How would you react if PGA Tour players were betting on themselves and others?

[LimaSierra]

There was obviously some big news in the NFL today, with 4 players including Isaiah Rodgers being suspended for a year because he bet on a Colts related prop bet. Since the NFL is a team game, it brings into question the integrity of the game. 

 

But this got me thinking. Golf is an individual sport so its not like a golfer would gain an unfair advantage by betting on themselves. But it does raise a few questions and is prohibited by the tour

 

So if you heard news that a golfer bet on themselves to win/finish top 5-10 at a tournament, how would you feel about it?

 

And would you reaction be any different if a golfer bet on someone else to win/finish high. (Just for example picking 2 names) say if Max Homa bet on Spieth to finish top 5 at the Memorial.

Edited June 29, 2023 by LimaSierra

[slprince67]

wouldnt bother me in the least if a player bet on themselves to win...... Betting on another player really doesnt bother me either.  I would only be concerned in head to head matchups and a player bet on his opponent....

 

I think a lot of players will place little wagers when they go overseas.... or at least the caddies will place a few bets.

 

 

[Bigjim1022]

I find it ridiculous that the NFL has big deals with all these gambling sites and push fantasy football and are shocked and appalled that players use them just like so many others.  
 

I could care less if players bet in themselves or others.  
 

Also since we’re on betting, Pete Rose should have been banned and I’m fine with him still being banned from baseball.  The rule at the time was as black & white as it could be, don’t bet on baseball periods.  Had been that way for 50 years before he come along.  

The hypocrisy all over these days is mind boggling.  All decisions come down to money, maybe it was better hidden in the past or maybe now I’ve reached the age that I see thru the BS.  Idk…cash rules everything around me has never been more true and obvious.  
 

Ok rant over 😂

Edited June 30, 2023 by Bigjim1022

[3whacker]

the amount of money bet by old school pros on Mon/Tues practice rounds was staggering....these guys bet automatic 1 down presses, they would even press when the ball was in the air....and what I remember most was when my friend turned to me and asked how much money do you have on you, and there was no way I was betting my bartending tip money on a round of golf where I was just the caddie and spectator

[Soloman1]

Oops.

Edited June 30, 2023 by Soloman1

[Chunkitgood]

Not sure how bets are structured.  With the NFL I believe you can bet against a particular player performing to a certain standard, so that player can bet against himself and then intentionally perform poorly and make money.  I can easily see a journeyman golfer betting against himself if possible perhaps even via surrogates and making more than he makes from prize money in a year by playing poorly.

 

In general if participants in any event can bet against themselves in a public pool, sooner or later somebody will take a dive.

 

There’s a reason they call gambling a vice, and a reason it used to be illegal.  I personally think people should bet on anything they want to, it’s their problem if it makes them suckers.  It does say something the nature of an institution whether governmental or private that it should oppose an activity such as gambling or marijuana sales…right up to the point it figures out it can make money off of it.  Hypocrisy is not the word, the word is corruption.

 

Gambling in which the state takes a cut sure seems to be a sign of civilizational rot, or maybe just some sort of reversion to mean or normality, which is even more depressing.

[3whacker]

1 hour ago, Chunkitgood said:

Not sure how bets are structured.  With the NFL I believe you can bet against a particular player performing to a certain standard, so that player can bet against himself and then intentionally perform poorly and make money.  I can easily see a journeyman golfer betting against himself if possible perhaps even via surrogates and making more than he makes from prize money in a year by playing poorly.

 

In general if participants in any event can bet against themselves in a public pool, sooner or later somebody will take a dive.

 

There’s a reason they call gambling a vice, and a reason it used to be illegal.  I personally think people should bet on anything they want to, it’s their problem if it makes them suckers.  It does say something the nature of an institution whether governmental or private that it should oppose an activity such as gambling or marijuana sales…right up to the point it figures out it can make money off of it.  Hypocrisy is not the word, the word is corruption.

 

Gambling in which the state takes a cut sure seems to be a sign of civilizational rot, or maybe just some sort of reversion to mean or normality, which is even more depressing.

the state of Nevada says hello.....many states have figured out a way to make a popular recreational plant legal and the state takes their cut....same with alcohol sales

[jordan2240]

Bet on yourself to win, fine.  Bet on another player to win if you are in the same tournament, now you're getting into a questionable area.  Assuming you would make more by winning the tournament than winning the bet, it wouldn't prevent you from trying to win, but there's always the possibility you might make more by winning the bet, and that's a problem.

[AltC]

Professional Sports are an entertainment industry as is Gambling (allegedly) however it has issues with addiction and people getting burned financially so ethically questionable whilst still legal in some jurisdictions! But the idea of professional sportsmen betting ( in an open gambling market) - on themselves or others in the field is just plain wrong - no matter the circumstances it has the potential to vary results and skew the outcomes. Players golf betting against each other in practice rounds is fine by me - but once the tournament starts no way!

[smashdn]

I see we have a Fantasy and Wagering sub-forum but don't think this topic really fits there.

 

The recent news of suspensions in the NFL got me thinking this morning on the way into work about how gambling works in professional golf.  I understand the reluctance in other leagues to allow gambling/betting is to ensure integrity of the competition and make sure that players do not "throw" games.

