Irish punters love to bet on a variety of sports and one of the most popular is the sport of golf. Ireland has produced its share of top players and hosts several high-profile events during the golf season. Irish bookmakers offer odds on all the tournaments across both the major and minor tours.
Golf is a global sport with a schedule that extends almost all year round, making it ideal for sports bettors to follow. In an effort to get a slice of that golf betting market, bookmakers in Ireland and overseas pull out all the stops when it comes to offers and promotions. In fact, there are so many golf betting offers out there, it is hard to know which is the best. To help you get the most out of your search for golf betting promotions, we’ve put together this handy 2024 guide.
What are the most popular golf tournaments to bet on?
As we mentioned above, golf never sleeps, and it is possible to bet on golfing events 365 days of the year. Some events, however, are more popular than others, and the bigger the event, the more likely it is that you will find competitive bookmaker offers.
The Masters
The first of the four Majors on the calendar, the Masters is always played at the same course: Augusta National, and always in early April. It is second only to The Open in prestige. For US players, in particular, it is the tournament that they all want to win. Every year, the world’s best players compete for the famous green jacket. As the first Major of the year, this is a hugely popular betting event.
USPGA
The PGA Championship, known as the USPGA outside the US, was previously staged in August, as the final of the four Majors, but has recently been moved to May. It is usually, but not always, staged in the eastern half of the US, and has been played at a wide variety of courses.
US Open
The third of the Majors, this event is held in June and is the biggest Open competition in the US, giving professional and amateur players a chance to earn a spot in the field. The event is held at a different venue every year, but usually takes place on an extremely challenging course where breaking par is a significant achievement.
The Open
The oldest of the Majors and the only one to be staged outside the US, The Open is held in the UK every July and is always staged at a traditional links course. The unique challenges of links golf, which often include rain, wind and fog, make this the most distinctive of the four Majors, and it rivals the Masters as the most popular golf betting event in the world.
Ryder Cup
Golf is mainly an individual sport, but every two years, some of the best players in the world join forces to play in a three-day tournament that makes for compelling viewing. Played between teams from the USA and Europe, the Ryder Cup is the ultimate team golf event and draws a huge audience.
What golf tournaments can I bet on in Ireland?
Golf has been popular on the island of Ireland since the 19th century and in addition to the major international events, golf betting fans in Ireland can enjoy a variety of golf tournaments, including these three prestigious competitions. You can also click here to learn more about the top Irish betting sites.
Irish Open
First staged in 1927, this event has moved around the calendar but is the most popular golf event staged in Ireland, and the only one to feature on the European Tour. Traditionally played at a links course, it attracts one of the biggest audiences of any golf event outside the Majors. It is also part of The Open qualifying process, offering a chance for players to qualify by finishing in the top three.
Irish PGA
Originally a match-play event, the Irish PGA is one of the oldest tournaments in the world and hugely popular with Irish golf fans. It is notable for producing several multiple winners, including Christy O’Connor Snr and Harry Bradshaw, who both won the event 10 times.
Barton Shield
Ireland’s premier team competition, the Barton Shield was inaugurated in 1911 and is one of the world’s oldest golf events. It is a match-play competition played by foursomes, contested by the main golf clubs of Ireland, with the final staged at a different venue each year.
What are the most popular betting markets for golf?
The popularity of golf and the ingenuity of Ireland’s bookmakers mean that there are dozens of golf betting markets to choose from, though some remain more popular than others:
Tournament winner
This is the most popular golf betting market, which requires you to pick the winner of the tournament. With over 150 players in some events, the available odds in this market can be huge.
Each way betting
This involves betting on a player to either win or finish in the top five or six places. Bookmakers often offer generous each way terms, particularly on the big events.
First round leader
The first round leader involves betting on which player will be leading the event after the first round. Weather conditions and scheduling can be a major influence here.
How to choose the right golf Irish betting site
With so many bookmakers to choose from, it can be tough to work out which is the best, and your personal preferences will play a significant role in the choice. However, there are some key factors to look out for when you’re finding your preferred golf betting site:
- Fully licensed and regulated for the Irish market
- Good coverage of all golf events
- Wide range of golf markets
- Player-friendly features and bonuses
- Strong customer support
- Fast and efficient deposits and withdrawals
A closer look at the top-rated Irish golf betting sites and offers
To help you narrow down your search, we’ve compiled this handy list of the top five Irish golf betting sites and what they have to offer the golf punter:
888 Sport
One of Europe’s biggest betting brands, 888 Sport offers an unrivalled depth of betting options on all tournaments, from the Majors to obscure regional events. It also provides an extremely competitive welcome bonus for those who open a new account.
Kwiff
A fully licensed and popular golf betting site, Kwiff is particularly notable for its excellent in-play golf betting markets, and it also offers a fast and easy sign-up and competitive bonuses. The site is particularly popular for its Majors betting markets.
10Bet
This bookmaker provides good coverage across all the global golf tours, along with a slick and well-designed golf betting section, but it is most notable for its golf betting odds, which are some of the most competitive in the Irish betting sector.
Bet365
Long associated with soccer, Bet365 is a huge betting brand that offers excellent coverage of golf events. The golf section at Bet365 is well organized and offers a host of features and special golf bets that you won’t find elsewhere, along with excellent customer service.
Tony Bet
The Tony Bet site doesn’t offer quite as many golf betting markets as some of the other names on this list, but its coverage of the sport is strong, and it offers excellent and varied promotions, a user-friendly golf section and one of the best sports betting VIP programs around.
Responsible gambling
The best golf betting sites in Ireland take the issue of responsible gambling seriously, and so should you. Never bet with money that you cannot afford to lose and make sure that you set and stick to strict limits. Golf betting should be fun, and never viewed as a way to resolve financial problems.