Golf is one of the most popular sports to bet on in the UK, though it lags behind football.
The sport is in something of a state of flux right now as a result of the emergence of the LIV Golf tour which has tempted away some of the best players in the world.
But that means there has arguably never been a better time to get involved with betting on golf.
LIV events may become some of the top golf tournaments to bet on, but for now interest peaks around competitions like the Masters, the Open, the US Open, the Ryder Cup and the US PGA.
For those who are new to betting on golf, these five top tips could help people to pick winners.
And if you want to make your first bet, but are worried that it will be difficult in the technical process, then pay attention to sports betting not on Gamstop.
Use Betting Bonuses Such as Golf Free Bets
The first thing people should do when placing wagers on golf is to try to utilise betting bonuses.
Online betting sites have a raft of offers available these days, for new users and existing customers alike. Betting sign up offers often include free golf bets people can use as they choose.
The benefit of golf free bets is obvious, with fans of the sport able to place a wager on a tournament without having to spend any of their own money.
However, it is worth keeping in mind that users will often need to place a qualifying wager – with their own cash – in order to qualify for golf free bets as part of a betting site’s welcome bonus.
Golf free bets are not just available for new customers who sign up for an online betting site either. Many top bookies reward their customers’ loyalty by handing out regular free bets too.
Shop Around for the Best Golf Odds
When deciding which golf bets to place, it can pay off to spend some time hunting for top odds.
The difference in prices on some players can differ by a surprising amount across betting sites.
For example, in a large tournament such as the Open, one betting site might be offering a price of 80/1 on a particular player to lift the Claret Jug at the end of the four days of play.
However, shopping for the best price could enable UK golf fans to find the same bet at 100/1,
Even if just £1 was staked on this bet, the potential profit would rise by £20 by taking the top odds, which shows just how important it can be for golf fans to look around for the best prices.
Use Golf Data, Form Trends and Statistics
Data and statistics are handy tools in most sports these days, but especially in golf. When considering placing a bet on a player to win a tournament, the form trends are worth studying.
This can help to show whether a player could be coming into form at the right time to win. If they have recently secured a few top-10 finishes, this perhaps shows they are a serious contender.
On the flip side, if the form trends for a player indicate that they have missed the cut on a few occasions of late, this could be a clear sign that they are struggling for rhythm out on the course.
Deeper data can also be used to identify when a player could be coming in or out of top form.
For example, a high percentage of greens in regulation would show that the player is performing particularly well from tee to green, even if their putting is perhaps letting them down sometimes.
Tournaments tend to be won on the greens, so if a player is putting well then this is a positive sign. It sounds obvious, but players struggling to putt well are going to find it hard to win events.
Research the Course and Weather Conditions
As well as player trends, spending some time researching the course and weather can pay off.
It goes without saying that longer courses are likely to favour players who are capable of driving the ball long off the tee.
One of the top trends in golf in the last few years has been players building muscle so they can hit the ball further than ever, which is resulting in some par-4s being reachable off the tee, while par-5s are presenting eagle opportunities.
Links courses are always going to pose a challenge even for the most experienced players on the tour, though, and being long off the tee may be less advantageous here.
Of current players, Jon Rahm has a good reputation as an excellent links player, having won the Irish Open a couple of times. Tommy Fleetwood and Tyrrell Hatton are fine links players too.
Weather conditions can play a surprisingly large part in which player tops the leaderboard too.
Some players find it tough to put together low scores when it is wet and windy, while others will actually thrive when weather conditions make it a challenge to shoot a low score.
Players may traditionally perform well on certain courses too. To give an example, Tiger Woods has won the Farmers Insurance Open seven times in his career. Woods is clearly extremely comfortable playing at Torrey Pines, though he last won it in 2013.
Try Out the Each Way Option
A last beginners’ tip for golf betting in the UK is to make the most of the each way option. Golf tournaments tend to have a lot of entrants, which makes picking a winner very challenging.
But each way bets can still have appealing odds while improving the chances of making a profit.
Large events such as the Open, with a massive field of players, can see the top online betting sites in the UK offer each way odds for the top 10, or even the top 12 or the top 14 in the field.
Each way golf betting is a great option for those who are new to placing bets on this great sport.