Author: Golf Post

While golf continues on its steady drive to boost its global fan base, a new wave of sponsors is entering the clubhouse. Online casino operators are stepping up, and they are bringing funds, controversy and casino credibility to pro golf.

You may not imagine that an unmoving fairway and a high-stakes online roulette table would have much in common. But lately, the online gambling and golf worlds have started to overlap in interesting and extremely profitable ways. From sponsorships of major tournaments to flashy logos on golfers’ polo shirts, online casino firms are leaving their imprint on golf like never before.

It’s an unusual coupling on the surface, but once you delve underneath the dynamics; audience demographics, marketing aims and the shifting stance toward gambling in sport, it all makes sense. So, why are online casino brands lining up to sponsor professional golfers and tournaments now? And what does it mean for the sport moving forward?

The money trail: Why golf is a magnet for casino brands

To understand the allure, start with numbers. Golf has a loyal, affluent and increasingly global audience. It draws eyeballs from North America, Europe, Asia and beyond. And unlike other sports, golf television coverage goes on for hours, think wall-to-wall weekend coverage, especially for majors. That’s a goldmine of brand exposure.

Online casino operators, especially those keen on breaking into regulated markets like the U.S. and Canada, see golf as a low-risk, high-class way of getting in front of potential customers. Golf doesn’t have the same reputation baggage as, say, combat sports or esports. Golf is squeaky clean, polished and attracts an audience that already knows its way around a betting slip.

We’re seeing operators like bet365 and Betway become increasingly visible in golf sponsorships. Bet365 partnered with the PGA Tour as an Official Betting Operator between 2022 and 2024 in markets such as the UK, Ireland, Australia, and Canada, while Betway sponsors the Big Easy Tour in South Africa.

Sites are closing the gap

For the fans who are both golf aficionados and recreational bettors, websites like Bonuses.com are also playing a key role. These sites pair users up with exclusive promotions at a wide range of online casinos and sportsbooks, making it easy to review new offers and bonuses without needing to sift through many individual sites.

What’s notable is the way these sites are cleverly linking with sports content. A few even offer golf betting guides, odds trackers or promo codes linked to significant events such as The Masters or the Ryder Cup. The distinction between fan and player is becoming thinner, and a few fans are okay with that.

From fairways to felt: Sponsorships on the rise

It’s not even tournament signage alone. Increasingly, the companies are sponsoring players. And the amounts of money they’re paying are not chump change.

Take a look at the shirts and bags next time you’re watching a tournament, those logos might belong to casino and sportsbook operators rather than the usual golf brands. 

In some cases, casino brands are using the sponsorships as part of a broader sports marketing push. It’s not just golf, they’re going after soccer, MMA, tennis and even Formula 1. But there’s something about golf that fits their image. Maybe it’s the sophistication, maybe it’s the slow-burn drama. Whatever the case, casino brands want in.

Regulation, reputation and red flags

Of course, it’s not all smooth sailing. Golf’s relationship with gambling is still evolving, and for some, the fact that online casinos are involved with the sport raises eyebrows.

The PGA Tour only officially embraced gambling in recent years, as state-level legalization in the U.S. opened the floodgates. But the Tour is also mindful of its image. You’re unlikely to see a sportsbook title sponsor a PGA event just yet, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t involved behind the scenes.

There is a balance to be found here. On one hand, casino gambling and sports wagering are more mainstream now, especially among younger fans. On the other, concern over gambling addiction, integrity issues and the tone it sets for a sport that’s long been proud of honor and sportsmanship still lingers.

With that said, most operators are incorporating responsible gambling messaging and are working under strict advertising guidelines. 

What this means for golf

So, where is all of this headed? Larger deals are coming. As regulations fall into place in the United States and markets open up overseas, online casinos will only continue to invest in sports marketing, and golf is a sure bet. Expect additional player sponsorships, additional subtle integrations during broadcasts and possibly even the first casino-sponsored event within three years.

Nevertheless, balance will be the key. Golf is not looking to sell its soul for a quick buck. The best scenario? Tasteful, respectful sponsorships underwriting the game’s growth without turning each tee box into a casino billboard.

A bet that might just pay off

Golf has always been a game of precision, patience and risk management, which, ironically enough, makes golf the perfect metaphor for this new trend of sponsorships. The online casino world thinks it has discovered an enormous opportunity in golf, and so far, they’re approaching it wisely, targeting the right constituencies and spending in the right places.

To fans, that might just mean more purse money, better broadcasts and some fun promotions on the side. As long as the game doesn’t lose its integrity, this might be the rare instance where the house doesn’t always win, but a smile is given to everyone.

The 2025 golf major season unfurled as a testament to every kind of greatness. Rory McIlroy, dogged by over a decade of heartbreak, finally slipped into the Green Jacket at Augusta, exorcising demons 14 years in the making. At Pinehurst, J.J. Spaun put on a US Open clinic, transforming quiet confidence into a star-making, razor-sharp victory. Scottie Scheffler, meanwhile, rubber-stamped his status as the finest golfer on the planet as he swept both the PGA and Open Championships to re-establish his place at golf’s summit.

