Golf Betting in Michigan

The 2019-20 PGA season was greatly altered by the global COVID-19 pandemic, with three out of four majors postponed, and the other cancelled.

However, the PGA Tour resumed play on June 8, 2020, with the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas. A revamped 2019-20 schedule will continue without fans in attendance through the beginning of September.

Plus, Michigan online sportsbooks and and mobile apps could go live as early as November 2020, right in the middle of the fall portion of the new 2020-21 schedule. Perhaps even in time for the rescheduled 2020 Masters Tournament, now set for Nov. 9-15 at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia.

All this means golf betting is about to take off in the Great Lakes State and you can be a part of it.

Read on to find out everything you need to know about how to bet on golf in Michigan, from all the different ways you can bet on PGA Tour events, to a look at the revised PGA season schedule, and exactly where you can place golf bets.

How to bet on golf in Michigan

Golf is unique in the world of sports betting because it offers more betting opportunities than most other sports. The reason is that most PGA Tour events start with around 100 golfers and play out over four rounds from Thursday through Sunday. You can imagine all the betting possibilities that presents.

That said, betting on golf is as easy as pie because state retail sportsbooks, and soon Michigan mobile sportsbooks, will offer a massive variety of simple and easy ways you can bet on every PGA Tour event.

The basic PGA golf bets available in Michigan include:

• Win: Pick a winner for the latest PGA Tour event and lock in a bet on that golfer at current moneyline odds. If you’re betting prior to the start of the first round, you should find decent odds on every single golfer in the field.
• Versus the field: Much like a Win bet, except you can bet on one golfer versus a group or the entire field, or take the group or the entire field against that golfer.
• Finishing position: Win bets with some wiggle room as you can bet on a golfer to finish in the top five, 10, or 20 at reduced moneyline odds.
• First round leader: Bet on the golfer you think will lead after Round 1 at moneyline odds.
• Each way: Bet on one golfer to win or finish in the top three, four, or five.
• Nationality: Bet on the nationality of the winner of this week’s PGA Tour event.
• Head–to-head: Bet on one golfer against another at moneyline odds.
• Group betting: Bet on one golfer against a set group of four or more at moneyline odds.
• 2/3 balls: Bet on one golfer out of a group of three at moneyline odds.

Live golf betting

Live golf betting provides you the opportunity to bet on a PGA Tour event in the middle of a round at odds that are constantly changing with the action on the course. The betting options available are generally the same as the basic bets listed above, except the golf betting odds are continually adjusted.

Live golf betting also gives you the chance to wager hole by hole, and even shot by shot, adding literally thousands of betting opportunities during competitions. As you can imagine, these markets move quickly, making them only truly possible with Michigan online and mobile sportsbooks.

Golf futures

The PGA Tour season generally surrounds golf’s four majors, the FedExCup Playoffs and the Tour Championship. That’s why golf futures markets at Michigan sportsbooks also focus on these events.

That means you can make moneyline odds bets on any golfer to win The Masters, PGA Championship, Open Championship, US Open, and the Tour Championship all year long at Michigan sportsbooks.

You’ll find that the odds are adjusted throughout the year alongside each golfer’s chances. Of course, it is worth noting that the further from an event it is, the better the golf betting odds usually are for true favorites. That means it’s a good idea to book golf futures early and take advantage of these prices.

Golf props

You can bet on all kinds of things happening inside a golf tournament outside of the actual results at Michigan sportsbooks.

These golf props are side bets on many things that may or may not happen involving one golfer or the entire field. Will there be a hole in one? Will Tiger Woods have a bogey-free round? Will there be more or less than 30 birdies on the ninth hole?

Think of any question like this surrounding a PGA Tour event and you’ll probably find a prop bet on it available at a Michigan sportsbook, so check them out and see what is available.

Betting on the golf majors

Golf’s four majors attract bigger viewing audiences and more betting than any other PGA Tour events. It’s no wonder, since the majors are all about the best golfers competing for historic titles on the most challenging and beautiful courses on the planet.

Golf futures surround these events and most sportsbooks also increase the number of basic bets, props, and live golf betting options they offer for majors.