 

But there is a different dynamic with golf overall.  Gambling is ingrained to a large extent.  You can have a wager on the line that pays out via each hole (skins or similar).  You can have a bet with a competitor in match play.  You can bet the winner of a stroke play event.  You can even buy teams via a calcutta.

 

For those that know, how is gambling regulated, or not, at the professional levels?  Can you put a bet on yourself?  Can you place a bet on someone else?  If yes, does that in any way bring into question the integrity of the competition?  Can a player place a bet on another player in an event that they themselves are not playing in?

 

Seems the NFL has some very grey rules about where a player can gamble and on what and when.  I was just curious how professional golf addresses it.

[bladehunter]

I’d say it will be the sports downfall. How long before lower level guys get smart and join up to bet on one of their posse to do badly ?  They can potentially make more Doing that than playing.  Just so long as they alternate who misses the cut which week .   Baseball has never seemed to find it ok. I don’t know why golf would. 

[smashdn]

Can you place an exacta or the like type of bet on a golf tournament outcome?

 

I think boxers are able to bet on themselves.  I wonder if tennis is similar.

[AltC]

Well look at what happened in cricket and Asian soccer - totally messed with by Asian gambling syndicates- where there is enough money there will be corruption in its broadest sense!

[bscinstnct]

10 minutes ago, bladehunter said:

I’d say it will be the sports downfall. How long before lower level guys get smart and join up to bet on one of their posse to do badly ?  They can potentially make more Doing that than playing.  Just so long as they alternate who misses the cut which week .   Baseball has never seemed to find it ok. I don’t know why golf would. 

 

 

 

 

[Soloman1]

Players hedged their bets in the days of old by agreeing to split their winnings. The tour stopped that.

[nitram]

They're doing it now, albeit through a surrogate . . .

[Sp4zRX]

Betting from inside the ropes is wrong. Would I personally care if a player bet on themselves? No. Would I care if they bet on another player? No. Should it be allowed? Absolutely not. 

[dono]

57 minutes ago, bladehunter said:

Baseball has never seemed to find it ok. I don’t know why golf would. 

Pete Rose

[bladehunter]

38 minutes ago, bscinstnct said:

 

 

 

 

It’s funny.  I’ve been called that several times. And the irony is. I’ve never once placed an actual bet on anything except throwing money into a pot during dogfights , betting on myself.    I have the gene. No doubt. But it doesn’t interest me at the same time.  I feel sorry for those who can’t enjoy competition  without it.  

[bladehunter]

1 minute ago, dono said:

Pete Rose

Exactly. 

[tiderider]

Bruce Willis bet on himself in Pulp Fiction ... worked out ok for him ... 

 

[straightshot7]

It would be a very slippery slope.

 

what if a guy bet on another guy to finish top 10, and deliberately messes up his own score to win the bet.

 

what if a guy bet on another guy and they are paired together. The bettor maybe doesn’t police the other player as much as he normally would. And what if one of those guys happens to be Patrick Reed. 

[bscinstnct]

2 hours ago, bladehunter said:

It’s funny.  I’ve been called that several times. And the irony is. I’ve never once placed an actual bet on anything except throwing money into a pot during dogfights , betting on myself.    I have the gene. No doubt. But it doesn’t interest me at the same time.  I feel sorry for those who can’t enjoy competition  without it.  

 

Ya, gambling including sports betting fueled trillion dollar business empires, both legal and illegal, and now I see it’s largely legal. 
 

Obviously 99% of bettors are long term losers, but you’d never know it cause, to hear them tell it, they all “up a bit” 🤣

 

Not sure if it’s better now that people can max out their credit cards but at least not be on the hook with the bookies and the juice. 
 

Like this one guy, he always betting, think he smart, loses and tries not to pay. So, of course one day he walking down the street and this goon walks up to him like, 

 

Hey, how are ya? Are you so and so? Yeah, you know, you got some really nice teeth. 
 

😳

Edited June 30, 2023 by bscinstnct

[bladehunter]

5 minutes ago, bscinstnct said:

 

Ya, gambling including sports betting fueled trillion dollar businesses, both legal and illegal, and now I see it’s largely legal. 
 

Obviously 99% of bettors are long term losers, but you’d never know it cause, to hear them tell it, they all “up a bit” 🤣

 

Not sure if it’s better now that people can max out their credit cards but at least not be on the hook with the bookies and the juice. 
 

Like this one guy, he always betting, think he smart, loses and tries not to pay. So, of course one day he walking down the street and this goon walks up to him like, 

 

Hey, how are ya? Are you so and so? Yeah, you know, you got some really nice teeth. 
 

😳

See im the type that can pick winners 😂. I get “ feelings “ that translate.  Which really means I’m a people watcher. I saw Jordan Spieth coming years before that day at the John Deere.  I called the cubs championship in 1992.  I mean  I didn’t know when. But I knew …🤓.       But I also believe in bad luck.  And I have it , even though I work to overcome it in day to day life .  If I bet on a team or a player. That player is 120 % screwed for the event.  Because he now has my luck.  This is why I don’t bet.  

