Golf Betting in the US
With headline tournaments like the US Open, The PGA Championship and The Masters, it isn’t surprising that online golf betting in the US is growing in popularity. If you are planning on placing a golf wager in the future, this page is definitely worth a read.
Our golf betting experts will point you in the right direction when it comes to picking a top golf betting site. We’ll also give you all the info you need to place a golf bet, including the most popular bet types and the best golf betting bonuses.
Best Golf Betting Sites
# | Sportsbook | Bonus | Visit Site | T&Cs | |||
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1.
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FanDuel Sportsbook |
Up to $1,000 risk-free bet Free bet |
Play |
Use bonus code: No bonus code required; Register to claim
Qualifying bet: No minimum bet amount Wagering requirement: 1x bonus |
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2.
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Caesars Sportsbook |
Bet $50 Get $250 in Bonus Bets Cashback |
Play |
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3.
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BetMGM |
Up to 1500$ first bet offer Cashback |
Play |
Use bonus code: No bonus code required. Register to claim offer
Qualifying bet: No minimum bet amount and no odds restrictions Wagering requirement: 1x bonus. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (available in all of US) 21+ only. Please gamble responsibly. Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (NY), 1-800-327-5050 (MA) 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Rewards are non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire in 7 days. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. See BetMGM.com for Terms. US promotional offers not available in DC, Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico. |
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4.
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BetMGM |
Up to 1500$ first bet offer Cashback |
Play |
Use bonus code: No bonus code required. Register to claim offer
Qualifying bet: No minimum bet amount and no odds restrictions Wagering requirement: 1x bonus. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (available in all of US) 21+ only. Please gamble responsibly. Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (NY), 1-800-327-5050 (MA) 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Rewards are non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire in 7 days. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. See BetMGM.com for Terms. US promotional offers not available in DC, Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico. |
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5.
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BetMGM |
Up to 1500$ first bet offer Cashback |
Play |
Use bonus code: No bonus code required. Register to claim offer
Qualifying bet: No minimum bet amount and no odds restrictions Wagering requirement: 1x bonus. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (available in all of US) 21+ only. Please gamble responsibly. Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (NY), 1-800-327-5050 (MA) 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Rewards are non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire in 7 days. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. See BetMGM.com for Terms. US promotional offers not available in DC, Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico. |
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6.
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BetRivers |
100% up to $250 Match deposit bonus |
Play |
Use bonus code: 250MATCH
Qualifying bet: No minimum bet amount and no odds restrictions Wagering requirement: 1x bonus |
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7.
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DraftKings Sportsbook |
Bet $5 get $200 in free bets instantly Free bet |
Play |
Use bonus code: No bonus code required; Register to claim
Qualifying bet: $5 Wagering requirement: 1x bonus |
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8.
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WynnBET |
Bet $100 get $100 in free bets Cashback |
Play |
Use bonus code: XUSBETTOP; Register to claim offer
Qualifying bet: Bet $100 or more at minimum odds of -120 Wagering requirement: 1x bonus |
Category Winners
So, what are the best golf betting sites for placing golf bets right now? Well, all of the sites mentioned on this page are of a high standard but they all have their individual strengths (and weaknesses).
In the table below you can see which sites ranked highest in five different areas of betting on golf. This includes quality of odds, live betting, golf betting apps, selection of markets and availability and frequency of bonuses and golf betting promotions.
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Golf Betting Sites to Avoid
Never sign up with a betting site without doing proper research first. We’ve done that job for you with the sites we recommend on this page but unfortunately, there are some golf betting sites to avoid out there.
If you can’t find evidence of a valid license, that should be an immediate red flag. If a betting site isn’t regulated then there is a chance your personal info could be misused or your winnings might even be withheld. Safety is paramount when betting on golf online so don’t take any unnecessary risks with questionable betting sites.
Bovada
BetOnline
MyBookie
How We Rate Golf Betting Sites
We rate golf betting sites using a number of different parameters. We don’t take any shortcuts and our golf betting site reviews are always thoroughly researched and completely impartial.
The things that matter most to us when betting on golf include, in no particular order, the range of markets, the selection of bets, the odds and the quality of the mobile betting experience.
Another thing we always check rigorously is that sites are fully legal and licensed. If you bet with one of the golf betting sites we recommend, you can do so in the knowledge it is trustworthy, safe and fully secure.
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Safety and licenses
A lack of a license is a huge red flag. Always make sure that your chosen golf betting site is operating legally in your state of residence.
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Golf odds
Odds determine returns from winning wagers so clearly, it is massively important that you get the best price when placing a bet. Especially in golf where it’s possible to get wins at big odds.
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Bonuses
Golf bonuses and promotions are worth taking advantage of if available. The best time for golf betting bonuses is during the four majors and some sites have much better offers than others.
