Last Updated May 20, 2022, 06:34 AM ET
Consider us your expert caddy for betting on golf and the 2022 PGA Championship. Our guide pinpoints the most reputable legal golf betting sites, up-to-date betting odds, picks, predictions, and unbiased sportsbook reviews.
The doors to sports betting legalization are opening across the U.S., with thirty states and DC, now offering some form (online or retail) of legalized betting. Canada now boasts its own regulated sports betting market, with legal Ontario sportsbooks accepting wagers on golf. Follow these steps to start betting on golf:
We never recommend a sportsbook that we would not use ourselves. Our betting site reviews can help you choose the right sportsbook that offers real-money online sports wagering. When scouting prospective sportsbooks, make sure that the available deposit and bonus options suit your style and preferred methods of banking. Once you have narrowed down the field of legitimate online sportsbooks, it is time to register your new account.
All reputable sportsbooks require you to provide basic information, such as your name and date of birth for identity verification purposes. Once that has been processed, you will then choose a personalized username and password. The listing of sportsbooks supplied earlier all offer mobile betting.
As a newly registered player, you must add money to your account before you can wager on golf online. Most online sportsbooks offer several different banking options, but what is available depends on the site you use and where you live.
There are no shortages of real-money golf bets available out there. The popularity of the tournament largely dictates the variety of odds and available betting lines. The top golf betting websites offer slick navigation, making it easy to find your favorite tournament.
Prior to tee-off, 2022 Masters Champion Scottie Scheffler sat atop the PGA Championship odds board. Monitor this board for up-to-date odds and to lock in the best price.
Bonuses and PromotionsWelcome offers and free bets await new and engaged players. While often beneficial, we advise you to read the terms and conditions before claiming one or more of these offers.
Banking and payout speedMuch like how slow play can hinder your group’s golfing experience, not getting your funds on time can hinder your ability to make bets. Cashing out should be quick and seamless when using the best sportsbook deposit and withdrawal methods.
Key featuresInnovations from sportsbook operators can vastly improve your online betting experience. Some of these modern features, like live betting, can aid your online sports betting strategy.
Security and trustChoosing which sports betting sites to register with is an important decision. Those that promote secure digital encryption and enhanced privacy settings should be prioritized.
Customer supportCustomer service agents can play the role of caddy, steering you in the right direction. Similarly, the top golf betting sites offer 24/7 live chat functionality, detailed FAQs, email and social media assistance.
Similar to the clubs in your bag which carry practical and sentimental value, the various bet types can also enhance your game. Certain sites only offer you the ability to pick outright winners while some sites will offer you extended betting flexibility. Understanding and reading golf odds is paramount to helping you make smart bets.
With futures bets, also known as outrights, you are predicting the outcome of a tournament or event long before its start time. No crystal golf ball needed, but wouldn’t that be helpful? Futures odds for the major championships are posted months in advance. Outrights for the standard tournaments go up on Monday of tournament week and take action until Round 1 begins.
As its name suggests, head-to-head odds pit two players against each other. Instead of betting on one player against the field, you can bet one golfer against another on who will post the better score. These markets are available for the entire tournament and for each round. Think of these as moneyline markets for golf.
One of the fastest-growing markets in online golf betting allows you to wager on a variety of factors related to specific outcomes within a golf tournament. Props are often light-hearted bets, designed to add some fun to your overall betting experience. Things like hole-to-hole outcomes, odds on a hole-in-one, and if a player will make the cut or not all count as golf props.
Our No. 1 tip: Get the ball rolling by betting online. The convenience factor, sharper odds, and sheer fun of following your favorite players are reasons enough to register with an online sportsbook. This abundance of choice allows you to choose your spots carefully, especially with golf tournaments held weekly.
We’ve shared a few reasons as to why you’ll enjoy betting online. Read our complete how-to-bet on golf guide to become a more informed bettor and climb up the betting leaderboard.
Early rounds and equal footingThe ability to place an online wager from the palm of your hand is far more compelling than having to be in-person at a retail sportsbook. Not only can you place a bet on golf at any time of day or night, but you can shop the lines for more competitive odds.
