Golf Betting in Michigan
Betting and golf go hand-in-hand better than wagering does in most other sports. Wagers between friends on the links are quite common. The sport is often the subject of wild proposition bets among professional gamblers.
So, naturally, it’s important that Michigan sports bettors know about their betting options for “a good walk spoiled.” With online and retail sportsbooks live in the state, numerous options abound to put a bet on a game played in long pants and, occasionally, genuinely ridiculous clothing.
The primary avenue for betting on golf will be with PGA Tour tournaments. The PGA Tour provides the most prestigious set of competitions for golfers in the world. Furthermore, it hosts a tournament on roughly half the weekends out of the year. So, there are going to be ways to bet on golf in Michigan quite often.
Read on to find out everything you need to know about how to bet on golf in Michigan, from PGA Tour events to a look at the revised PGA season schedule, and exactly where you can place golf bets.
Top sports betting apps for betting on golf
Live golf odds at Michigan online sportsbooks
Below find the current odds on the top 25 golfers listed at MI online sportsbooks for the next PGA Tour event, the Masters, the PGA Championship and the US Open. Use the drop-down menu to select which tournament you want odds for. Click on any odds to go directly to the online sportsbook, claim your bonus and get your bets in.
Bet on 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.
Bet on 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 COVID-19 pandemic. The tournament ran Nov. 12–15, 2020, as part of the 2020-21 PGA Tour season. The 2021 Masters is back to its usual early spring date.
- When: April. 8-11, 2021
- Where: Augusta National Golf Course in Augusta, Georgia
- Purse size: $11,500,000
- Defending champion: Dustin Johnson
Five-time Masters winner Tiger Woods is now out of golf for the foreseeable future following a devastating car accident in California in February. He remains one victory short of Jack Nicklaus‘ record six green jackets. Reigning champion Dustin Johnson is now the world’s top-ranked player. Rory McIlroy can capture the career Grand Slam with a victory at Augusta.
Best Masters Odds Boosts
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 because of the coronavirus pandemic. It’s back to its original slot in May for 2021, with surprise winner Collin Morikawa defending his title.
- When: May 20-23, 2021
- Where: The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, South Carolina
- Purse size: $11,000,000
- Defending champion: Collin Morikawa
While Morikawa claimed his first major, Brooks Koepka won his second-straight PGA Championship in 2019 and will likely be a betting favorite to win the 2021 PGA Championship as well if he regains his health. Other top-five ranked golfers in McIlroy, Johnson, Jon Rahm, and Justin Thomas are generally competitive at the PGA.
The US Open
The US Open is held annually on the course with the toughest setup in the country and is considered the hardest major to win. The 2020 US Open was scheduled for June 18-21, 2020, but was postponed because of COVID-19. The tournament ran Sept. 17-20, 2020 as part of the 2020-21 PGA Tour season. In 2021, it’s back to its usual Father’s Day weekend slot.
- When: June 17-20, 2021
- Where: Torrey Pines South Course in San Diego, California
- Purse size: $12,500,000
- Defending champion: Bryson DeChambeau
Bryson DeChambeau drove his way to his first US Open title in 2020, denying Koepka, McIlroy, Rahm, Johnson, and Thomas. He could prove even tougher this year with his prodigious length off the tee.
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 sand traps and along windy links layouts.
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, instead. The venue remains unchanged.
- 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
Shane Lowry will still be the defending champion when The Open Championship returns after a year off.
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: Barstool Sportsbook
The Sportsbook at Greektown Casino-Hotel is located in the upper level of the casino near Trappers Bar. 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 2021:
Rocket Mortgage Classic
The Rocket Mortgage Classic will take place on July 1-4, 2021 at the Detroit Golf Club in Detroit.
Because of the pandemic, the 2020 Rocket Mortgage Classic was part of the revamped 2019-20 PGA Tour season schedule and was played July 2-5, 2020, with Bryson DeChambeau taking the honors.
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 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 major network TV, and NBC’s Golf Channel will remain the PGA Tour’s cable partner. However, the subscription-video service PGA Tour Live that was offered by NBC Sports Gold has moved over to ESPN Plus in 2021 and expanded 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.
Beginner golf betting tips
There is such a huge variety of golf betting options available at Michigan online sportsbooks that 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 players 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 … well, 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, they wouldn’t need the cash they get from selling the information to you. Study the game, make your own betting choices and diversify.
Golf Betting FAQ
How do I find the best betting lines for PGA Tour events?
You need to shop around to find the best betting lines for PGA Tour events.
However, you will be able to find the best PGA Tour betting lines from the privacy of your own home, now that online and mobile sports betting has launched across Michigan.
How does scoring work for PGA Tour events?
Most PGA Tour events use a scoring system based on stroke play. Every shot counts as one stroke. Then, a player’s total strokes are compared to par for the course up to the hole they are on and expressed in terms of the number of strokes under, even with, or over par.
Let’s say a golfer who shoots a 65 on a par-72 course in the first round. He is then 7-under par, or -7, heading into Round 2.
The lowest cumulative score through four rounds wins most PGA Tour events.
Who holds the record for winning the most majors?
Jack Nicklaus has won a record 18 majors, including six Masters, five PGA Championship, four US Open and three Open Championship wins.
However, Nicklaus’ last win in a major came in the 1986 Masters. Tiger Woods won the 2019 Masters to pull within three major titles of Nicklaus’ record.
Is betting on golf more difficult than other sports?
With so many golfers in the field for PGA Tour events, it can be harder to pick winners in golf than it is in any other sport. Plus, there are many more options for what you can bet on, which may confuse you at first.
That said, it’s as easy to bet on golf as any other sport, and most of the bets are fairly straightforward. In other words, there may be more ways to bet on golf, but it isn’t any more more complicated or harder to bet on than anything else, particularly if you take a little time to research all the golf betting markets Michigan sportsbooks make available.
Should I bet on Tiger Woods?
Editor’s note: Tiger Woods is out of competition indefinitely following a February car crash in California.
Generally speaking, Woods has amassed 109 worldwide wins, including 15 majors, throughout his professional career. At first glance, a statistic like that makes him look like a good bet to win every week. The problem is he’s 45, past his prime, and 10 to 15 years older than the top-ranked golfers in today’s PGA Tour.
Successful golf bettors don’t bet on Woods or any other golfer exclusively. Instead, they look for data that will tell them who’s playing the best heading into next week’s PGA Tour event and which golfers have performed well on that particular course in the past.
Woods’ popularity means Michigan sportsbooks will offer more bets and props surrounding him than anyone else, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to bet on him or against him.