Betting on golf: Your complete guide
Golf betting online is big business and I’m happy to say that Canada is among a handful of countries where it’s totally legal to place sportsbook wagers on big-name golf fixtures and events. That means you can bet on everything from the PGA Tour to The Masters from the comfort of home (or anywhere you like if you’re using a sports betting app on your smartphone).
Never placed a bet on golf before? Don’t fret – I’ve got you covered with all the key details you need to know.
How does
betting on golf
work?
Online golf betting is crazy popular in the Great White North. OK, maybe not quite as popular as
NHL betting in Canada, but pretty darn close.
What’s the reason for its popularity? Well, aside from golf being a much-loved sport in much of North America, it could have something to do with how golf betting online works and the superb choice of bet markets and odds on offer.
You see, of all the sports you can bet on in Canada, golf is one of the easiest to get your head around, while also being the one that offers some of the most competitive odds. Here’s a step-by-step look at the process of placing a golf wager in full.
First things first: Understand how
golf betting
works in Canada
In Canada, bookmakers use the American system of showing the latest golf odds. That means an individual player’s odds are written as a number accompanied by a plus sign (+); this denotes how likely they are to win.
Here’s an example: let’s say you want to bet on Jon Rahm who has odds of +900; this is the same as 9-1. If you were to bet CA$10 on Rahm to win, you would receive CA$90 if he did. Easy, right?
In any given golf tournament featured on a Canadian bookie, you’ll usually see player odds between +600 and +1300. You might also see minus odds (-) for some players based on the type of bet – more on this later.
Find your favourite online betting site for golf
Once you’ve got to grips with the basics of how golf bets work in Canada, you’ll need to set about finding a reputable bookmaker that excels in online golf betting. There’s a lot of choice out there, so prioritise the following to make sure you land on a goodie:
- How competitive are the brand’s golf betting odds?
- What type of golf betting markets are on offer?
- Do they offer a welcome bonus to new players?
- Does the site offer live golf betting?
- What are the security features like?
- Is the brand trusted and used by other golf betting enthusiasts in Canada?
Can’t deal with the hassle of comparing golf bet bookmakers yourself? No stress – I’ve handpicked a few standouts and popped them in the banners on this page, along with a few new-player bonuses that could be of interest to you.
Register and make your first deposit
Once you’ve lined up a suitable bookie for those upcoming golf bets, all that’s left to do is create an account and pass mandatory verification checks. This typically involves submitting evidence of your name, DOB, and permanent address, although the requirements may differ depending on the vendor in question.
With that taken care of, you’ll then need to make a deposit so you can start placing golf wagers. If you’re claiming a deposit welcome bonus (e.g., get CA$50 in free bet credit when you deposit CA$10) make sure that your deposit is in line or above the minimum amount required to claim the bonus.
Place your first golf bet
With cash added to your virtual sportsbook bankroll, you’re now ready for the fun part: placing your first golf bet. Much like with
World Cup betting in Canada, there are multiple golf betting markets available, from outrights on who you predict will win a complete tournament to props bets covering wagers placed on events unrelated to the outcome of a game. As such, you’ll need to spend a little time researching the best odds, the best players, and the best wagers to place on a given match.
What type of wagers do
online golf betting sites
offer?
There’s no fixed approach you need to take when it comes to placing golf bets in Canada. Casual bettors may be happy to make matchups and outright bets on overall game outcomes, while the more serious gamblers can delve into parlays and props to up the ante and raise the stakes.
With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at the different types golf bets you can place on online sportsbooks.
| Type of golf bet | Good to know |
| Matchups | Matchup golf bets are wagers placed on the player you think will win a set round, not a whole tournament. They’re one of the most popular types of golf bets available, particularly given the fact some bookmakers let you place them during live play.
When making matchup golf bets, you need to get to grips with how the odds work. Since matchups have a favourite and an underdog, you’ll see different numbers for both players in the matchup.
Bettors can place moneyline and spread bets on player matchups, with both the favourite and the underdog fetching different odds. Naturally, underdogs normally attract ‘+’ odds because you stand to win more if they come out on top in a matchup. |
| Outrights | Outrights are among the simplest wagers to place on golf. This is when you predict who will win a full tournament – be it the US Open, The Open Championship, or The Masters.
Some bookmakers do allow bettors to place new outright wagers deep into a tournament, but obviously, these types of bets attract weaker odds than those placed before an event gets underway. |
| Finishing position | There should be no need for a detailed explanation here. Finishing position bets are when you predict where a player will place in the field. |
| Props | If you want to flesh out a parlay betting slip, props golf bets are a nice way to do it. This is when you bet on things unrelated to the outcome of a matchup or tournament, such as:
- First player to hit a hole in one
- Whether a player will score over or under a certain number
- The nationality of the most successful player within a group
|
What are the most popular tournaments on
online golf betting sites?
The annual golfing calendar is packed to the rafters with tournaments that you can bet on via Canadian sportsbooks. Here are some of the blockbuster events that you should pencil into your diary:
- European Tour – February
- PGA Tour – March
- The Masters – April
- US Open – June
- The Open Championship – July
The pros and cons of
golf betting
Advantages
- Wager on signature golf tournaments from around the globe
- Easy to understand wagering and odds system
- Choose from a superb range of golf betting markets
- Use parlay golf bets to build out your betting slip and make things even more interesting
- Access exclusive bonuses and promotions on golf betting sites
Disadvantages
- Golf is notoriously unpredictable, which can make researching the best wagers tricky
Should you bet on golf in Canada?
I mean, why wouldn’t you? Not only is Canada one of the safest places in the world to place online sportsbook wagers, but it also plays host to some of the web’s most reputable betting sites. So, whether golf’s your game or you’ve stumbled across this guide while searching for the
best football betting apps in Canada
– Canadian bettors are well-serviced whatever their favourite sport may be.
Remember, too, that I’ve gone to the trouble of selecting some of the best golf betting sites in Canada and adding them to the banners on this page. Be sure to check out these recommended brands to enjoy an expert-tested experience and some terrific sign-up bonuses.
Betting bonuses not to be missed
1.
Bet $5 & Get $150
Wagering (WR): 1x Bonus
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Golf betting
FAQs
⛳ Can you bet on golf tournaments in Canada?
Yes, golf is one of many sports you can bet on in Canada, with the country’s best bookmakers covering all major tournaments including The Open Championship, The Masters, and many more.
🏌️ Is it legal to place sports bets on golf in Canada?
Canada recently relaxed its stance on online sportsbook betting, so you can now legally place sports bets on golf in most provinces. Always check local laws and brand T&Cs before betting.
🕳️ Can I get bonuses when betting on golf in Canada?
Absolutely. If you join a new sports betting site to place golf bets, you can normally claim a welcome bonus offering such perks as free bets, bet credit, or cashback.
