Ever glanced at a golf betting slip and seen the words ‘Win Only’ next to a player's name and been unsure of what you're getting into? You’re not alone. This simple phrase represents the most straightforward way to back a player in a tournament, but knowing what it means - and what it doesn’t - is fundamental to making smarter wagering decisions. This article will break down exactly what a Win Only bet entails, how it compares to other golf wagers, and give you some actionable strategies to help you place these bets with more confidence.
A "Win Only" bet is exactly what it sounds like: You are betting on one specific golfer to win the entire tournament, period. For your bet to be successful, that golfer must finish in first place, either outright or after winning a playoff. Second place, third place, and every other position on the leaderboard are irrelevant in a Win Only bet, they all count as a loss.
Think of it in the most direct terms: if you place a Win Only bet on Justin Thomas at the PGA Championship, you only cash your ticket if he is the one hoisting the Wanamaker Trophy at the end of the final round. If he finishes as the runner-up after a spectacular Sunday charge but loses by a single shot, your bet doesn't pay out. It is a high-risk, high-reward type of wager because you are backing a single outcome in a field that can feature over 150 players.
This all-or-nothing nature is what makes Win Only bets so enticing. Because picking a single winner out of a large field is difficult, the potential payouts - represented by the odds - are often very attractive, even for the tournament favorites.
When you place a Win Only bet, you're backing a player at certain odds. These odds reflect the bookmaker's calculation of that player's probability of winning the event. They can be displayed in a few different formats (American, Decimal, or Fractional), but American odds (e.g., +800) are most common in the U.S.
Let's use a clear example to illustrate:
The number tells you how much profit you’ll make on a $100 bet. So, if you wager $100 on Rory McIlroy to Win Only:
If you bet $100 on Viktor Hovland, a player with longer odds and thus perceived as less likely to win:
Because golf tournaments are so hard to predict, even heavy favorites at the start of the week can have odds that provide a significant return, making Win Only bets a thrilling part of watching golf.
The most common point of confusion for those new to golf betting is the difference between a "Win Only" bet and an "Each Way" bet. While Win Only is black and white, Each Way introduces shades of gray by giving you a kind of 'insurance policy' if your player performs well but falls short of victory.
An "Each Way" (often seen as E/W) bet isn't a single bet, it's two separate bets on the same golfer, with your stake split equally between them:
Because it's two bets, when you put down $10 "Each Way," your total stake is actually $20. You have $10 on the "Win" portion and $10 on the "Place" portion.
The terms of the "Place" portion are set by the bookmaker and are usually displayed near the odds. A common example would be "Paying 8 places at 1/5 odds." This means if your player finishes in the Top 8, the 'Place' part of your bet wins and pays out at 1/5 of the original 'Win' odds.
Let’s say you bet $10 Each Way ($20 total stake) on a golfer at +5000 odds, with the bookmaker paying for the Top 8 places at 1/5 odds. Here are the possible outcomes:
($100 profit from place bet) - ($10 lost on win bet) = $90 Net Profit Choose "Win Only" when:
Choose "Each Way" when:
Placing a successful Win Only bet involves more than just picking a famous name. As a golf coach, I always tell my students that understanding player tendencies and course fit is just as important as having a great swing. The same logic applies to betting.
A player's name recognition is not as important as their recent performance. Is the player you're considering coming off a string of Top 10 finishes? Did they look sharp in their last start, or have they been struggling to make cuts? A confident player is a dangerous player, so favor those who are playing well right now.
Some players feel right at home on certain golf courses. Players like Jordan Spieth always seem to contend at Augusta National, while others find their game clicks on classic links courses. Look up a player’s previous results at the tournament's specific venue. Furthermore, analyze the course itself.
Matching a player's strengths to the course's challenges can help you find incredible value.
While someone like Scottie Scheffler might be the favorite every week, betting on him frequently offers lower returns due to his short odds. Often, the best value lies with players just a tier below the top favorites - golfers in the +2000 to +4000 range who are in good form and whose game fits the course. Winning a single bet on a 40-to-1 shot can make your whole year.
This is the most practical advice. Win Only bets are volatile by nature. It's common to go through long stretches without hitting a winner. Because of this, it’s best to bet in smaller, consistent units that you are comfortable losing. Don't chase losses. Stick to your research, trust your process, and enjoy the ride. The thrill is in making a smart pick and watching it unfold over four days.
A "Win Only" bet is the purest form of golf wager - a simple, high-stakes bet on one player to be the last one standing. Understanding how it compares to an Each Way bet, which offers a safety net for a top finish, allows you to tailor your betting strategy to your confidence level and the specific player you're backing.
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