Betting and the PGA Tour

[jj9000]

How do you folks think legalized betting is going to affect the game?

 

I'm surprised that this already hasn't happened, but, I can definitely see the (BaBaBooey/Mashed Potatoes/Get in the Hole) guy having a decent sum of money on a player's Over/Under...and either yelling or paying someone to yell during that player's backswing.

 

I understand there's a lot of money to be made betting on the PGA, but, there's going to be some unintended consequences.

 

Thoughts?

[nyrican52884]

I thought it was interesting at the end of last night's broadcast on GC they said Rory was 8:1 odds of winning the masters and DJ was 10:1. I've never heard them call out betting odds before or maybe I just never noticed it.

[bladehunter]

It’s not a good thing.

[OldTomMorris]

I thought it was interesting at the end of last night's broadcast on GC they said Rory was 8:1 odds of winning the masters and DJ was 10:1. I've never heard them call out betting odds before or maybe I just never noticed it.

 

It's normal I've heard it often on GC. I didn't hear it this time but they usually reference a UK bookmaker though eg. odds from Ladbrokes UK.

[Sixcat]

On one hand, fantasy sports gambling is a huge market. It would likely draw attention from non-traditional golf fans. On the other hand, it would likely draw attention from non-traditional golf fans.

[Swisstrader98]

Zero effect.

 

Even some complete dope who has money riding on one particular golfer realizes that him shouting something out during a guys backswing isn’t going to affect the outcome much. Also most of the tour guys know how to tune out any outside noise. Further, if you’ve bet on someone to win, you’d have to shout at the entire rest of the field to move the needle even a hair and would get tossed by security after one or two times, so as I say, zero effect.

 

 

 

[bladehunter]

On one hand, fantasy sports gambling is a huge market. It would likely draw attention from non-traditional golf fans. On the other hand, it would likely draw attention from non-traditional golf fans.

 

Bingo. That’s my thought. It will draw in eyes. Eyes of more football fans ( both kinds). Who needs that ?

[OldTomMorris]

In my opinion when I've heard PGA Tour people talk about this they seem to massively overestimate additional fan engagement via betting and underestimate the potential downsides.

 

That said in terms of the latter, at PGA Tour level in order for a player to be vulnerable he'd have to have huge casino debts or something.

[Hawkeye77]

Why "is"? Commish didn't say anything to make it look like it's happening any time soon. Unfortunately, it is on the radar screen and would be a huge, huge mistake.

 

Probably still a long time coming IF it "is".

[jj9000]

Zero effect.

 

Even some complete dope who has money riding on one particular golfer realizes that him shouting something out during a guys backswing isn’t going to affect the outcome much. Also most of the tour guys know how to tune out any outside noise. Further, if you’ve bet on someone to win, you’d have to shout at the entire rest of the field to move the needle even a hair and would get tossed by security after one or two times, so as I say, zero effect.

 

I disagree with almost the entirety of this post.

 

You've got guys backing off of their swings when someone makes a cell phone picture shutter click.

 

Also...the guys placing wagers aren't going to bet the Under, or "to win" on a certain golfer... they're gonna bet the Over. Then...pay someone to yell during the player's backswing. Therefore, affecting the shot for the worse, and increasing the chances of winning money.

[Swisstrader98]

jj9000 said:

Swisstrader98 wrote:

 

Zero effect.

 

 

 

Even some complete dope who has money riding on one particular golfer realizes that him shouting something out during a guys backswing isn’t going to affect the outcome much. Also most of the tour guys know how to tune out any outside noise. Further, if you’ve bet on someone to win, you’d have to shout at the entire rest of the field to move the needle even a hair and would get tossed by security after one or two times, so as I say, zero effect.

 

 

 

I disagree with almost the entirety of this post.

 

 

 

You've got guys backing off of their swings when someone makes a cell phone picture shutter click.

 

 

 

Also...the guys placing wagers aren't going to bet the Under, or "to win" on a certain golfer... they're gonna bet the Over. Then...pay someone to yell during the player's backswing. Therefore, affecting the shot for the worse, and increasing the chances of winning money.

Gambling in Europe via Ladbrokes has been around forever. No one in Europe running around shouting at a golfer to try to increase their chances of winning. Same can be said for tennis or a million other sports. Are you seeing people with slingshots at horse races?? Of course not. 

[OldTomMorris]

Swisstrader98 said:

jj9000 said:

Swisstrader98 wrote:

 

Zero effect.

 

 

 

Even some complete dope who has money riding on one particular golfer realizes that him shouting something out during a guys backswing isn’t going to affect the outcome much. Also most of the tour guys know how to tune out any outside noise. Further, if you’ve bet on someone to win, you’d have to shout at the entire rest of the field to move the needle even a hair and would get tossed by security after one or two times, so as I say, zero effect.

 

 

 

I disagree with almost the entirety of this post.

 

 

 

You've got guys backing off of their swings when someone makes a cell phone picture shutter click.

 

 

 

Also...the guys placing wagers aren't going to bet the Under, or "to win" on a certain golfer... they're gonna bet the Over. Then...pay someone to yell during the player's backswing. Therefore, affecting the shot for the worse, and increasing the chances of winning money.

Gambling in Europe via Ladbrokes has been around forever. No one in Europe running around shouting at a golfer to try to increase their chances of winning. Same can be said for tennis or a million other sports. Are you seeing people with slingshots at horse races?? Of course not. But corruption is rife

[kylelutes]

I don't think you'll see any ill effects.  Time will tell .