statistics can be found after each round is played on Flashscore, with data highlighting which players are leading in driving accuracy or putting, etc.
A Guide to Live Betting on Golf
UK bettors should ensure they understand how live betting on golf works and what they should do to enhance their chances of betting success. You can maximise potential positive outcomes by:
- Following the Leaderboard: Keeping track of the leaderboard will help punters identify who is playing well and who isn’t. Golf is played over four days, so it’s important to keep tabs on what happens over four rounds.
- Identifying Players in Rhythm: Given the duration of a tournament, bettors should keep a close eye on how players perform. Those who have found rhythm may put together a string of birdies or have bogey-free rounds. These players may see their odds shorten on Saturday, which could reduce the value offered that was previously available.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest bet to make in golf?
The easiest golf bet to make is on who will win the event/tournament outright. However, this can be difficult to predict successfully due to the large playing field.
How does an each-way bet work in golf?
A golf each-way bet requires two bets to be placed: one is based on the player winning the tournament/round; the other is based on the player finishing in one of the defined “places”. If they do not finish 1st, they can finish within the places available for the bet to win.
What happens to my bet if there is a tie? (Dead Heat Rule)
Your stake is divided by the number of tied participants, and the divided stake is paid out at full odds. If three golfers tie for two payout positions, your stake is reduced to two-thirds its original size and paid out at your bet’s odds.
What are "Strokes Gained" stats?
Strokes Gained is a modern performance metric comparing a golfer’s shot or round to the field or a benchmark. It calculates whether a player gains or loses strokes in categories such as putting, approach, and tee-to-green.
What happens if a player I bet on withdraws (WD)?
If a player withdraws before teeing off, bets are usually voided and refunded. If the player withdraws after starting (such as mid-round), most books settle as a lost bet.
Can I bet on team events like the Ryder Cup?
Yes, you can bet on team events. Ryder Cup betting is extremely popular, with many markets available.
Is it better to bet before the tournament starts or live?
Odds can offer more value before the tournament starts as it’s harder to predict what might happen; however, live betting can increase chances of success, as bettors can analyse what’s happening using Flashscore and find trends that may produce successful bets.
Where can I find player stats for golf betting?
Flashscore is the number 1 place for all the best stats, providing comprehensive coverage for all golf betting markets.
About the author
We're delighted to have Richard on board at Flashscore. Offering a wealth of experience, Rich used to be a national newspaper and sports journalist before focussing entirely on the igaming and sports betting spheres. That means he is able to combine super sharp editorial instinct and crisp content with a wealth of information, having worked with some of the biggest names in the business over the past decade. So, when you see Rich's name on an article, you know it's packed information you can trust. Whether it's information on a particular casino, betting terms explained, betting tips, the best betting sites around, or anything else, Rich has got your back.