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Live betting
Due to its relatively slow pace and the emotions shown by players, golf is ideally suited to live betting. Our experts have closely examined the live betting facilities at every site on this page.
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Selection of golf markets
With over 100 players in each tournament, it can be tough to find outright winners. That’s what makes the selection of golf markets on offer so important. Side markets like match betting give punters a more realistic chance of winning.
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Mobile apps
A staggering number of bettors now place wagers solely on their mobile devices. It is important that golf betting apps are up to the required standard and this is another aspect we take into consideration in our reviews.
How to Bet on Golf
It is key to understand how to bet on golf before risking any of those hard earned dollars. Most bettors will be familiar with betting outright on the tournament winner but there are lots of other options and bet types available that will give you a far better chance of getting a return.
We’ll worry about choosing the best golf bet types later on, for now we will focus on just placing a bet. The step by step guide below illustrates just how easy it is.
How to Place a Golf Bet
Thankfully, it is pretty easy to place a golf bet. The most difficult aspect is choosing which betting site to use but once you make that decision, simply follow the steps below to start betting on golf.
How to Read Golf Odds
Now, we are going to explain how to read golf odds. In the US there are three options when it comes to displaying odds. Bettors can pick American odds, decimal odds or fractional odds. The returns will be the same no matter what odds you use to place bets, they are just displayed in different ways.
American Odds
American Odds are probably the most confusing format for beginners to understand. They are displayed as either ‘-‘ (minus) or ‘+’ (plus). If there is a minus before the odds, the figure represents the stake required to produce a profit of $100. If there is a plus, the figure represents the returns generated by a $100 bet.
It does, admittedly, sound kind of complicated but once you see the example below it’ll be a lot clearer. We had a look at the odds for the next Ryder Cup to show how American Style odds work:
Decimal Odds
Our golf betting experts advise that beginners should first use decimal odds. The reason for this is that working out the returns from winning wagers is very easy. Simply multiply your stake by the decimal odds to calculate exactly how much money a winning bet will return.
Fractional Odds
Fractional odds are decimal odds that are displayed as a fraction. The same bet above on John Rahm at 9.00 would be represented as 8/1 as fractional odds. You can see exactly how to calculate the return when using this odds format below.
Bet Types
There are less markets to choose from when betting on golf in comparison to other popular team sports. Over/Under and Totals betting don’t really work for most golf events and the majority of bets are placed on the outright tournament winner markets.
There are a few interesting alternatives, including match betting, player prop betting and several more. In the next few sections we’ll outline exactly how all the most popular golf bet types work.
Outright Tournament Betting
This is the most popular way to bet on golf. For this bet type, bettors must pick the winner of the tournament. Only a win will generate a return so it is pretty difficult to regularly turn a profit when betting on the outright tournament winner. However, when a bet does hit, the rewards are usually very substantial.
2 Ball or 3 Ball Betting (Match Betting)
Many golf betting sites provide match betting as an alternative to outrights. Players are paired together, usually in two balls or three balls, and bettors need to pick which player they think will perform best over a round or a full tournament.
Some betting sites are now forming Six Shooter markets which work exactly the same way except that six players are paired together.
Round Leader Betting
This market requires punters to pick the leader at the end of a certain round. Round Leader markets are formed before the start of each round.
Betting on players with reputations for making fast starts to lead at the end of the first round can be profitable but again, this is a tough market to crack and stakes should be kept small due to the risk involved.
Top 5/10/20 Finish
If you are looking for a less risky wager than round leader or outright bets, the Top 5/10/20 markets are a viable alternative. Your selected player simply has to finish inside the top 5, 10 or 20 depending on the bet placed. If a player is backed for a top 5 finish and he ties for 5th with one or more players, dead heat rules will apply.
Player Props
Some betting sites have player prop special markets. For example, with Ceasars Sportsbook punters can bet on a player to win any major, to make the cut in every major or to finish in the Top 10 in all four majors.
Unibet offer player prop bets for every PGA event including betting on players to make the cut, the top US Player and whether the tournament will be won via a playoff.
Golf Futures Betting
Golf futures betting is not just only available for the outright tournament winner. Side markets like top 5/10/20 finishare formed in the days leading up to each tournament. Futures betting outright markets for golf are usually formed for Majors a few days after the tournament finishes.
However, it is important to note that if you back a player in a Futures Market and he doesn’t play in the tournament for any reason (injury, loss of form etc.) the bet will be returned as a loser.
- Outright Winner
- Top 5 Finish
- Top 10 Finish
- Top 20 Finish
- To Make The Cut
- To Miss The Cut
Golf Betting Tips and Advice
You have already learned about how to bet on golf and about all of the key golf bets and markets. Now, we’ll hopefully help you to improve your winning strike rate when golf betting online. Our golf betting experts have a few tips and tricks up their sleeves that are well worth paying heed to.
