The basics: What is a 3-ball bet in golf?
A 3-ball bet is a wager on which of three grouped golfers will shoot the lowest score in a single round.
- It doesn’t matter what happens in the overall tournament.
- It only matters how those three specific players perform against each other during the selected round.
- The winner is the golfer with the lowest score after 18 holes of that round.
This makes 3-ball bets short-term markets — you don’t need to wait for a four-day tournament result, just the outcome of one round.
Example of a 3-ball bet
Imagine a tournament where the first-round tee group includes:
- Rory McIlroy
- Jon Rahm
- Jordan Spieth
A bookmaker might offer odds like:
- McIlroy +160
- Rahm +180
- Spieth +200
If you back Rahm and he posts the lowest score of the three in that round, your bet wins.
👉 Key detail: Ties are usually settled according to dead heat rules. If two golfers tie for lowest score, payouts are split. Always check your sportsbook’s rules.
Why 3-ball betting is popular
- Quick results — bets are settled after just one round.
- Simple head-to-head feel — like mini-matches inside a bigger tournament.
- Good value spots — sharp bettors often find mispriced odds when books overrate a “big name” golfer.
- Ideal for analytics — models based on round-by-round stats (strokes gained, putting, accuracy) can outperform public perception.
Strategies for 3-ball betting
- Look beyond names: Public money often floods onto stars, leaving value on underrated players.
- Check course fit: Some players excel on specific layouts (tight fairways, windy links, long par 5s).
- Analyze recent form: A hot putter or consistent driving accuracy can swing a single round.
- Use no-vig odds: Strip the bookmaker’s margin to see true probabilities. This helps you judge if a line is really offering value.
- Shop across books: Since margins are higher on niche markets, comparing lines can uncover arbitrage or +EV spots.
Final thoughts
A 3-ball bet in golf is a straightforward but exciting way to wager: pick the lowest scorer among three golfers in a round. It’s fast, fun, and potentially profitable if you know where to find value.
By combining knowledge of players, course fit, and no-vig analysis with tools like BetRocket’s EV+ and surebet detection, you can turn 3-ball betting from a casual market into a sharp edge.