Another Golf betting season is here already. I hope you will join us throughout the season as we begin our 12th year betting golf matchups here on Vegasinsider.com. Last season we finished ok, but for my standards not good enough, too many bad beats and final round disasters hurt our pocket, however we should bounce some of those back this year. Overall we stand at 11 straight winning golf seasons and plus (+) 204 units to the good.
I'll be looking to bet on the Top talent of 2008 like Anthony Kim, Camillo Villegas and Vijay Singh. We'll more than likely fade Kenny Perry, Padraig Harrington and KJ Choi. I predict Tiger Woods will not tee it up until March at Doral for the WGC CA Championship or may even wait and make his return at the 2009 Masters. (Just what the Tour needs is more drama). Greg Norman at Augusta? You bet. If there is a course and event that owes something to somebody, well..........I just hope the sportsbooks have the guts to put him in matchups that week!
I've added a few more stats to my database, stats which I have developed and researched, such as The Best Wind Players, Good Putters on Bad Greens, Players that do not play well at the start or end of a season, and players that still Flog it. Flog is a term used to describe players who's strategy is to just bomb their tee shots, find it, even if it is in the rough or another fairway and advance it to the green with less club in their hand. Vijay Singh had a great season again playing flog. That may not change this year, but in 2010, the PGA Tour will force the players to change their grooves. It is a done deal.
Betting golf matchups are still a gold mine in my opinion. In this day and age you must have multiple outlets in which to catch the best matchups and wagering lines.
Many of you have asked where can I bet these matchups? Shop around the sportsbooks I mention and also the casino sportsbooks in Las Vegas and you will catch almost all of my 100-150 matchups that I post right here. I WILL GO ON RECORD ONCE AGAIN and say that 90% of my matchups you will be able to find at offshore shops, including Sportsbook.com.
Another issue that I will address is the concern of the money-line movement. How much is too much to back away if the line has moved on one of my matchups? In no other sport or sports betting can you beat a 20 or 30 cent line consistently year after year. In golf matchups I've been able to do that. So, can we say that we can beat a 40 or 50 cent line? Possibly, but our profits would shrink dramatically. To answer the question exactly, I cannot, because their are matchups that we bet several times and move the line from -110, -115, -120, -130 and at -130 sometimes it is still a good bet, but at -135 I may not have played it. This is very difficult to judge and you have to use your own best judgment. There is no rule of thumb, but I'll say 25 cents is probably too much. And this happens all the time, I'll bet it at -130 and it'll move, post it for you at -140 and some of YOU, bettors out there move the line too, to -160 and it is out of range to be a profitable wager. So, again use your best judgment.
The Mercedes Championship is held at the Plantation Course at the Kapalua resort, Maui, Hawaii. It is a par 73 (yes a rare 73, not a typo) that will measure 7,411 yards and will usually play much longer due to the prevailing trade winds.
This year Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Padraig Harrington, and Sergio Garcia have decide to skip the free money. Tiger has a good excuse, he is still getting over his knee operation. The field has 33 players, 12 of whom are making their first appearance here at Kapalua.
Those making their first start in the Mercedes Championship:
Player -- Tournament Won
Brian Gay -- Mayakoba Golf Classic
Ryuji Imada -- AT&T Classic
Dustin Johnson -- Turning Stone Championship
Anthony Kim -- Wachovia & AT&T National
Greg Kraft -- Puerto Rico Open
Parker McLachlin -- Legends Reno-Tahoe Open
Chez Reavie -- RBC Canadian Open
Andres Romero -- Zurich Classic In New Orleans
Richard S. Johnson -- U.S. Bank Championship Milwaukee
Marc Turnesa -- Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospital
Camilo Villegas -- BMW Championship & Tour Championship
Johnson Wagner -- Shell Houston Open
I have three matchups posted for this week’s event, including the below – which is complimentary. Don’t forget to check out my Golf Season Package for the entire season.
Parker McLaughlin -125 vs. Wil Mackenzie: McLaughlin is a former Hawaii resident and has played this track at least 25 times. He is sneaky long off the tee and has been relaxing with relatives.
