What is a dual forecast bet in golf?

Dual Forecast Golf Bets in Simple Terms

A dual forecast bet requires you to hand-pick two golfers to finish first and second. They can usually finish in any order, but both must finish inside the top two on the leaderboard. This doesn’t mean they have to be in the top two at the end of the event, either. We’ll explain why shortly when we review the types of dual forecast bets open to you. 

Dual forecast bets are most popular in horse racing and greyhound markets, especially those with the largest fields. Golf is well-suited to dual forecasts, too, given that golf tournaments typically feature at least 120-156 players in the first two rounds. 

Is Dual Forecasting in Golf Betting Legal?

There is some confusion online over the legality of dual forecast betting in golf. However, there’s zero need to be concerned as to whether this bet type is allowed by licensed sportsbooks. If a licensed bookmaker offers the market, you can be sure the dual forecast odds are legitimate. 

When we say licensed in Great Britain, we mean licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). Those licensed by the UKGC, like Parimatch, are duty-bound to offer fair and transparent sports betting services. 

Take some time to familiarise yourself with the local laws on golf betting and variant bet types like dual forecasts. We’ll save you some time by saying that dual forecast bets are 100% legal in the UK, so you can bet on golf tournaments using these markets whenever you’re on these shores. 

Examples of Dual Forecast Golf Bets in Action

If you’re someone who prefers to see examples of bet types in action to learn how they work, we’ve put together three scenarios where you might use a dual forecast bet: 

First-round dual forecast bets

It’s hours away from the first round of The Open Championship. You have a feel for two in-form golfers whose games and attributes are tailor-made for links courses. Better still, they’re both renowned for being fast starters in tournaments. 

You decide to back Golfer A and Golfer B in a first-round dual forecast bet. This means they both need to be in the top two of the leaderboard at the end of the first round. It’s arguably the riskiest of all the dual forecast golf bets as you’re pinning your hopes on them performing well from the outset.  

However, with some careful research on players and their past performances at Open courses, you can make considered judgements and try to find value in this market. It’s not a bet type you should use on golfers who struggle out of the gate and usually build into tournaments. 

Tournament dual forecast bets

If you’d rather not back your two golfers to lead the way after the first round of a golf tournament but you’re confident they’ll be there after the fourth round, it’s a good idea to take a tournament dual forecast wager. 

In a tournament dual forecast bet, Golfers A and B must finish in the top two at the end of the event, in any order. That’s the one benefit of a dual forecast bet – you don’t need to pick the winner. 

Although finding a tournament winner in a big golf tournament can feel like picking a needle in a haystack, dedicate some time to researching players with good records at the course in question. Look at their most recent results, too. This can highlight whether a player is in form or not.  

Top points scorers dual forecast bets

If you’re betting on team competitions like the Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup, taking dual forecast bets on the top points scorers is possible. 

Using the Ryder Cup as an example, if you believe Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm will rack up the most individual points towards Team Europe’s total, back them together in a dual forecast. It doesn’t matter which one scores the most points. You only need both to score more than any of their European teammates. 

You can take a similar approach when betting on the Solheim Cup. Just make sure you have a good feel for the in-form players in either Team Europe or Team USA. 

The Most Popular Dual Forecast Golf Bet Strategies

A dual forecast bet may be the most suitable approach if there are specific weather or course conditions. For example, if the weather is wet and windy, you might prefer to look at players famed for their accuracy rather than their distance off the tee. Blustery conditions can move the ball a long way so that skilful iron players may prove better selections for dual forecasts. 

Another reason to place dual forecasts is if the odds for an individual golfer are too low, in your opinion. To increase the value of your bet, you could pair said golfer with another in-form player in a dual forecast. The odds for dual forecasts are usually much more generous than outright winner markets, mainly if you include a pre-tournament favourite in your selections. 

How to Calculate Potential Winnings

There are dual forecast calculators available online to help you calculate the potential payout of a successful duel forecast.  

Remember, as with reverse forecast bets on horse racing and greyhound races, your total stake on a dual forecast is double a usual straight forecast because you’ll place a stake apiece on each golfer you back. If you’re backing a golfer with £10, your total stake will be £20. This ensures your two selections can finish either first or second, and you’re guaranteed a payout. 

The Pros and Cons of a Dual Forecast Bet in Golf Markets

Pros of dual forecast bets 

• If an upcoming golf tournament sees two in-form players likely to run away with the competition, you could hedge your bets by backing them both in a dual forecast. It essentially doubles your chances of winning. 
• Odds on winning dual forecasts are usually much greater than if you’d backed the winner in the outright winner market. 
• When you’re betting on team competitions, dual forecasts are a good shout if you know players who thrive on these events. Sergio Garcia is one player famed for being red-hot during the Ryder Cup, with the Spaniard still ranked as the highest-scoring European in the event’s history. Garcia has registered 25.5 points in nine Ryder Cups, breaking the record at the 2018 Ryder Cup. 

Cons of dual forecast bets 

• Even if you’re confident in the performance of the two golfers you pick, a lot can go wrong with this type of bet over four rounds of golf. 

• If there’s a dead heat, you’ll only receive a percentage of your potential winnings, even if your selection finishes joint-second. 
• If you like bets which yield high win rates, dual forecasts are unlikely to suit your betting style. 

What Happens to Dual Forecast Bets in a Dead Heat?

In some scenarios, it’s possible for one of your selections to win a golf tournament and the other selection to finish tied for second in a dead heat. 

Let’s say you backed Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm to win the next Open Championship in a dual forecast. McIlroy goes on to win the event, but Rahm tied for second with Dustin Johnson. 

You would receive only 50% of your expected winnings in this example. It has been known for multiple players to share second place. If four players tie for second – including one of your selections – your payout will only be 25% of what you were anticipating. 

As with all types of sports betting, it’s best to look at the betting rules of your chosen bookmaker. This way, you’ll know what to expect if a head heat happens. 

Alternative Golf Forecast Bets Revealed

What other golf forecast bets will you find with leading UK bookmakers? Below, we delve deeper into one of the most popular golf forecasts, which may offer even bigger returns, albeit with even greater risks. 

Straight forecast golf bets

A straight forecast bet is the same as a dual forecast bet in that you pick two golfers to finish in the top two. The biggest difference is you must specify the correct order for them. Golfer A must finish first, and Golfer B must finish second. Your bet will lose if Golfer B wins and Golfer A finishes runner-up. 

Straight forecasts are some of the hardest bets to win in golf. You must pick two golfers to finish in specific places on the leaderboard. When most tournaments have 120+ players from the outset, that’s no mean feat.  

How to Place a Dual Forecast Golf Bet with Parimatch

Are you ready to begin your golf betting journey with Parimatch? Creating an account with us on your desktop or mobile is quick and easy. Simply enter your personal details and upload some documents to enable us to verify your identity, and away you go.  

Once your account is verified, you’ll have a choice of deposit methods at your fingertips to bet on any pre-event or in-play golf market with Parimatch. Ensure you’re logged in to add those dual forecast bets to your betslip. 

At Parimatch, we offer exceptional coverage of the biggest golf tournaments worldwide. Whether it’s the golf majors – the US Masters, the USPGA Championship, the US Open betting markets and The Open Championship betting odds – the Ryder Cup odds or the Solheim Cup, we’ve got every hole covered. 

Before you bet a penny on golf with us, we also recommend you take a good look at our Safer Gambling Portal. This section covers our full suite of responsible gambling tools and limits available to help you cap daily, weekly and monthly losses or deposits. It’s easy to self-exclude yourself, too, if you ever need some time out.