Edited June 30, 2023 by bladehunter

[bscinstnct]

8 minutes ago, bladehunter said:

See im the type that can pick winners 😂. I get “ feelings “ that translate.  Which really means I’m a people watcher. I saw Jordan Spieth coming years before that day at the John Deere.  I called the cubs championship in 1992.  I mean  I didn’t know when. But I knew …🤓.       But I also believe in bad luck.  And I have it , even though I work to overcome it in day to day life .  If I bet on a team or a player. That player is 120 % screwed for the event.  Because he now has my luck.  This is why I don’t bet.  

 

🤣

 

Well now you talkin like cosmic waves!

 

Sure, the planets align on rare occasions and you just know something big is at play!

 

The only time I been to casino was bachelor party. I got no clue so I go play dollar slots and bam! Win a few hundy like 3rd time!

 

So, I’m wandering around and I see the craps table and the groom to be is losing all his money lol

 

But, this new “shooter” come over, he pimp! But I mean he musta really been a pimp, he got this track suit and gold and diamonds and two fine ladies at his side. 
 

I tell my boy, bet it all on this guy! So he’s betting on him but not enough, I’m like bet it all while he on a run!!

 

So he made lot of money back then he lose it all playing War 🤣🤣

[jdl]

Betting on themselves seems like a non-event, I mean they kind of are always "betting on themselves" by being a professional golfer. It's changing a little but still mostly a meritocracy so adding money in via a wager doesn't make much sense to me.

 

Betting on someone else? Eh, doesn't seem like a big deal to me but I guess there might be some scenarios where it would raise questions. But not to the level of other sports.

[One Putter]

14 hours ago, Bigjim1022 said:

I find it ridiculous that the NFL has big deals with all these gambling sites and push fantasy football and are shocked and appalled that players use them just like so many others.  
 

I could care less if players bet in themselves or others.  
 

Also since we’re on betting, Pete Rose should have been banned and I’m fine with him still being banned from baseball.  The rule at the time was as black & white as it could be, don’t bet on baseball periods.  Had been that way for 50 years before he come along.  

The hypocrisy all over these days is mind boggling.  All decisions come down to money, maybe it was better hidden in the past or maybe now I’ve reached the age that I see thru the BS.  Idk…cash rules everything around me has never been more true and obvious.  
 

Ok rant over 😂

You do realize that NFL players are privy to information that we are not, right? It's kind of like insider trading. I absolutely do not think that is OK. I'm a person who doesn't gamble because i think it is a stupid activity for people who suck at math, but if i was betting on these games i would absolutely feel that they have an unfair advantage.

 

You wanna be a pro athlete, don't gamble. It's a pretty simple rule really.

Edited June 30, 2023 by One Putter

[straightshot7]

2 hours ago, bladehunter said:

See im the type that can pick winners 😂. I get “ feelings “ that translate.  Which really means I’m a people watcher. I saw Jordan Spieth coming years before that day at the John Deere.  I called the cubs championship in 1992.  I mean  I didn’t know when. But I knew …🤓.       But I also believe in bad luck.  And I have it , even though I work to overcome it in day to day life .  If I bet on a team or a player. That player is 120 % screwed for the event.  Because he now has my luck.  This is why I don’t bet.  

jordan spieth? What gave it away?

 

“In 2009 at Trump National Bedminster and 2011 at Gold Mountain, Spieth won the U.S. Junior Amateur and joined Tiger Woods as the tournament's only two-time winners.^[5] Before turning 18 in July 2011, he was No. 1 in the AJGA Golf Rankings, which promotes the best junior golfers in the world.”

 

“In his freshman year at Texas, Spieth won three events and led the team in scoring average.^[17]He helped his team win the NCAA championship, was named to the All-Big 12Team, Big 12 Freshman of the Year and Player of the Year, and was a first-team All-American.^[18][19] 

 

In 2012, Spieth earned a spot as an alternate in the U.S. Open after Brandt Snedeker withdrew from the tournament;^[18] he tied for 21st and was the low amateur.^[20] He became the number one amateur in the World Amateur Golf Ranking after his performance in the U.S. Open and Patrick Cantlay's decision to turn professional.”
 

😁

[Bigjim1022]

1 hour ago, One Putter said:

You do realize that NFL players are privy to information that we are not, right? It's kind of like insider trading. I absolutely do not think that is OK. I'm a person who doesn't gamble because i think it is a stupid activity for people who suck at math, but if i was betting on these games i would absolutely feel that they have an unfair advantage.

 

You wanna be a pro athlete, don't gamble. It's a pretty simple rule really.

Good point, I just find it hilarious that they have this partnership but then suspend players for using their partner.  
 

I don’t gamble either or do fantasy football for that matter.  Heck I don’t even buy scratch off tickets.  

[TiScape]

5 hours ago, bladehunter said:

It’s funny.  I’ve been called that several times. And the irony is. I’ve never once placed an actual bet on anything except throwing money into a pot during dogfights , betting on myself.    I have the gene. No doubt. But it doesn’t interest me at the same time.  I feel sorry for those who can’t enjoy competition  without it.  

😬