We want you to make the best PGA betting decisions. Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) tournaments are a breed apart when it comes to betting. As with other major sporting events, there are considerable odds available for PGA tournaments.
However, the unique nature of these contests, means that the process of researching and analyzing potential bets is more complicated than with most other sporting events. The PGA is one of the most famous golfing associations in the world, boasting some of the game’s biggest stars as members.
There are PGA tour events in different parts of the world throughout the year, culminating in an annual PGA Championship every August at a different location each time. You will also find secondary competitions such as the Ryder Cup and PGA Cup which have their own dedicated followers.
It’s worth investing some time in understanding how to bet on a PGA tournament if you want to make money from this niche market.
Which events are included in PGA tournaments?
PGA tournaments come in many different forms, but the most popular ones are PGA Tour events and the Ryder Cup. In addition to those two major events, there are also the PGA Championship and the PGA Tour’s secondary tournaments. These events are open to all members of the PGA Tour, making them suitable for players of all levels.
The PGA Championship is held annually in August at a different location each year. It is a tournament reserved only for professional players, with no amateurs allowed in the field. Then there is the Ryder Cup which is the biennial contest between the USA and Europe, with both teams consisting of 12 players each. It is always held in odd-numbered years, such as 2023.
What’s so special about PGA betting?
The main thing that sets PGA betting apart from other sports is that there are no set start times for rounds or completion dates. Rounds are rarely completed in full because of bad weather and other factors. Therefore, the total length of a tournament, can vary greatly depending on the weather and other factors.
That also means that scoring is also more erratic than in other sports. A golfer might be on the verge of a brilliant round, only to have it ruined by a small gust of wind or a rain shower. Such things can provide dramatic twists to the tournament, with all sorts of knock-on effects for the betting process.
With the added complication of different golf courses being used, there are lots of variables that can impact how a tournament will play out. That makes PGA tournaments more difficult to predict than other sports. But it also makes them more exciting to watch and bet on!
Identifying the best opportunities for PGA betting
For many people who enjoy both sports and betting, PGA tournaments are an ideal way to combine both pastimes together. But due to the unique nature of these tours, it can be hard to know where to start when it comes to identifying potential bets. The first step in PGA betting is to decide upon a tournament.
This is straightforward enough for majors such as the PGA Championship or Ryder Cup. But it becomes a little trickier when deciding what to bet on during the rest of the year. The obvious place to start is to check the course that will be used.
Certain courses are renowned for being easier or harder than others, and that will have a big impact on the nature of the tournament. How well-suited the course is to the level of skill of the players will also have a big impact on the tournament outcome.
How to read the odds for a PGA tournament
It is not possible to bet directly on the outcome of any specific match during a PGA tournament. Instead, you will have to bet on the total number of shots taken by all players during the tournament. The format called ‘over/under’ betting is where you have to decide if the total number of shots will finish above a certain number or go under that number.
When reading the odds for an over/under bet, you will see a number followed by a slash. That is the number of shots that are considered to be ‘normal’ for the tournament. If that number is more than ‘normal’, then the odds will be below ‘normal’.
But if it is less than normal, then it will be above ‘normal’. The number to be bet is the total number of shots expected for the tournament. If the number of bets for that number is more than the number of bets for the lower number, then you will win. When it is less, your bet will lose.
Key tips when placing bets on PGA events
Get to know the players who are taking part. Those who are especially well-known have a tendency to be over-rated on the course because people will assume they will do well. Other players who are not so famous are often underrated, making them good bets.
Keep an eye on the weather. While it is impossible to predict it with 100% accuracy, it may be possible to estimate the impact it will have on the tournament. If a storm is predicted, it could have a big impact on the players’ performance.
Find the right online bookmaker. You can bet without Gamstop if you are from the UK. Different bookmakers put different amounts of emphasis on certain tournaments, and a good one will know how to maximize your enjoyment from PGA tournaments. Always bet with a licensed sportsbook. If you don’t have a credit card, many sportsbooks offer alternative payment methods.
