The biggest Olympic golf rules, format, and scoring explained

Golf is enjoyed by people worldwide who like a steady pace when watching a criminally underrated sport. It is a sport that has gained considerable popularity, particularly with the rise of athletes like Tiger Woods and Bryson DeChambeau.

Like many other sports, golf has many variations. This includes the Japanese favourite called Golf Olympic. It is not connected to the golf variant seen in the Olympic Games; it is simply named that way. Have a look at this game and see what makes it distinct from the rest of the sport, to have an in-depth knowledge of Sportsbet.io golf betting.

What is the golf Olympic game?

The golf Olympic game is one of the more fun sides of the sport. This is usually played alongside a standard rule of golf, but you won’t be doing the normal stroke play. Scoring in golf Olympic is all about the time when you have reached the putting green. 

Getting as close to the hole as possible is the goal for golf Olympic, and players are awarded with these corresponding medals:

• Gold - The closest player to the hole
• Silver - The second-closest player to the hole
• Bronze - The third-closest player to the hole
• Iron - The furthest player to the hole who gets no points.

Extra points are often given for chip-ins, which enhances the excitement across every hole. Beyond these points, golf Olympic has rules that players and viewers must know.

Rules

Here are some of the key Olympic Golf rules you can expect from the game: 

• The Olympic only begins when all the players are safely on the green
• Scoring is based on the order of proximity to the cup
• Medal points are tallied per hole, and those accumulate throughout every round
• Chip-ins or long putts will earn bonus points for the player
• The player with the highest medal total wins the game.

Golf Olympic scoring method

Every player takes their strokes until they reach the green. When a player is on the green, the proximity to the cup is measured to determine the points.

These points accumulate throughout the round, since every hole is counted. The medal points are the key to this, as the four medals are the basis behind the points accrued by every player. 

Features of golf Olympic

Here are some of the features you should expect in the golf Olympic games: 

• Simple and inclusive - It is an easy version of golf to play, which players of all levels can join
• An exciting game - Other than regular golf, this keeps the competition alive even when the match is not close, since you don’t have to get the ball into the hole to win
• A more flexible scoring system - Players can adjust the medal points or bonuses to the group’s liking with this game
• A more social game - This game encourages friendly rivalry and fun side bets with the golf Olympic.

Advanced rules and options

The basic structure of the golf Olympic game is simple, so this is accessible across many golf groups around the world. This makes the game more dynamic, which is seen in some of the most common advanced variations: 

• Double or triple medal points on certain holes - Par 3 holes are often given extra weight since all the players can reach the green quickly. This could be adjusted by making Gold worth six points instead of three.
• Penalty rules - This could be placed on the game, which leads to better results. Here are some of those penalties:
  • Three-putt penalty - If a player three-putts after reaching the green, they could lose the medal or at least get deducted points.
  • Hazard penalty - If the ball lands in a bunker or water trap before reaching the green, that could result in another point deduction.
• Carry over system - If two players tie for a medal, the points are carried over to the next hole. That escalates the stake, making the future holes worth far more.
• Team Olympics - Instead of individual medals, the game could become more group-based. Medals are awarded more collectively, which makes the game more exciting for a larger group of people. 
• Losers’ forfeit - The game becomes even more high-stakes when some groups add a twist to the result. If they lose, they have to do a forfeit, like buying drinks at the clubhouse or treating everyone to snacks.

Alternative golf wagering options at Sportsbet.io

While betting on golf Olympic is fun, it is different from what some people are used to when thinking about golf. At Sportsbet.io, you can bet on golf events and variations.