As is the case when betting on all sports, losing wagers are going to happen. The following golf betting tips and advice will boost your prospects of picking winners but there are zero guarantees. Golf can be as unpredictable as most sports and shock results happen frequently.
Top Golf Betting Apps
A massive number of punters are primarily using their mobile devices to bet on golf. The best golf betting online sites cater for mobile bettors and most have designed mobile golf betting apps that have all the same markets, bet types and bonuses that are available on desktop sites.
The quality of a bespoke betting app is often a good indicator as to the overall quality of the betting site. We prefer bespoke apps designed specifically for either Android or iOS phones or tablets as they tend to work smoothly.
It is also important that the site has a decent web app that can be used to place bets via your mobile browserinstead of downloading the mobile app. Page load times, ease of use and the overall feel of the mobile app are all crucial and we have outlined the top golf apps in five different categories below.
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Golf Live Betting
As it is a slow moving game, golf is an ideal sport for in-play betting. Odds are available for the outright winner all through the tournament, right up until the very last hole. Unlike with faster sports, like tennis or football, the delay in live feeds doesn’t give betting sites as big of an edge.
Golf live betting is great as it can give bettors a way back in if their original bet has fallen out of contention. It can be a profitable way to punt because some players are very easy to read. For example, when Bryson DeChambeau is angry he can be very erratic. If he is calm and composed, chances are he’ll end up playing very well.
There is no way of telling the mental or emotional state of players until they start their rounds and that’s why live golf betting online is well worth exploring. The more golf you watch, the better you’ll get at backing in-play golf winners.
Popular In Play Golf Markets
- Outright winner
- Round leader
Pros and Cons of Golf In-play Betting
Our experts like to look at both sides of the coin and we don’t just focus on the positives of live betting on golf, we also look at the negatives. You can see the pros and cons involved below.
- Odds change in real time as the tournament progresses and if you time it right, it’s possible to gets seriously good value.
- If you bet on a player pre-tournament and he bombs out with a poor round, in-play betting enables you to bet on another player instead.
- Sometimes odds can be suspended during play and this can be frustrating if you are trying to place a bet.
Use Live Streaming to Your Advantage
If you can find a betting site that has live golf streaming, great. However, the vast majority of US betting sites do not have this facility for golf. Instead, all the PGA Tour tournaments are broadcast live on TV. If you are planning on betting in-play on golf, it is imperative that you have access to live pictures.
Golf Betting Bonuses
When you are signing up with a betting site, don’t forget to take advantage of any golf betting bonuses. All of the best golf betting sites offer new customers some great incentives to sign up. These include free golf bets, matched deposit bonuses or risk free golf bets.
However, some of these special betting offers come with conditions attached so always read the small print. A $500 welcome bonus looks nice on paper but it isn’t all that great if you have to spend $2500 to unlock it.
# | Sportsbook | Bonus | Visit Site | T&Cs | |||
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9.
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BetMGM |
Up to 1500$ first bet offer Cashback |
Play |
Use bonus code: No bonus code required. Register to claim offer
Qualifying bet: No minimum bet amount and no odds restrictions Wagering requirement: 1x bonus. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (available in all of US) 21+ only. Please gamble responsibly. Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (NY), 1-800-327-5050 (MA) 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Rewards are non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire in 7 days. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. See BetMGM.com for Terms. US promotional offers not available in DC, Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico. |
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10.
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Caesars Sportsbook |
Bet $50 Get $250 in Bonus Bets Cashback |
Play |
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11.
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BetMGM |
Up to 1500$ first bet offer Cashback |
Play |
Use bonus code: No bonus code required. Register to claim offer
Qualifying bet: No minimum bet amount and no odds restrictions Wagering requirement: 1x bonus. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (available in all of US) 21+ only. Please gamble responsibly. Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (NY), 1-800-327-5050 (MA) 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Rewards are non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire in 7 days. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. See BetMGM.com for Terms. US promotional offers not available in DC, Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico. |
Golf Promotions for Registered Bettors
After you sign up with a betting site, you’ll qualify for golf promotions for registered bettors. It is always worth checking the promotions page before you place any wagers to see whether the best qualifies for any specials like odds enhancements or free golf bet offers.
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Most Popular Golf Tournaments
The Ryder Cup is the biggest team event in golf but on the Main Tour, four tournaments matter more than most. The Majors, as they are known, are the crown jewels of men’s golf.
All the fun begins in April at The Masters. That is followed by the PGA Championship in May, the US Open in June and finally, the only Major that isn’t played in the US, The British Open Championship.
Not only are these tournaments must-watch, you’ll find some cracking special offers and golf betting promotions for all the Majors. Find out more about what makes them so special to fans, players and bettors alike in the next few sections.
