Golf, known for its elegance and precision, is not only a sport loved by millions of people, but also a magnet for punters. In Europe, with its rich golf history and prestigious tournaments such as the Open Championship and the Ryder Cup, the sport has created a vibrant niche for the betting opportunities it offers.

This article explores the most attractive golf bets in Europe, looking at their features, why they appeal to punters and the most common types of bets.

1. Betting on the winner of the tournament

Popularity and attractiveness: One of the easiest and most popular bets is predicting who will win a tournament. In Europe, the biggest tournaments such as the Open Championship and the BMW PGA Championship are the main events on which punters place their bets.

Characteristics:

• Long odds: These bets can be placed weeks or even months before the tournament.
• High odds: Due to the difficulty of predicting a single winner in a field with many players, the odds are usually quite attractive.
• In-depth analysis: Bettors should consider factors such as the player’s recent form, tournament history and course conditions.
• Example: Betting on Rory McIlroy to win the Open Championship.

2. Each-Way Betting

Popularity and appeal: Each-way betting is popular because it offers additional security. This type of bet is split into two parts: one for the player to win and one for a certain finish (usually in the top five).

Features:

• Risk mitigation: While the odds of winning may be high, the odds of finishing in the top five still offer a decent return.
• Flexibility: Allows bettors to back players they believe will perform well without necessarily winning.
• Example: Betting each-way on Jon Rahm to win and/or finish in the top 5 at the DP World Tour Championship.

3. Head-to-Head Betting

Popularity and Attractiveness: These bets pit two players directly against each other, and the bettor chooses which of the two will perform better in the tournament or in a specific round.

Features:

• Head-to-Head: Instead of predicting the winner of the entire tournament, the bettor only needs to determine which of the two selected players will perform better.
• Less Variability: Reduces variability compared to betting on the winner of an entire tournament.
• Example: Betting that Justin Rose will outperform Tommy Fleetwood in the European Masters.

4. Single Round Betting

Popularity and Attractiveness: Bettors can bet on a player’s performance in a single round instead of betting on the entire tournament. This is especially popular in long tournaments, where performance can vary significantly from one round to the next.

Features:

• Fast Results: Allows you to get results and payouts faster.
• Lower variability: Individual rounds can be less predictable, but they also allow bettors to take advantage of round-specific knowledge.
• Example: Betting on Henrik Stenson to have the best score in the first round of the Spanish Open.

5. Betting on the First Player to Make a Hole-in-One

Popularity and attractiveness: This type of bet is very specific and adds excitement to tournaments. It involves predicting which player will be the first to make a hole-in-one during the tournament.

Features:

• High odds: The rarity of hole-in-ones ensures that the odds are very high.
• High excitement: Adds an extra level of excitement when following the players throughout the tournament.
• Example: Betting on Viktor Hovland to be the first player to make a hole-in-one at the British Masters.

6. Betting on the total number of strokes in a round

Popularity and attractiveness: This type of bet involves predicting the total number of strokes a player will take in a specific round. It is an interesting way to track a player’s performance, regardless of their finishing position.

Features:

• Diversity of options: Allows bettors to choose from several stroke lines.
• Statistical analysis: Requires a good knowledge of the player and the course conditions.
• Example: Betting on Sergio Garcia to complete the third round of the Andalucia Masters in under 70 strokes.

Conclusion

Golf in Europe offers a wide range of betting opportunities that appeal to a diverse betting community. From tournament winner betting to head-to-head betting and specific bets such as first hole-in-one, each type of bet offers its own set of interesting features and possibilities. With prestigious tournaments and elite players, European golf offers a dynamic and attractive environment for online betting. The combination of strategy, analysis and tournament excitement makes golf betting an exciting and potentially lucrative experience for betting enthusiasts. As online betting platforms continue to evolve, golf betting opportunities will continue to grow, offering even more options for fans.