Have a look at the options you have here: 

Betting types

At Sportsbet.io, variety is a big part of the experience. That can be seen through the many golf betting Olympic types you can find on the platform. For golf, you have all three golf betting types available: 

• Future/upcoming - For your golf betting, you must be aware of the upcoming events or matches you can bet on. With this, you can see the golf events scheduled soon and place bets on them. The deadline is before the event starts. 
• Outrights - Think of this as a way to take big swings, as outright bets are often made months or weeks before an event starts. Think of a tournament, and you will be betting on that well before it starts. By winning an outright wager, you are in for a big-time reward, but that will only be given after the event ends.
• In-play - You can place bets while the golf events/matches are ongoing. You can use the context of the ongoing match to know what wager to place.

Top golf events offered at Sportsbet.io

Sportsbet.io covers a wide range of global golf events from the prestigious majors to weekly tours. Gamblers can place pre-match or live wagers, which makes it possible to follow every swing of the golf club, putt, and big moment. 

Here are some of the biggest tournaments and tours you will find on the platform:

• The Masters - Played annually at the Augusta National, The Masters is one of the most iconic events in golf. Sportsbet.io offers a wide range of betting markets, including outrights.
• U.S. Open Championship - Known for having some of the most challenging courses and unpredictable conditions, the U.S. Open provides bettors with high-value markets. 
• The Open Championship - The oldest major in golf is held in the United Kingdom.   It is famous for the links-style courses and unpredictable weather, which influences your betting strategy.
• PGA Tour - Weekly tournaments held across the United States and beyond, which make for a fantastic opportunity for in-play bets.
• Ryder Cup - A biennial men’s golf competition with a format of the United States vs Europe. It is a fun event to watch due to the competitive stakes and the bragging rights between the two big golf communities.

Betting markets

Like the many golf events you can find on Sportsbet.io, you can also get 

• Top 5/20/30/40 - Bet on whether a player will finish within a certain bracket. This could be within the top 5, 20, 30, or 40.
• End of Round 1 Leader - Predict which golfer will lead after a specific round or even a day.
• Winner - Predict the winner of the golf match. For golf Olympic rules, this is a prediction for the player who accrues the most points across many holes.
• Winning margin - Predict how many points the gold medallist will win in the golf Olympic. In regular golf, you are predicting which golfer will have the lowest total score over a round.
• Over/under - You are given a projected total number of points accrued, and you have to predict if the final score will be over or under that number.

Odds formats

To better understand the golf betting odds, you must know the three types of betting odds on the platform. The important numbers show potential winnings and the likelihood of certain outcomes happening. Find out how to read them here: 

• American - With this format, you have numbers joined by symbols. The plus (+) symbol is meant for underdogs or the most profitable option. The minus (-) symbol is for the favourites, which means they are less profitable markets. 

The positive odds indicate the potential profit you can get, while the negative odds show what you must wager to get a 100 USDT reward.

• Decimal - In this type of odds, the higher number is for the unlikely yet profitable outcome. Lower odds are for the favourites, which means the results are likely to happen, but the bets are less profitable. You can easily calculate the payout for your bet here by multiplying the odds by your bet amount.
• Hong Kong - This type of odds depends on the proximity to one. The ones less than 1 are for the less profitable ones, but more likely to happen. Numbers more than one are for the more profitable ones. If you bet on a market with the exact odds of 1, that is a 1/1 bet for the wager and the amount.

Explore golf betting at Sportsbet.io

Sportsbet.io has built its reputation as one of the best online sportsbooks. While most bettors might know about it through football or basketball, betting on golf is also quite popular here. 

Here are some of the biggest strengths the platform offers: 

A good user-friendly interface

Sportsbet.io has a clean and intuitive user interface, allowing beginners and experienced bettors to place wagers without any unnecessary complexity. Betting on a major tournament like The Masters or a live PGA Tour is made easier. The navigation is seamless, and you can get helpful live data integration by looking at the right-hand side. 

Lastly, the platform is well-optimised for mobile, so you can gamble on golf matches, whether they’re the regular or the Olympic kind, anywhere you go.

Fast and flexible transactions

Sportsbet.io provides you with opportunities to have fast transactions when you make deposits and withdrawals. You have plenty of options on Sportsbet.io, so explore the available payment methods.

