Common Mistakes When Betting Early in a Golf Season

As with any sport, it can be a challenge to bet on golf early in the season.  When the season opens, you don’t have as much information as you do later on.  What are some specific cautions to observe while you are wagering to make sure you don’t fall into common traps?  Try to avoid these mistakes:

• Assuming that every player will perform according to his reputation.  Golf is a sport where celebrity is a big deal, but that does not mean that all the most famous players will be playing at top form at the start of the season (or later in the season, for that matter).  Add to that the fact that many of these players do not take the start of the season as seriously as the end of it, and you can actually expect to see some slacking off in the beginning.

• Ignoring new players and returning players who have taken some time away.  These players will often be strong all season, but will be particularly focused at the start.  They will often be performing at their best when talented veterans are not, and may make particularly smart bets early in the season.

• Not doing your homework regarding golfer injuries.  Some injuries leave lasting damage for years; others are not such a big deal, and a player may recover completely in a year or less.  Do not assume that a player is still injured from last year without looking it up first. 

• Managing your bankroll poorly.  Golf seasons are long, and that means that you may be betting a number of times coming up—if you do not blow all your chances at the start of the season.  It can be exciting jumping back into golf after the off-season, but you should try to restrain your enthusiasm.  You don’t want to use up all your bankroll on early season betting opportunities.  Opportunities later in the season are bound to be more lucrative.

• Ignoring changes in the rules.  Each year, there is a chance that the rules for a golf tournament will be revised, and those changes can impact players in different ways.  Be sure to read up on any changes that have been made this year, and think carefully about the ramifications. 

You may spot some very profitable betting opportunities online early in the golf season, but only if you do your research and approach your wagers with caution.  A lot of bettors will get over-excited and will immediately put their money on the big names.  If you spot a new player or returning player who is coming back strong, placing your money on that golfer could be a great decision. 

If you are in doubt about where to place your money this early in the season, there is nothing wrong with holding off.  Sit back, observe, do your homework, and save up your golf bets for later in the season when you will have a better idea of what is going on.