Most weeks of the year the markets will only appear on a Monday or Tuesday morning (ahead of a Thursday start). But the four most important tournaments of the year, known as the major championships can be bet on at any stage. These markets are known as ante-post.

Because the majors (The Masters, the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open and the British Open) are so important they generate an immense amount of interest. So you can back a player to win or each-way months before the event starts (only these two markets appear).

The upside is that excellent prices and be backed when a punter spots that a player has found form before the books have noticed. The downside is that the each-way terms are less favorable than in the week of the event itself.

First-round leader

This is an increasingly popular market. It is rather more volatile than the outright because it is decided purely on the first round of activity so big priced winners are a very real possibility. One note of warning: ties are very common for each way bets in this market.

Regional Markets

Every field is made up of a wide variety of nationalities offering yet more options for the hungry punter. Typically on the PGA Tour, there will be a Top American, Top European, Top Great Britain and Ireland, Top Asian and Top Australasian market. This can often become even more specific and tends to happen on the DP World Tour and at the four major championships as well.

In that case, there might be Top Swede， Top Spaniard and Top Korean for example. This can offer real value for shrewd punters who recognize that one player has an advantage over his rivals from the same part of the world.

Two and Three Balls

These match-ups are created by the draw. In each round, the field plays in either twos or threes. It is usually the case that before the cut they play in three (known as “three=balls”) and after the cut in twos (“two balls”).

Many of these groups will be priced up by the books, creating contest that are a little more real than the match bets.

Extra side markets

Other typical options include yes/no option such as “Will there be a hole in one?” or “Will there be a playoff?” You will also often find betting on the winning margin and nationality of the winner. Another popular option is group betting in which six players might be pooled together. This narrows the focus, effectively becoming a six-man field.

Bear in mind, the distinct possibility of a tied winner.

How to Win a Golf Bet?

The outright is much more straightforward: the lowest score wins, either after 72 holes or after extra holes if needed.

What happens to your bet if your selection withdraws?

If you back a golfer and he doesn’t start the tournament you will have your stake refunded. However, if the player withdraws having hit at least one shot then it will be deemed a losing bet.

There will be exceptions to both of these rules in some circumstances.

Be sure to check that individual books refund players who withdraw before teeing off. And if the circumstances of a withdrawal are slightly unfortunate it has been known for books to court publicity and offer refunds.

Note that disqualification is also a losing bet.

What happens if a tournament is disrupted by the weather?

This can be a common occurrence and has led to some debate and controversy down the years. Organizers tend to be very keen to have tournaments completed so they will force almost permanent play at the weekend if that is required – and they will also consider lagging into an extra day.

But is is also common for at least one PGA or DP World Tour a year to be reduced to 54 holes – and very occasionally 36 holes. The latter is rare and very much the last resort, but it does happen. Good news for some (if your plater is leading), bad news if your player was a slow starter.

Books will generally pay out to the official result.