What Is a 2 Ball Bet In Golf?

If you’re new to golf betting, you might have seen terms like “2 ball bet” and felt unsure about what they mean. Golf betting uses some words you may not be too familiar with, but it’s not as complicated as it first appears.

Keep reading to see why some people choose this bet, how to get started, and what matters most if you’re considering trying 2 ball betting for yourself.

2 Ball Golf Bet Meaning Explained

A 2 ball bet in golf is a straightforward way to bet on a round. The bookmaker picks two golfers who will play at similar times or have similar rankings and pairs them together for this market.

Your only decision is which golfer you believe will score lower than the other in that particular round. You don’t need to worry about the whole field or who wins the tournament; it’s simply a match-up between two players for those 18 holes.

There are three possible outcomes: your selected golfer wins, the other golfer wins, or their scores are exactly the same. Sometimes, bookmakers let you bet on a draw (tie), while others will make the bet void and return your stake if the scores match. How draws are handled can vary, so it might be a good idea to check the rules of the bookmaker you’re using.

Example of a 2 Ball Golf Bet

Let’s look at a practical example. Imagine you’re using an online bookmaker where a 2 ball bet is offered. For one round, you see a match-up between Player A and Player B.

The odds for this bet might look like this:

  • Player A to win the round: 1/1
  • Player B to win the round: 10/11
  • Tie: 7/1

Suppose you place £5 on Player A. As covered earlier, your main aim is for Player A to have a lower score than Player B during that round.

If Player A finishes the round with 71 shots and Player B has 73 shots, your choice wins. The bet pays out £10 in total (your original stake plus £5 profit at odds of 1/1). If both players end with the same score and you haven’t picked the tie option, your stake is usually returned or the bet is settled according to the bookmaker’s terms. It could be wise to check the market rules for the exact details.

2 Ball Betting Rules

It can be useful to understand the main rules that apply when placing a 2 ball bet. This helps ensure you know how things are settled and what to expect in different scenarios.

  • Single Round Only: Your selection is for just one specific round. Both players need to complete all 18 holes for the bet to remain valid.
  • Withdrawals & Disqualifications: If a player pulls out before starting, your stake is usually returned. If withdrawal or disqualification happens mid-round, how the bet is settled depends on the bookmaker’s rules, so you could review these before placing any bet.
  • Ties: Some bookmakers allow you to specifically bet on a tie. At others, if both players end up with the same score and there is no tie option, your bet will often be void and your stake refunded. 
  • Official Scores: Bets are usually settled based on scores published by the tournament organisers, including any amended scores set after the round, such as penalty strokes applied once the round is over.

Checking the full terms and conditions before making your selections might make everything clearer and prevent any surprises after your bet has been placed.

Bet on Golf Online at Bet442

Bet442 features a broad choice of golf bets, including all the major tournaments as well as smaller events throughout the year. As a site licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), every bet placed at Bet442 meets the UK’s strict standards.

Account setup is designed to be simple, so you can start browsing golf bets or casino games at your convenience. Secure payments, customer support, and clear guides make it straightforward to find your way around the website.

Every game and the bets offered use approved technology for fair play, and all results are determined by chance. Bettors should always remember to gamble responsibly and within their means.

**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.

 *All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to these games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.