Known for its elegance and precision, golf is not only a sport loved by millions, but also a draw for online punters who have sites. In Europe, with its rich history in golf and prestigious tournaments such as the Open Championship and the Ryder Cup, the sport has created a vibrant niche for betting.

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

1. Tournament Winner Bets

Popularity and Appeal: One of the simplest 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 key events where punters place their bets.

Features:

• Long Term: These bets can be placed weeks or even months before the tournament.
• High Odds: Because of the difficulty of predicting a single winner in a field with many players, the odds are often quite attractive.
• In-Depth Analysis: Bettors must 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 Bets

Popularity and Appeal: The each-way bet is popular because it offers additional security. This type of bet is split into two parts: one on the player to win and one on the player to finish in a certain position (usually in the top five).

Features:

• Risk Mitigation: Although the odds to win can be high, the odds to finish in the top five still provide a decent return.
• Flexibility: Allows bettors to back players they think will perform well without necessarily having to win.
• Example: Betting each-way on Jon Rahm to win and/or finish in the top five at the DP World Tour Championship.

3. Head-to-Head Bets

Popularity and Appeal: These bets pit two players head-to-head, with the punter choosing which of the two will perform better in the tournament or a specific round.

Features:

• Direct Comparison: Instead of predicting the winner of the entire tournament, the punter 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 perform better than Tommy Fleetwood at the European Masters.

4. Single Round Bets

Popularity and Appeal: Punters can bet on a player’s performance in a single round rather than the entire tournament. This is especially popular in long tournaments where performance can vary significantly from round to round.

Features:

• Fast Results: Allows for faster results and payouts.
• Lower Variability: Individual rounds may be less predictable, but they also allow punters to take advantage of round-specific knowledge.
• Example: Betting that Henrik Stenson will have the best score in the first round of the Spanish Open.

5. First Player to Make a Hole-in-One Bets

Popularity and Appeal: 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 holes-in-one ensures that the odds are very high.
• High Excitement: Adds an extra level of excitement by following the players during the tournament.
• Example: Betting that Viktor Hovland will be the first player to make a hole-in-one at the British Masters.

6. Total Number of Strokes in a Round Betting

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

Features:

• Variety of Options: Allows punters to choose from various stroke lines.
• Statistical Analysis: Requires a good understanding of the player and the course conditions.
• Example: Betting that Sergio Garcia will complete the third round of the Andalucía Masters with less than 70 strokes.

Conclusion

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