What is a 3-Ball Bet in Golf? Three-Ball Betting Explained | BookieBrawler

A 3-ball bet is in golf, how threesome betting works, strategies for picking winners, tie rules, and where to bet 3-ball markets on the PGA Tour.

What Is a 3-Ball Bet in Golf?

A <strong>3-ball bet</strong> is a golf wagering format where you bet on which of three golfers in a specific grouping (or pairing) will shoot the lowest score in a given round. Most PGA Tour threesomes play together during rounds 1 and 2, making these bets available for the first two days of any tournament.

The name "3-ball" comes from the three golf balls in play within the group. Each golfer in the threesome is assigned odds, and you simply pick who will have the best round.

How 3-Ball Betting Works

Here's an example of a 3-ball market:

If you bet on Morikawa at +200 and he shoots the lowest round among the three (e.g., Morikawa shoots 67, Scheffler shoots 69, Young shoots 71), you win. A $100 bet would pay $200 in profit.

What Happens in a Tie?

If two or three players in the group tie for the lowest score, the payout is reduced proportionally. Some sportsbooks offer "tie" as a separate betting option, which can pay out at longer odds (typically +400 to +600). Dead heat rules apply - if you pick a player who ties for the best score, your bet is settled at reduced odds (half stake for a 2-way tie, one-third for a 3-way tie).

3-Ball vs. 2-Ball Bets

While 3-ball bets involve threesomes (common in rounds 1-2), <strong>2-ball bets</strong> involve pairings of two players (common in rounds 3-4 when the field is cut). Both formats work the same way - you pick who shoots the lower score. Two-ball matchups also frequently include a "tie" option.