The go-to choices are the many cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), Tether (USDT), and more. You can enjoy the benefits of cryptocurrencies, particularly the near-instant transactions.

Security and reliability

Secure socket layer (SSL) encryption safeguards all your details on Sportsbet.io. Alongside that encryption, your transactions are also encrypted and protected, so no one can meddle with your deposits and withdrawals. Expect your gambling experience to go smoothly without any third party to worry about.

Golf betting is at its best with Sportsbet.io

With all the strengths that Sportsbet.io has, including its speed, flexibility, and global coverage of all kinds of golf events. You can make the most out of Golf Olympic bets as well as the regular golf events here.

Enjoy the ride with golf Olympic bets at Sportsbet.io

Whether you are chasing medals in a friendly round of Golf Olympic or backing your favourite professional at The Masters, golf offers more ways to enjoy the game than ever before. In Japan, side games like Olympic keep golf fun, and it becomes more exciting once these bets are available at Sportsbet.io. You can also enjoy other sports like Japanese baseball.

Regular golf already has people enjoying the sport, but it becomes even better when you have a side game. From casual medals with golf Olympic to the big prizes of The Masters, golf’s spirit is alive and well with many betting opportunities at Sportsbet.io.

Frequently asked questions

What is golf nigiri?

Golf Nigiri is a popular Japanese side game often played alongside a standard round of golf. It is essentially a form of friendly betting between players where stakes are agreed in advance. The outcome depends on the individual's performance, so it’s not golf Olympic per se, but it is more of a general term for friendly side bets alongside a regular round.

How to Bet on Golf at a Bookmaker?

To bet on golf at a bookmaker like Sportsbet.io, here are the steps you must follow: 

1. Register for an account - Sign up or register for an account first.
2. Deposit funds - Once you have an account, deposit funds into your Sportsbet.io account to get started with betting.
3. Seek out the golf markets - Find golf in the sportsbook section and look for the events to bet on.
4. Place your wager - Pick out the market you want to bet on, place the wager, and confirm your bet.
5. Wait for the results - After confirming your wager, wait for the results. If you are placing in-play bets, you must stay on track with the matches you are betting on. If you have any questions, you can always ask for assistance.

How do golf betting odds work at Sportsbet.io?

The odds on Sportsbet.io reflect the likelihood and probability of the outcome happening. At the same time, you can also use these golf betting odds to calculate how much money you can earn when you win a bet.

What is Olympic golf? How is it different from regular golf?

Golf Olympic is a casual side game, as it’s not an official format. Scoring only starts once all the players are on the green, and the points are scored based on proximity to the hole. For regular golf, the goal is to have the least amount of strokes to get the ball into the hole.

Does Sportsbet.io accept cryptocurrency for golf betting?

Yes, Sportsbet.io accepts crypto for your golf betting.

What is in-play betting?

In-play betting is for betting on ongoing games. The markets appear and expire depending on what happens in the game. 

How many players can take part in golf Olympic?

Golf Olympic is often played with three or more players. The format works best amongst four players since that covers all the medals.

How is scoring done in golf Olympic?

Players are awarded points once they reach the green. They are given points based on the proximity to the hole. A common point system is three points for first, two for second, and one for third. The last player will not be awarded points, as they are the last-placed player. That corresponds with the four-medal system for golf Olympic as well.

Can golf Olympic be played in pairs or teams?

It is popular amongst solo players, but groups can adapt it into team formats. The pairs will combine their Olympic points, which won’t be hard to adjust if they are already familiar with the popular option.

What are the other golf side games?

• Skins - This is a betting game where each hole as a set value. The player with the lowest score on a hole wins the skin.
• Wolf - Players take turns being the ‘wolf’ on each hole. After seeing the other tee shots, the wolf decides to play the hole alone or pick a partner, and the points are awarded depending on whether the wolf wins or not.