The rise of golf betting
Golf is one of the world’s most popular sports, both to take part in and as a spectator sport. The PGA Tour gets an average of 2 million viewers per week, and the prestigious Masters tournament has a TV audience of over 10 million viewers each year. In terms of playing the sport, an estimated 66.6 million people of all ages and standards enjoy golf. However, while some viewing figures for the sport have dipped slightly in recent years, one area of golf that is growing is the rise of golf betting. As with many sports, betting can be a thrilling way to enjoy the game as an adult. Betting on your favorite player at key events will undoubtedly add to the viewing pleasure and excitement. It gives an additional edge to each tournament and means that every birdie scored may take you closer to winning a bet on your chosen player. In this article, the rise of all forms of golf-related gambling will be explored.
The rise of major golf tournaments
One of the key factors in the growth of betting on golf occurred in the late 20th century. The Masters was first held in Augusta on March 22, 1934. Year-on-year this prestigious tournament attracted increased interest in the media and the press. When TVs became common household items after WW2, it was only a matter of time before the sport was broadcast live. In 1956, the first televised Masters Tournament was screened on CBS. While this broadcast only featured the last four holes of the tournament, it was popular with viewers. Subsequently other tournaments such as the Ryder Cup were screened for the TV-owning public. Televised tournaments meant that golf fans could place bets on the outcomes before watching the game live, making betting on this sport far more enjoyable.
Golf games in online casinos
Betting and gambling take various forms, and the sport of golf has also become a good fit for online casinos. Many casinos have a wide range of golf themed games alongside standard casino games like blackjack games online. Recently, many of these slot machines have featured a sports theme as an integral part of the games. For golf fans, one of the clear favorites is Lucky Shot. This slot machine draws heavily on golfing culture, with golf players being the best-paying symbols in the game. Gopher and golf cart symbols trigger exciting mini-games with multiplier rewards and free spins. It is little surprise that such golf-themed games are popular with betting adults, and they have helped to contribute to the rise in wider golf betting.
Multiple win conditions for golf betting
One of the key attractions to making bets at online bookmakers when gambling on golf outcomes is that there is a wide range of win conditions. You do not simply need to pick who will win the match or tournament; you can bet on many other outcomes or events. For example, gamblers can test their luck by betting on how many birdies, eagles, or even holes in one will be scored during a tournament. Such bets can return impressive winnings if the correct figure is guessed. For more conservative bets, gamblers can place the equivalent of an “each way” bet on specific golfers. Such bets mean that the golfer does not need to win the tournament; rather, they must finish at a predetermined position in the competition (usually in the top 3). These types of bets return lower odds but have a greater potential for winning.