The Masters
This may be the youngest of the four majors, but the Green Jacket that is awarded to the winner, is one of the most coveted fashion accessories in the game of golf. What makes The Masters unique is the fact it is held at the same course every year, the spectacular, tree lined, Augusta National in Georgia.
This is an almost mythical golf course and it is on the bucket list of every golfer to play a round there. The familiarity of Augusta has made it a fan favorite too and the toughness of the course in certain conditions has seen it tame some of the world’s best. For bettors, it is a brilliant event because unlike the other three majors, there is always recent course form to go on.
Augusta is a course that tends to reward guile rather than brute power and a hot putter goes a long way when the greens are fast. The Golden Bear Jack Nicklaus holds the record with six Masters wins, but for most golf fans, the tournament will be forever associated with Tiger Woods.
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PGA Championship
First held in Bronxville, New York in 1916, the PGA Championship is now the second major of the season. The venue for the tournament changes each year and a number of courses have held it on multiple occasions in the last few decades. Some of the more recent courses that hosted the PGA Championship include Southern Hills, Kiawah Island, Bethpage Black and Whistling Straits.
Because the location is switched so often, place a lot more emphasis on researching recent form if betting on this event. The PGA Championship is one of the less predictable majors in recent years.
It looked like Brooks Koepka was set to dominate with successive wins in 2018 and 2019 but in 2021 Phil Mickelson showed that absolutely anything is possible. If you are going to back a longshot in a major, The PGA Championship is one of the more likely ones to throw up a shock.
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US Open
Now the third major of the season, the US Open is the most brutal of them all. The venue changes from year to year but one thing always remains the same – the tough course setups. This is a tournament where it pays to be able to drive the ball as long and as straight as possible so accuracy and power is required for any potential winner.
Brooks Koepka, Jon Rahm and beefed up Bryson DeChambeau are capable of hitting booming drives and it is no coincidence that they have shared four of the last five tournaments.
It has the biggest purse with $12.5 million and some of the more recent courses to host the US Open include Pebble Beach, Winged Foot, Torrey Pines and Brookline. When betting on the US Open, bet on in form players who can hit it a mile and focus on players at the top of the market because favorites have a fine record.
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The Open Championship (UK)
This is the Grand Daddy of the majors in golf. It is the oldest of them all and it will be forever associated with St Andrew’s Old Course in Scotland. It isn’t held there every year though, and some of the most common hosts include Muirfield, Carnoustie, Royal Troon and Royal St George’s.
The winner of The Open Championship is awarded the famous Claret Jug. American golfers have lifted the old Jug on 45 occasions, 4 more than the Scots and 23 more than English players. It is usually played on ‘Links’ courses which are based right on the coast with high winds, unforgiving rough and deep bunkers all regular themes.
In the past decade or so, Irish golfers have punched above their weight. This isn’t just the luck of the Irish, because Ireland has some of the best and most testing links courses in the world. Since 2007 Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke, Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry have won The Open. In wet and windy conditions, it is worth backing Irish players at decent odds outright.
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Which States is Golf Betting Legal in?
The list seems to be expanding month by month, but there are still some states where betting on golf online is not yet permitted. Some states are currently in the process of drafting regulation, while other states allow it but require in-person registration.
Colorado | Oregon | Connecticut | Pennsylvania |
Illinois | Rhode Island | Indiana | Tennessee |
Iowa | Virginia | Michigan | Washington |
Montana | Washington DC | Nevada | West Virginia |
New Hampshire | Wyoming | New Jersey |
FAQs
How to bet on Golf?
Learning how to bet on golf only takes a minute or two. Just choose one of the betting sites recommended on this page, open an account, find the market or player you want to bet on and place the bet. Never bet blind on golf and carry out research before you place any wagers.
What is 3 balls betting in golf?
3 balls betting in golf is essentially a match bet but instead of just two players, three are included. 3 ball golf bets are most commonly placed for the duration of a round and bettors need to select which player of the three will shoot the best score on the day.
What is the best Golf betting site?
It was hard to split the best golf betting sites. BetMGM, Caesars and PointsBet are worth checking out but Unibet just about gets our vote by the narrowest of margins, mainly because of their extensive range of markets and quality of odds.
What is an each way bet in golf?
An each way bet in golf is a bet that contains two separate wagers. A $10 e/w bet costs $20. One $10 bet is placed on the win market, and the other on the place market. Each way terms are defined by the betting site and for the majors, extra places are usually available. If the player you back wins, you get paid on the win and place parts of the bet. If they only place, you lose the $10 win bet.
What is a six shooter golf bet?
A six shooter golf bet works the very same as a 2-ball or 3-ball bet. The betting site selects a group of six players and they form a market on which of the six players will achieve the best tournament finish or shoot the lowest score in a round.