Reading the greens: Find the best priceBetting on golf online allows you to peruse a variety of sportsbooks to find the most competitive price and odds. Imagine if you’re leaning towards Dustin Johnson to win the U.S. Open. Your local lottery-based sportsbook lists him at +1,000 to win, while a trusted online betting site has him at +1,500. Fortune favors the online bettor.
Tune-in for live bettingMany of the reputable and tech-savvy sportsbooks we endorse offer live odds as a golf tournament unfolds. This feature can quickly enhance your online golf betting experience. The odds are updated in real-time and tied to the results on the course. Among the options: outright winner odds, odds to win the round, and hole-by-hole odds for popular players.
Weather: Don’t let it rain on your par-adeIf you are in the habit of checking the forecast before leaving the house, you would be wise to follow that routine before betting on golf online. Some players prosper in ideal or optimal conditions, while others thrive in adverse conditions when the winds are gusting and low scores are harder to come by. Do your homework and pick players who fit the forecast.
Survey the fieldRiding the hot hand can lead you to a golf betting victory, but it can be a misnomer too. Maybe that player is putting up consistent weekly scores but he’s been doing it with a bad back. At some point that will hurt them and your bankroll. Staying on top of injuries and other relevant news will help you narrow the field.
Horses for coursesHistorical performance also comes into play. Targeting players with a history of performing well at the same course should be high on your list of considerations. Courses like Augusta National (home of the Masters) have a strong field of returning players who are well-acquainted with the course and consistently produce strong results.
If you’re betting in the US, odds for different bet types will be posted in American odds, which are formatted as a three-digit number with a +/-. This positive or negative number indicates the prospective payout and designates whether you are betting the favorite or underdog.
If American odds aren’t your thing, use our betting odds converter to change them to decimal or fractional odds.
Today, viewers can tune in to tournaments from across the globe from anywhere, including their handheld mobile devices. The best mobile sports betting apps for golf on the market are the main driver behind the surge in betting interest and action.
Depending on your location and device — compatible with iOS or Android — bettors can access odds on their favorite golfer and view events from each of the professional tours: the PGA Tour, European Tour, LPGA Tour, and PGA Tour Champions.
The active U.S. sports betting market includes 30 states, plus DC, that offer legalized sports wagering through a combination of retail (in-person) outlets or online mobile betting.
Signing up with the best betting sites unlocks access to sharp odds, quick payouts, and provides protections for depositing and withdrawing your money.
Don’t see your state? Consult our legal sports betting tracker for the latest news on your region.
From major tournaments rich in tradition like the Masters to less stuffy and more boisterous events — we’re looking at you Waste Management Phoenix Open — there’s a golf event tailor-made for your betting. The major championships represent professional golf’s most prestigious events and here's the lineup for 2022:
Date: April 7-10, 2022
Location: Augusta National Golf Club - Augusta, GA
2022 champion: Scottie Scheffler
Date: June 16-19, 2022
Location: The Country Club - Brookline, MA
2021 champion: Jon Rahm
Date: May 16-22, 2022
Location: Southern Hills Country Club - Tulsa, OK
2021 champion: Phil Mickelson
Date: July 10-17, 2022
Location: St Andrews - Fife, Scotland
2021 champion: Colin Morikawa
See all blacklisted sportsbooks 
When betting online, it’s best to stick to the regulated sites like those recommended above. The following sites made their way onto our blacklist and we advise steering clear.
Here are a few things to keep in mind as you get started betting on golf:
Yes, if you are of legal gambling age.
Each of the online sportsbooks highlighted within this guide offer betting on golf.
Yes, and it is wildly popular. Live betting has become synonymous with betting on golf courtesy of the sharp bettors who nail the best lines while the action is underway.
Yes, the list of best golf betting sites includes sportsbooks with mobile betting capabilities.
Yes, in some cases. Some of the better golf betting sites have a dedicated section that allows you to propose a golf bet or head-to-head matchup.
You can stream live events from PGA Tour Live, the official streaming service of the PGA Tour.
Michael Duchesne is a senior commercial content editor at Covers, who has been researching and reviewing products for more than a decade. The former travel publisher is all in on sports betting. When he's not supporting Covers' broad array of betting experts in making smarter sports bettors, you can find him by the BBQ, perfecting his cross-hatch marks.
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