The Masters does things differently. They do things the Masters way. It dates back to Augusta National Golf Club’s co-founder, Clifford Roberts, who ruled with an iron fist. There’s a reason things there run like clockwork, but it can also rub some the wrong way. Just ask Lee Trevino.
For the latest question in the Golfweek Masters Survey for 2024, we asked pros past and present, in terms of how the tournament is operated, to name examples of when they’re at Augusta and have a feeling of “this is different than the PGA Tour.”
The responses ranged from “you stumped me” to “everything,” but we have to echo Matt Kuchar who praised the Masters app as in a class by itself, and agree with Rickie Fowler that fans tend to be more respectful there (perhaps due to the fear of having their badge removed) and great observation by Will Zalatoris that all the divots at the par 3s miraculously have been filled once the tournament gets underway. How do they do it? Here are some of the best responses.
Billy Horschel hands a club to caddie Mark Fulcher on the second green during the first round of the 2023 Masters. (Photo: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Network)
The things they do better than the PGA Tour is they have a 20-year plan, a 50-year plan and always looking at things proactively and not reacting to things. They could’ve built a gym for training right away but they do their due diligence and it’s a two, three year process and once they build it they don’t have to fix anything because they did it on the front end.
Brian Harman looks on during the first round of the 2024 Valero Texas Open at TPC San Antonio. (Photo: Raj Mehta/Getty Images)
You stumped me. You’d be nitpicking.
Greenskeepers remove standing water on the 18th green during second round of the 2023 Masters. (Photo: Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Everything. Not that the officials and volunteers aren’t awesome at PGA Tour events, but everyone is on their toes at the Masters.
The practice area at Augusta National Golf Club for the 2023 Masters. (Photo: Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
The quality of the golf course and the way the tournament continues to expand and make its offering better for the player as well as the spectator.
Jason Day and caddie Luke Reardon walk the 15th fairway during the second round of the 2023 Masters. (Photo: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Network)
The communication is off the charts. One time my bag broke and my caddie carried it like a brief case for half a hole and before we holed out they already had a new strap for me.
Keegan Bradley tees off on the first hole during the first round of the 2023 Masters. (Photo: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Network)
Everyone off the first tee is different because you can tee off really late.
The leaderboard during the final round of the 2020 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Everything is 10 out of 10 at the Masters. They’ve thought of everything. The only thing the players complain about is it’s an expensive week, especially if you miss the cut. Those houses overcharge to make their yearly mortgage payment.
Matt Kuchar holds up his ball after a birdie putt on the seventh green during the third round of the 2016 Masters.
The Masters app is vastly superior. I think they have a better scorecard than we use. But I appreciate the familiarity I have with the people that run our Tour. Every once in a while I see something and say we should copy that.
An autographed flag at the Par 3 Contest ahead of the 2016 Masters. (Photo: Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
They are more player-oriented now than ever. Having only one autograph area makes our life a little easier.
Rickie Fowler, Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas sign autographs during the Par 3 Contest prior to the 2018 Masters. (Photo: Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Fans are more respectful at the Masters. I feel like I can just walk up to the ropes and watch JT tee off and not worry about people wanting things from you. It’s a lot more relaxed. Everyone has an understanding of what the rules are.
Stewart Cink and caddie Reagan Cink at the second hole during the second round of the 2022 Masters. (Photo: Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
I have to be delicate in how I say this but the Masters is not quite as forthcoming in smothering you with services as the other PGA Tour tournaments. The Tour events compete against each other for player participation and therefore good fields so they bend over backwards to say ‘Sure, we can make that happen’ whereas at Augusta there’s a lot more of ‘That’s not something we do.’
Will Zalatoris and his wife Caitlin high-five during the Par 3 Contest ahead of the 2023 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Network)
If you look on Wednesday after practice rounds for par 3s there’s a row of divots on the back edge of each tee. On the first day of the Masters all those divots are gone.