Here’s a detailed look at golf’s four majors.

The Masters

The Masters is usually the first major of the season and the PGA Tour’s most iconic event. The 2020 Masters was scheduled for April 9–12 but was postponed during the pandemic. The tournament is now scheduled for Nov. 12–15, 2020, and is a part of the 2020-21 PGA Tour season.

• When: Nov. 12-15, 2020
• Where: Augusta National Golf Course in Augusta, Georgia
• Purse size: $11,500,000
• Defending champion: Tiger Woods

Woods is now one of the older players on tour, but he managed to win his fifth green jacket in 2019 and is now just one short of Jack Nicklaus‘ record sixth. However, 15-years Woods’ junior, Brooks Koepka tied for runner-up in 2019 and is dominating the PGA Tour these days, making him the favorite to win everything.

The PGA Championship

The PGA Championship was moved to a month after The Masters a few years ago. However, the 2020 PGA Championship was moved from May 14-17, 2020, to Aug. 3-9, 2020, because of the global COVID-19 pandemic and it will be the only major that is part of the 2019-20 PGA Tour season.

• When: Aug. 3-9, 2020
• Where: TPC Harding Park in San Francisco, California
• Purse size: $11,000,000
• Defending champion: Brooks Koepka

Koepka won his second-straight PGA Championship in 2019 and will be the betting favorite to win the 2019-20 PGA Tour’s only major. Other top-five ranked golfers Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Dustin Johnson, and Justin Thomas should also be competitive.

The US Open

The US Open is held annually on the toughest course in the country and is considered the hardest major to win. The 2020 US Open Championship was scheduled for June 18-21, 2020, but was postponed because of COVID-19. The tournament is now scheduled for Sept. 17-20, 2020, and is a part of the 2020-21 PGA Tour season.

• When: Sept. 17-20, 2020
• Where: Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, NY
• Purse size: $12,500,000
• Defending champion: Gary Woodland

Woodland drove his way to his first major title at the US Open in 2019, denying Koepka, McIlroy, Rahm, Johnson, and Thomas. He could prove even tougher this year.

The Open Championship

The Open Championship, also known as the British Open, is held annually in the United Kingdom on a tough course with overgrown rough, deep traps, unkempt fairways and tough greens.

The 2020 Open Championship was scheduled for July 16-19, 2020, at Royal St George’s Golf Club in Sandwich, England. However, it was canceled in the wake of the pandemic. The 2021 Open Championship is now set for July 15-18, 2021, at Royal St George’s instead.

• When: July 15-18, 2021
• Where: Royal St. George’s Golf Club in Sandwich, Kent, England
• Estimated purse size: $10,750,000
• Defending champion: Shane Lowry

Lowry will still be the defending champion when The Open Championship returns after a year off. Of course, Rory McIlroy will be the betting favorite, as he most often is on the other side of the Atlantic.

What are the best places for betting on golf in Michigan?

The retail sports betting experience can be a really good time, especially when there’s a big golf tournament going on. Here are a few places with the latest odds that you’ll want to check out here in Michigan.

Greektown Casino-Hotel / The Sportsbook at Greektown

• Name: The Sportsbook at Greektown Casino-Hotel
• Address: 55 E Lafayette St, Detroit, MI 48226
• Phone: (313) 223-2999
• Sportsbook hours: M-F: 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. S/S: 9 a.m. – Midnight
• Online sportsbook: Future deal with Barstool Sportsbook

The Sportsbook at Greektown Casino-Hotel is located in the upper level of the casino near Trappers Bar. Soon to be rebranded with the Barstool Sports name, there are five betting windows and 40 self-serve kiosks throughout the property.

Turtle Creek Casino / Onyx Sportsbook

• Name: Onyx Sportsbook by William Hill
• Address: 7741 M-72, Williamsburg, MI 49690
• Phone: (231) 534-8870
• Sportsbook hours: M-Th: Noon – 12 a.m. Fr/Sa: 10 a.m. – 2 a.m. Su: 10 a.m. – Midnight.
• Online sportsbook: William Hill app

Onyx Sportsbook by William Hill is a good time. There are complimentary games, a full-service bar, and an outdoor patio to enjoy as you watch the games. Betting windows and self-serve kiosks will be on standby for wagers as needed.