Even though the major season has now drawn to a close, there is still plenty to look forward to throughout the rest of the year. The headliner is without question the Ryder Cup, a tournament that online golf betting sites are already salivating at the prospect of.
The Europe vs USA showdown has already been priced up by online golf betting sites, and they make the Americans a 4/5 favorite to retain their crown, with the Europeans out at 6/4.

And yet, for all the spectacle of surging youth in recent times, the modern era of men’s golf has delivered plenty of moments where wily veterans roll back the years and upset the odds. Let’s take a look at the oldest players to claim a major title since the turn of the millennium, and the performance they put on to steal the show one last time.

Phil Mickelson – 50 years, 11 months

When Phil Mickelson teed it up on the wind-lashed Ocean Course to contest the 2021 PGA Championship, the numbers offered little hope: zero majors in eight years, a world ranking outside the top 100, and, at 50 years, 11 months, an age that in golf often marks admiring retirements, not new chapters. But nobody scripted what happened next.

Mickelson attacked Kiawah’s brutal stretches with absolute conviction. He averaged 305.3 yards off the tee, outdriving younger stars like Brooks Koepka and Louis Oosthuizen. His scrambling—saving par on 73% of missed greens—was among the best in the field. Under relentless pressure on Sunday, Mickelson nearly lost the lead on the front nine, only to respond with two brilliant birdies at 10 and 16, the latter capped by the unforgettable image of swarming fans cresting the fairway.

The final tally: Mickelson closed with a 73 for a two-shot victory, claiming a sixth major and smashing Julius Boros’s all-time age record by more than two years. This was no nostalgia trip, but a masterclass from an all-time great.

Tiger Woods – 43 years, 3 months

One Sunday in April 2019, Augusta didn’t just tremble—it thundered, as Tiger Woods delivered what might be the ultimate resurrection in sports. After a decade of public pain—four back surgeries, personal struggles, and 11 years since his last major—Woods, at 43 years, 3 months, didn’t just compete; he conquered at the Masters.

The post-tournament breakdown revealed Woods’ tactical edge: a driving accuracy of 71.4%, and, perhaps more crucially, a calm that infected his play as younger leaders faltered. On Sunday’s back nine, the famed “Tiger Roar” arrived as he birdied 13, 15, and 16, methodically dismantling Francesco Molinari and company. He needed only a bogey to capture his 15th major, clutching his son in an emotional coda that echoed his famous 1997 win.

Darren Clarke – 42 years, 11 months

Darren Clarke’s emotional Open Championship win didn’t just break his major duck—it ignited a wave of joy through golf’s tightest-knit fraternity. Approaching 43, Clarke entered as a 200-1 outsider, a nearly man with over 50 major starts and more rain delays than playoff successes.

But Clarke’s arsenal—laser-precise ball striking, unmatched links savvy, and veteran patience—gave him a rare advantage over the field. He hit 71% of fairways and 70% of greens in regulation, minimizing damage when swirling English winds punished the careless. While rivals wilted, Clarke posted just three bogeys in his last 27 holes. He grasped victory by three strokes, his closing stretch a study in measured aggression and steely resolve.

No win resonated more with the golf public that decade: Clarke, cigar in hand, hoisting the Claret Jug, was the embodiment of perseverance finally paid off—a celebration for every late bloomer who dares to persist.

Ernie Els – 42 years, 7 months

Ernie Els’ second Claret Jug is the stuff of sporting fable, its dramatic arc made all the sharper by the numbers. At 42 years, 7 months, and after a winless major stretch spanning an entire presidency, Els roared back.

Trailing for much of Sunday, The Big Easy delivered under maximum pressure. His back nine consisted of four birdies, culminating in a 15-foot stunner at the 18th, just as Adam Scott collapsed with four closing bogeys. Els’ 68 to Scott’s 75 was a turnaround for the ages. What made it even more remarkable? Els had ranked outside the top 65 in strokes gained putting that season. His putter caught fire when he needed it most—a testament to the long view, the ability to draw on decades of facing down adversity.

With four majors now to his name, Els didn’t just restore his place in golf’s elite; he proved that resilience, as much as talent, is a champion’s greatest club.

Stepping onto brand-new turf is a quiet thrill. Fresh paint on the tee markers, unblemished greens, and grand openings that still smell of pine all promise stories you will brag about later. Across the country, a lively wave of new golf resorts is turning that first-tee buzz into a full travel trend.

Every trend needs headliners. Early reviews are already debating which properties deserve the title of best new golf resorts and why their architects seem to have skipped sleep in pursuit of perfection.

Why 2025 Is Shaping Up as the Year of Fresh Fairways

Industry insiders point to an unprecedented cluster of golf course openings in the next eighteen months. Several will debut with festivals that mix live music and junior clinics, making the grand opening ticket feel like an amusement park pass for golfers.

