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A Beginner’s Guide To Understanding Golf Betting Odds
Unlock the basics of golf betting with this easy-to-follow guide on odds, betting types, and strategies, perfect for newcomers eager to navigate the greens of sports wagering.

Golf is a thrilling sport that combines strategy, skill, and patience – and when it comes to betting, it’s no different. For those new to golf betting, understanding odds, types of bets, and how to make informed choices can feel overwhelming. In this beginner’s guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to get started with golf betting confidently.
1. Understanding the Basics of Golf Betting Odds
Betting odds are used to represent the likelihood of a particular outcome and the potential payout. In golf, odds can appear in three main formats: decimal, fractional, and American (or moneyline). Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Decimal Odds: Common in Europe, these are straightforward to understand. For instance, if a golfer has odds of 5.00, a $10 bet would return $50 if they win (5 x $10).
- Fractional Odds: Often used in the UK, fractional odds show profit relative to the stake. If you see 4/1 odds, it means for every $1 wagered, you’ll win $4 if successful.
- American Odds (Moneyline): These odds are either positive or negative. Positive odds (e.g., +400) show how much profit a $100 bet will yield if you win, while negative odds (e.g., -150) show how much you need to wager to win $100.
2. Popular Types of Golf Bets
With golf tournaments spanning multiple days and offering a broad field of players, there are many types of bets you can place beyond simply betting on who will win. Here are some common options:
- Outright Winner: This is a straightforward bet on who will win the tournament. Outright winner bets usually offer high odds, as predicting the winner among dozens of players is challenging.
- Each-Way Bets: An each-way bet gives you two chances to win: if your golfer finishes first, or if they place within a specified number of top positions (e.g., top 5). You place a stake for both the win and place portions of the bet, so it costs more but lowers your risk.
- Top 5, 10, or 20 Finish: Rather than betting on a player to win, you can bet on them to finish within the top 5, 10, or 20. These bets are easier to win, as you’re not betting on the player to win the entire tournament, but they also offer lower payouts.
- Head-to-Head Matchups: In this bet, you’re wagering on one golfer to finish ahead of another golfer in the tournament, rather than betting on the tournament winner.
- Round Betting: You can bet on who will have the best score in a particular round. This is a great option for those who want to bet without committing to the outcome of the entire tournament.
- First-Round Leader: Similar to outright betting, but only for the first round. It’s a high-risk, high-reward bet since you’re betting on who will be the leader after just one day of play.
3. How to Read and Interpret Odds
Let’s say you’re looking at a tournament, and one of the top players has odds listed as +500. This means if you bet $100 on them to win, you’d receive $500 in profit (plus your original $100) if they win. In contrast, a long shot with odds of +2000 would yield $2,000 in profit on a $100 bet – but this reflects that they have a lower likelihood of winning.
Odds fluctuate based on factors like recent performance, weather conditions, and betting action from other bettors. Keep an eye on changes in odds as the tournament approaches or progresses, as these shifts can offer insights into which players are favored by experts and the betting public.
4. Strategies for Beginners
Golf betting can be tricky due to the unpredictable nature of the sport, but a few beginner-friendly strategies can help you make more informed choices:
- Research Player Form and Course History: Players perform differently on various courses. Research each player’s history on a particular course, their current form, and how they typically handle the tournament’s conditions.
- Avoid Only Betting on Favorites: Favorites don’t always win in golf, given the field size and event structure. Consider betting on other strong players for better value.
- Consider Each-Way Bets for Safer Returns: If you’re new, each-way bets provide a safety net. You might not win as much as an outright bet, but you increase your chances of a return.
- Manage Your Bankroll Wisely: As with any betting, don’t wager more than you’re prepared to lose. Set a budget and stick to it to enjoy the game without stress.
5. Choosing a Betting Platform
Most online sportsbooks offer a wide range of golf betting options. Look for platforms that provide competitive odds, live betting (for added excitement), and insightful stats and data. DraftKings, FanDuel, and Bet365 are a few popular choices that offer user-friendly golf betting experiences.
Final Thoughts
Betting on golf is a fun way to engage with the sport, but it’s essential to approach it with patience and strategy. Start by familiarizing yourself with different odds formats, trying various bet types, and researching players. With time, you’ll develop a better understanding of the game and find yourself making smarter, more enjoyable bets.

