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The History of Golf Betting

Sunbet
17/15/2024

Golf and gambling have been interlaced for a long time, with the history of golf betting dating back to the earliest introduction of large tournaments.
Golf betting is popular, with different types of bets, from winner to pop bets. 

If yes, keep reading for more insights into golf betting history, Masters golf odds, understanding golf odds, how to bet on golf, and more.
Let’s go back in time…

The History of Golf

Golf has roots that date back to the 15th century, mainly played by the wealthy elite class. Due to this, the sport has been registered as one of the oldest sports in the world and history.
The origins are widely debated, but it is believed that it originated in Scotland, and the 18-hole round was created in St Andrews, Fife, Scotland, at the Old Course in 1764. On the other hand, the Chinese claim they invented the game earlier than that.

By the 19th century, popularity had grown across the globe, and with the first documented rules established, the first tournament of the game, The Open Championship, was formed.
Now, the sport has become more structured, more supported, and more sought-after. It is a multibillion-dollar space with a massive fan following and many betting markets to bet on.

What is the History of Betting?

Betting itself has even older origins than golf. The earliest records date back to ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, where chariot racing and fencing, dice, and board games were bet on.

Betting as an industry was created, in part for organisations to fundraise and for fans to prove their knowledge or show loyalty to a particular competitor or team. The history of sports shows that gambling can liven up an otherwise less exciting game, especially when handicapped systems offer odds.

The first substantial recorded golf wagers were placed during the rise of major tournaments. The golf betting market was formally introduced with these tournaments, like the Masters Golf Tournament and The Open.

How Big is Golf Betting?

Golf betting has become a booming industry. Millions of dollars are wagered globally every year. Over 26.6 million people played golf in 2023, and in 2022, it was predicted that legal betting on professional golf was around $5 billion. 

With these both growing and with golf being one of the leading sports to bet on in the United States, golf is fast becoming one of the leading markets in sports betting globally.

Is Golf Easy to Bet On?

Betting on golf might seem straightforward, with tournaments having one winner, but it requires a good understanding of both the sport and the players.

To bet on golf with any success and stand a chance of winning requires knowledge of the statistics, the course of the tournaments, weather predictions, and competition strategies.

Researching the player’s strengths and weaknesses compared to their competition in any major tournament will aid you in your punting choices. Watching golf strategies and tournaments is a great place to start to make betting on golf easier.

How Does Golf Gambling Work?

For golf gambling, bettors can place their wagers on different aspects of the tournament.

A few examples of golf betting odds:

  • The outright winner of a tournament,
  • Performances on specific holes, or
  • What the player’s matchups might be.

Bettors place bets through a golf sportsbook (bookie, which is Sunbet) and receive the rewards at the odds if the outcome is successful.

How to Understand Golf Odds?

Golf odds show how likely a specific outcome might be, such as how likely a player might be to win the tournament.

If a player is listed at 10.1 odds of winning, those that bet on them winning will receive 10.1 times the stake they put in.

What is the Most Common Golf Bet?

The most common golf bet is on who will be the outright winner of a tournament.

There are two types of golf bets commonly seen:

  • Live In-Play markets allow you to make live bets on the tournament as it’s happening in real-time and make wagers as the round progresses.
  • Prop bets. This includes details such as whether the tournament will see a hole-in-one, the highest-placing person of a specific nationality, or how many balls will be hit into the water.

What is the Etiquette for Golf Gambling?

Golf is well known for its attention to etiquette. In both the written and unwritten rules of the game, integrity and honesty are vital.

The flow of the game is defined by this etiquette, and player strategies are founded on it. Keeping a good pace of the game and respecting competition and the course is integral to the game of golf, both on the course and off.

This extends to golf gambling. Understanding the game and respecting the players comes down to aspects as close as knowing when and where to discuss bets placed on the game.

How to Bet on Golf With Sunbet

Placing your bets on golf with Sunbet is easy. You just need to follow and complete several steps, and you’re on your way to making your next bet.

Here’s how you can place your next bet where you could win millions:

  1. Register an account with Sunbet.
  2. Navigate to the golf betting section.
  3. Browse upcoming tournaments and select the event that you want to bet on.
  4. Review the odds and click on the odds you want to bet on.
  5. Place your bet by selecting your stake on the pop-up betslip.
  6. Confirm your bet and track your progress throughout the tournament.

History of Golf Betting: Conclusion

Golf betting has grown into a billion-dollar industry, earning popularity as the sport has grown. It’s good to know the people, rules, and etiquette of the game and the market before placing your bets. 

Sunbet.co.za gives you the best odds and insights to join the exciting world of golf betting on the right foot! Tee off with one of South Africa’s Leaders in Online Gaming & Sports Betting. Enjoy a 100% 1st Deposit Bonus of up to R1000 & up to R30 Million Payouts on any golf bet.


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What Is the Most Popular Golf Bet?

The most common bet is the "outright winner," where you bet on who will win the tournament.

How Do You Read Golf Odds?

Golf odds are expressed as a fraction or decimal, depending on your location. The odds indicate how much you could win based on your initial stake.

Is Golf Betting Legal?

Golf betting is legal in many parts of the world if done through a licensed sportsbook like Sunbet. 
Moreover, it is legal in most regions of South Africa. Be sure to check who is your region's main provider and if sports betting is allowed where you are from.

What Are the Best Things to Know Before Betting on Golf?

Researching key golfing details such as player stats, course conditions, and recent performances can be the best knowledge to have before you make informed bets.
Also, paying attention to the best odds can go a long way in golf betting or any sporting event for that matter. The odds will help you determine who are the favourites, who are not, and so much more.

What Major Golf Tournaments Does Sunbet Follow?

Because Sunbet is one of South Africa’s leaders in online gaming and sports betting, we follow all major local and international events, some of the oldest sporting events in the game of golf.

To mention a few of the major global tournaments that we follow:

  • The Master,
  • The Open Championship,
  • The U.S. Open,
  • The PGA Championship, and
  • The Players Championship.

From international waters to local golf courses, Sunbet follows a host of local golf tournaments, the most prominent being the beloved Nedbank Gold Challenge. 

Let’s take a look at five of the local major golf tourneys we follow:

  • South African Open, 
  • Nedbank Golf Challenge, 
  • Alfred Dunhill Championship,
  • Joburg Open, and
  • Dimension Data Pro-Am.

Around the corner is the Nedbank Golf Challenge. Sunbet is a big player in this tournament, and with that in mind, there is plenty of money to be won for punters. For more information on this illustrious tournament, read: All You Need to Know About the Nedbank Golf Challenge 2024.