Magazines are teasing preliminary rankings, and chatter suggests at least three layouts could top the lists of best new golf courses 2025. This is thanks to daring green contours and bunker shapes that look sculpted more by artists than bulldozers.

For those of us who travel with clubs, the calendar for golf travel 2025 looks like a buffet. Want ocean spray on every iron shot? A Carolina retreat has you. Prefer mountain air that grants a bonus ten yards of carry? Colorado is ready to kneel at your swing altar.

One thing is certain. Several properties are already positioning themselves among the top golf resorts in the United States, flaunting cliff-side par threes and spa menus loaded with sports therapy treatments.

Scorecard of Rising Resorts

All these pins on the map can blur together, so here is a quick reference for golfers plotting that next buddies trip or anniversary escape. Each destination below plans to welcome guests within the coming year.

Critics predict that at least two of these layouts will stake early claims to the honor of best new golf courses once players and panelists finish their first lap.

Resort	Location	Why It’s Worth the Detour
Cabot Citrus Farms	Brooksville, Florida	Two championship tracks weave through fragrant former orange groves, giving every swing a citrus backdrop.
Omni PGA Frisco Fields Ranch	Frisco, Texas	The home base of the PGA of America features twin 18-hole layouts, a lighted short course for night matches, and a massive putting green.
RainDance National Resort	Windsor, Colorado	High-plains elevation adds free yardage to your drives, while wide fairways and canyon edges keep shot-making fresh.
Black Desert Resort	Ivins, Utah	Jet-black lava rock and red-cliff vistas frame emerald fairways, pairing dramatic scenery with spa-level comfort.
Pinehurst No. 10	Pinehurst, North Carolina	The newest Sandhills route glides through wiregrass and mining-era dunes, delivering a bold modern twist to a storied town.
The Lido at Sand Valley	Nekoosa, Wisconsin	Meticulous re-creation of a lost golden-age masterpiece lets golfers test template holes like Redan and Biarritz.
Sedge Valley at Sand Valley	Nekoosa, Wisconsin	Heathland-style design favors creative ground play across firm, fast turf bordered by rugged native vegetation.

Plan Your Perfect Tee-Time Adventure

Smart planning turns a new layout into a lifelong memory. Start by matching the course personality with your own. For many travelers hunting new golf resorts, the decision begins with knowing whether you flourish on firm links or lush parkland corridors.

Jet lag plus back-to-back rounds can siphon energy, so block one afternoon for the spa or pool. Resorts celebrating recent golf course openings often bundle unlimited replay rounds into their packages, perfect for golfers chasing redemption without a second greens fee.

An unexpected treat in between golf games is the themed casino corner. Online entertainment lovers can enjoy a variety of slots, from popular American titles like Extra Chilli free play. Demo versions of slots are a real godsend: you can play risk-free, test out the mechanics, bonuses and graphics before committing to something more serious. Perfect for getting to know the game.

Early spring and late autumn usually deliver quieter tee sheets and friendlier rates. Time your trip right, and you might sample a future classic before it tops the lists of best new golf courses in 2025, when the flags are still crisp from the packaging.

Five-Star Comfort on the Green

After a successful day of birdie hunting, few things matter more than a resort that truly understands recovery. If you keep a checklist of the best new golf resorts, you know that steam rooms, orthopedic mattresses, and fresh shoe spikes can be as satisfying as a well-struck wedge.

The newest entrants in the luxury golf resorts USA category spare no expense on hammam-style steam rooms, plush bedding, and attendants who tighten spikes while you eat.

That devotion to detail is why many of these properties already rank among the top golf resorts in the United States, even before their second season begins.

Fresh Fairways You Will Want on Your Bucket List

If your clubs are begging for a new adventure, you are in luck. A handful of American venues are rolling out flawless turf and scenery so captivating that you may pause mid-swing just to stare. Booking now locks in your golf travel 2025 calendar before tee sheets fill.

These openings mix classic design principles with modern comforts so you can chase birdies by day and gourmet desserts by night. Many new golf resorts in the USA even add lighted short courses for evening matches.

• Cabot Citrus Farms in Florida lets you roam through sweet-scented groves on two full courses, plus a quirky par three loop. It’s no surprise the routing already appears on shortlists of best new golf courses for players who love bold bunkering and fast greens.

• Omni PGA Frisco Fields Ranch in Texas feels like a playground for every skill level, featuring twin championship tracks, a lighted ten-hole short course, and a putting green that looks like spilled emerald paint across the prairie.

• RainDance National Resort in Colorado delivers altitude-boosted drives across wide fairways that feel forgiving until a crafty canyon edge demands focus.

Final Thoughts

The newest class of American golf destinations is imaginative and inviting. Architects blend environmental sensitivity with strategic flair, hoteliers layer comfort into every fairway view, and playful diversions keep the energy high long after the last putt drops. 

With new golf resorts always opening in America, you and your buddies will find a course, hotel, and luxury facilities to meet your budget and location.