When JJ Spaun stood over a 64-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole of the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont, few could have predicted what would come next. The ball meandered across the slick green, trickling over every contour, picking up speed at the crest, and then—like it had GPS—dropped center cup. Spaun dropped his putter, raised his arms, and the crowd erupted. With that single stroke, he claimed his first major title in one of the most dramatic finishes in U.S. Open history.
But how does Spaun’s putt stack up against other legendary finishes in the tournament’s storied past? Let’s break down some of the most iconic moments and see where this one lands.
1. Payne Stewart – 1999 U.S. Open at Pinehurst
Perhaps the most iconic putt in U.S. Open history came from Payne Stewart, who nailed a 15-footer for par on the 18th to win by one over Phil Mickelson. The pose—fist pump and outstretched leg—has since been immortalized in a statue at Pinehurst. What made it legendary wasn’t just the putt—it was the context: Stewart’s final major before his tragic death just months later.
Verdict: Iconic and emotional. Spaun’s putt was longer, but Stewart’s was more poetic.
2. Tiger Woods – 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines
Woods drained a 12-foot birdie on the 72nd hole to force a playoff with Rocco Mediate—while basically playing on one leg. That tournament went to sudden death after an 18-hole playoff, and Tiger prevailed. This was peak Tiger drama, pain and all.
Verdict: Spaun’s putt was longer, but Tiger’s win was sheer willpower and mystique.
3. Jack Nicklaus – 1972 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach
With a 1-iron shot that hit the flagstick on 17 and a crucial birdie putt on 18, Jack sealed a dominant win. His precision and timing under pressure showed why he’s the GOAT.
Verdict: Not a putt for the win, but a signature finishing statement from Jack. Spaun’s was more electric in terms of pure putter drama.
4. Ben Hogan – 1950 U.S. Open at Merion
Hogan’s 1-iron into the 18th fairway and the par to force a playoff—just 16 months after a near-fatal car crash—remain legendary. He won the playoff and completed one of golf’s great comeback stories.
Verdict: Larger-than-life comeback. Spaun’s putt had more flair, but Hogan’s win was heroic.
5. JJ Spaun – 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont
Let’s not underestimate what Spaun accomplished. The pressure was immense. He wasn’t the favorite. And on the most treacherous greens in golf, he buried a 64-foot bomb—a putt most players would be happy to lag to within 5 feet—to win the U.S. Open outright.
Verdict: For distance, surprise, and drama, Spaun’s putt may be the most shocking winning stroke in U.S. Open history.
Final Thoughts
JJ Spaun may not have the résumé of a Nicklaus or Woods, but for one Sunday afternoon in June 2025, he created a moment that will live in golf lore forever. Spaun’s putt was longer than Stewart’s, more unexpected than Tiger’s, and more dramatic than any final-hole finish in recent memory.
In terms of pure clutch putting? It might just be the greatest walk-off in U.S. Open history.
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The Zen of the Shank: Finding Inner Peace in Your Worst Shots
Find your inner peace even when you aren’t playing well.

Ah, the shank. That glorious, unpredictable misfire that sends your pristine golf ball screaming sideways, often directly into the unsuspecting shins of your playing partner, or perhaps, with a touch of poetic irony, into the very lake you’ve been trying to avoid all day. Most golfers, bless their earnest little hearts, view the shank as a catastrophic failure, a blight upon their scorecard, a testament to their inherent lack of coordination. They curse, they throw clubs, they contemplate a career in competitive thumb-wrestling. But not I. No, my friends, for I, Ty Webb, have found enlightenment in the humble shank.
You see, the shank is not a mistake; it’s a revelation. It’s the universe’s way of reminding you that control is an illusion, that perfection is a myth, and that sometimes, the most direct path to your goal is, in fact, a wildly indirect one. Think of it as a philosophical detour, a sudden, unexpected journey into the unknown. One moment, you’re aiming for the green, a paragon of precision and intent. The next, your ball is ricocheting off a tree, narrowly missing a squirrel, and landing, by some divine comedic intervention, closer to the hole than your perfectly struck drive ever would have. Is that not a miracle? Is that not a sign that the golf gods, much like life itself, have a wicked sense of humor?
The key, my dear apprentices of the links, is acceptance. Embrace the shank. Welcome it with open arms, like a long-lost, slightly inebriated relative. When that familiar, sickening thwack echoes through the air, do not despair. Instead, take a deep breath. Close your eyes. Feel the gentle breeze on your face. And then, with a knowing smile, open them and observe the chaos you have wrought. Is it not beautiful in its own chaotic way? Is there not a certain freedom in relinquishing control, in allowing the ball to choose its own destiny, however bizarre that destiny may be?
Some say the shank is a sign of poor technique. I say it’s a sign of a vibrant, untamed spirit. A golfer who never shanks is a golfer who has never truly lived, never truly explored the outer limits of their own golfing absurdity. They are content with mediocrity, with predictable trajectories and mundane outcomes. But you, my enlightened few, you understand that the true joy of golf lies not in the score, but in the story. And what a story a good shank can tell.

So, the next time you feel that familiar tremor of a shank brewing, don’t fight it. Let it flow. Let it be. For in the heart of every shank lies a lesson, a laugh, and perhaps, just perhaps, a path to a lower score you never saw coming. After all, as the great philosopher Basho once said, “A flute with no holes, is not a flute. A donut with no hole, is a Danish.” And a golf game without a shank? Well, that’s just not golf, is it?
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Meet The Canadian Open Qualifier Tied To ClickIt Golf!
“This week was incredible,” he said. “A dream come true.”

Josh Goldenberg doesn’t plan to quit his day job. But he had a great time dabbling in his old career.

He gave up on pro golf, then qualified for his first PGA Tour event.
Read the full story here
https://golf.com/news/josh-goldenberg-rbc-canadian-open/?amp=1
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