Little River Casino Resort / River Rock Sportsbook & Grill

• Name: River Rock Sportsbook & Grill
• Address: 2700 Orchard Hwy, Manistee, MI 49660
• Phone: (231) 398-3976
• Sportsbook hours: M-Th: 2 p.m. – Midnight. F/S/S: 10 a.m. – Midnight
• Bar hours: 7 days – 10 a.m. – 2 a.m.
• Online sportsbook: BetRivers app

The River Rock Sportsbook & Grill has betting windows located right inside of the restaurant and self-serve kiosks elsewhere. Featuring a full menu and a sports bar atmosphere with plenty of screens, this is a great place to watch all of the latest golf action.

There are several other terrific options to consider when you want to head out to watch and wager on golf. Included on that list is the FanDuel Sportsbook at MotorCity Casino Hotel in Detroit, and the 131 Sportsbook & Lounge at Gun Lake Casino in Wayland.

The PGA Tour in Michigan

Despite a lot of changes to the season schedule, the PGA Tour is still coming to Michigan in 2020:

Rocket Mortgage Classic

Originally set to take place on May 25-31, 2020 at the Detroit Golf Club in Detroit, Michigan, the 2020 Rocket Mortgage Classic was postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, the 2020 Rocket Mortgage Classic was part of the revamped 2019-20 PGA Tour season schedule and was rescheduled for July 2-5, 2020.

US golfer Nate Lashley won the inaugural Rocket Mortgage Classic in 2019 by six strokes over Doc Redman.

Where to watch PGA Tour events in Michigan

In March 2020, the PGA Tour inked a new broadcast rights deal ensuring its events will air on CBS, NBC, and over the internet on ESPN Plus for the next decade.

CBS and NBC retained the TV rights and ESPN the digital broadcast rights to PGA Tour events through 2030.

CBS Sports and NBC Sports will continue to show FedExCup tournaments on TV and NBC’s Golf Channel will remain the PGA Tour’s cable partner. However, the subscription-video service PGA Tour Live currently offered by NBC Sports Gold is moving over to ESPN Plus in 2021 and expanding to four livestreaming channels during events.

The PGA says the ESPN Plus deal should make more event coverage available. The tour has been working on expanding the PGA Tour Live product and plans to make every shot at majors available for viewing on the platform. NBC and CBS will begin broadcasting all three FedExCup Playoff events in alternating years starting with NBC in 2022. FedExCup Playoff tournaments currently alternate by event on the networks.

The PGA Tour in 2020

In March 2020, The PGA Tour canceled The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, after just one round due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It also canceled the next three events on the PGA Tour schedule.

Further postponements and cancellations would follow, including the rescheduling of three out of four majors and the canceling of the 2020 Open Championship. Then, in April 2020, the tour announced it would be coming back in June 2020 with a revamped schedule for the remainder of the 2019-20 season and the start of the 2020-21 season in the fall.

The PGA Tour returned with a rescheduled Charles Schwab Challenge starting June 8, 2020. The remainder of the season was rescheduled and will wrap up with the Tour Championship ending on Labor Day Monday, Sept. 7.

Events are closed to the public but the PGA Tour is monitoring the situation and may allow fans as the season continues.

The 2020-21 PGA Tour season schedule has been revamped and now features 13 FedExCup events, including a rescheduled 2020 U.S. Open and 2020 Masters. It will begin with the Safeway Open in Napa, California, in September.

Here’s a look at the revised 2019-20 PGA Tour schedule:

• June 15-21, 2020: RBC Heritage, Harbour Town Golf Links, Hilton Head, South Carolina
• June 22-28, 2020: Travelers Championship, TPC River Highlands, Cromwell, Connecticut
• July 2-5, 2020: Rocket Mortgage Classic, Detroit Golf Club, Detroit, Michigan
• July 6-12, 2020: John Deere Classic, TPC Deere Run, Silvis, Illinois
• July 13-19, 2020: The Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide, Muirfield Village Golf Club, Dublin, Ohio
• July 20-26, 2020: 3M Open, TPC Twin Cities, Blaine, Minnesota
• July27-Aug. 2, 2020: World Golf Championships-FedEx St. Jude Invitational, TPC Southwind, Memphis, Tennessee
• July27-Aug. 2, 2020: Barracuda Championship, Tahoe Mountain Club (Old Greenwood), Truckee, California
• Aug. 3-9, 2020: PGA Championship, TPC Harding Park, San Francisco, California
• Aug. 10-16, 2020: Wyndham Championship, Sedgefield Country Club, Greensboro, North Carolina
• Aug. 17-23, 2020: The Northern Trust-TPC Boston, Norton, Massachusetts (FedExCup Playoffs)
• Aug. 24-30, 2020: BMW Championship, Olympia Fields Country Club, Olympia Fields, Illinois (FedExCup Playoffs)
• Aug. 31-Sept. 7, 2020: Tour Championship, East Lake Golf Club, Atlanta, Georgia (FedExCup Playoffs)

Here’s a look at the planned Fall Portion of the 2020-21 PGA Tour schedule:

• Sept. 7-13, 2020: Safeway Open, Silverado Resort and Spa North, Napa, California
• Sept. 14-20, 2020: U.S. Open, Winged Foot Golf Club, Mamaroneck, New York
• Sept. 21-27, 2020: Ryder Cup, Whistling Straits, Kohler, Wisconsin
• Sept. 21-27, 2020: Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship, Corales Golf Club, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
• Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2020: Sanderson Farms Championship, Country Club of Jackson, Jackson, Mississippi
• Oct. 5-11, 2020: Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, TPC Summerlin, Las Vegas, Nevada
• Oct. 12-18, 2020: The CJ Cup, nine Bridges, Nine Bridges, Jeju Island, Korea
• Oct. 19-25, 2020: Zozo Championship, Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club, Chiba Prefecture, Japan
• Oct. 26-Nov. 1, 2020: World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions, Sheshan International Golf Club, Shanghai, China
• Oct. 26-Nov. 1, 2020: Bermuda Championship, Port Royal Golf Course, Southampton, Bermuda
• Nov. 2-8, 2020: Houston Open, Memorial Park Golf Course, Houston, Texas
• Nov. 9-15, 2020: Masters Tournament, Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Georgia
• Nov. 16-22, 2020: The RSM Classic, Sea Island Resort (Seaside and Plantation), Sea Island, Georgia
• Nov. 30-Dec. 6, 2020: Mayakoba Golf Classic, El Camaleón Golf Club, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
• Nov. 30-Dec. 6, 2020: Hero World Challenge, Albany, New Providence, Bahamas
• Dec. 7-13, 2020: QBE Shootout, Tiburón GC, Naples, Florida
• Dec. 14-20, 2020: PNC Father-Son Challenge, The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, Orlando, Florida

Beginner golf betting tips

There are such a huge variety of golf betting options available at Michigan online sportsbooks it can be hard to know where to start.

Employ some basic tenets of proper bankroll management, use real-life PGA Tour data to help inform your picks, and try the following beginner golf betting tips:

• Study the game: Consume everything you can about golf, with a particular focus on recent PGA Tour results. That’ll help you determine who’s hot coming into an event and how the game’s most successful are set up to win in the majors.
• Diversify: Because there are no real odds-on favorites, the golf betting odds on most players to win a PGA Tour event can be very attractive. As a result, it makes sense to bet as many golfers to win as you can, up to the point where you’ll still make a little profit if one does. Then, if they’re all out of it on Sunday, try to make some of your money back betting on the contenders. In other words, spread your money around a little and diversify your PGA golf bets.
• The secret is there is no secret: Golf touts and tipsters might try to sell you this week’s sure thing. Don’t buy it. If they knew who was going to win every PGA Tour event, these scammers wouldn’t need the cash they get from selling the information to you. Study the game, make your own betting choices, and diversify.