We now have made it! We’ve slogged via the chilly days and darkish nights of winter. The clocks have gone ahead and spring is right here. In golf phrases we’ve got waited 9 lengthy months however Main season is right here once more and it begins with The Masters. All the time performed in April yearly, it’s an absolute deal with for golf followers. Clear the diary, get possession of the TV distant and get the drinks and snacks in!
For the uninitiated, The Masters can look like a celebration the place we’re not fairly certain of the etiquette or the gown code. However don’t fear, right here is American Golf’s A-Z information to The Masters, so we are able to all be clued up once we sit down to observe.
A-Z Information to The Masters
A is for Augusta
Augusta is definitely a metropolis in Georgia of greater than 200,000 individuals. However Augusta to a golf fan represents just one factor, Augusta Nationwide Golf Membership, essentially the most well-known golf course and essentially the most well-known golf match in America – The Masters.
A is for Amen Nook
The time period ‘Amen Nook’ originated in a Sports activities Illustrated article in 1958 by Herbert Warren Wind. It refers back to the trio of holes 11, 12 and 13 that lie on the lowest a part of Augusta and may make, or extra normally break, a participant’s spherical. Three pars throughout these three holes – four-three-five – is at all times acceptable, whereas something higher and a participant will really feel like he’s gaining pictures over the remainder of the sphere.
B is for Boiler Swimsuit
That is the apparel for all of the caddies at Augusta. It consists of a white boiler swimsuit, a inexperienced cap and white trainers or golf footwear. Till 1983, gamers had to make use of an area caddie who by custom had normally been African-American. Since then, opponents have been allowed to make use of their common caddies. In 1990, carrying Sir Nick Faldo’s bag, Fanny Sunesson grew to become the primary feminine caddie to win a Main after they gained collectively at Augusta.
B can be for Butler Cabin
As soon as the ultimate spherical is concluded, tv heads to the Butler Cabin. In there, the Chairman of Augusta Nationwide Golf Membership is current together with the winner, the earlier yr’s Champion and the low beginner. The winner is offered together with his Inexperienced Jacket by the earlier winner and is interviewed by the host US broadcaster CBS. All a bit twee possibly, however what Augusta says goes!
C is for Crows Nest
Getting a spot within the Masters discipline is particular sufficient. However for the choose group of beginner golfers who make it, there may be one other particular deal with as they get to remain within the Crow’s Nest. Located on the high of the clubhouse, the Crow‘s Nest can sleep as much as 5 individuals. It’s mainly one giant room that has beds partitioned off it, but it surely permits the beginner opponents to stay the Augusta expertise much more absolutely.
D is for Dinner
On the Tuesday night time previous to the match beginning on the Thursday, all previous winners collect within the Augusta clubhouse for the Champions‘ Dinner. As custom, the defending Champion will get to decide on the menu and this yr, Jon Rahm has opted for a scrumptious sounding meal of Spanish hams and meats, omelette and grilled turbot. Sandy Lyle famously picked haggis, Sir Nick Faldo went for fish and chips and Yorkshire’s Danny Willett opted for roast beef!
E is for Lee Elder
He grew to become the primary African-American golfer to compete when he teed up within the 1975 Masters. Black golfers had gained PGA Tour occasions earlier than however when Elder gained the Monsanto Open in 1974, he obtained an invitation from Augusta to play of their match. His presence was ground-breaking and he was requested years later in 2021 to be one of many occasion’s ceremonial starters.
F is for Flowers
Sitting down to observe The Masters in early spring within the UK, the sight of Augusta on the tv is a picture-perfect one. Yr after yr, the greenkeepers on the course have every part in pristine situation and there’s no finer sight than the azaleas in full bloom. The dashes of pink towards the verdant inexperienced add to the impression that that is golf’s model of Disneyland.
G is for Greens
Augusta has many stand-out options, however the one that actually hits residence with beginner golfers watching it at residence centres on the greens. The placing surfaces have big slopes and are devilishly fast. Face a downhill putt and a golfer will barely contact the ball and watch it tackle a lifetime of its personal because it runs all the way down to the outlet. Difficult for the professionals, loopy golf-like for the common hacker! And a helpful tip for anybody going out to play after watching the Masters, the greens we play on don’t have anything just like the pace of the Augusta greens, so ensure we hit our putts!!
H is for Hills
It could actually typically be exhausting watching on tv to get a real image of the land at Augusta. However make no mistake, it is likely one of the hilliest golf programs the professionals play. The course drops all the best way all the way down to the par-three 12th, however the ninth and 18th are each uphill par-fours with steep climbs. It’s a week when the caddies actually earn their cash carrying their guys’ heavy baggage up and down the fairways.
I is for Internationals
Initially began in 1934, The Masters was a most American of occasions and the primary 25 stagings had been all gained by US golfers. Stepping into the sphere at the moment for non-Individuals was nigh-on not possible, not to mention successful it. That pattern was lastly bucked in 1961 by South Africa’s Gary Participant.
Because the years have passed by, Augusta Nationwide has opened its doorways to gamers from far and huge. Seve Ballesteros was the primary European to win in 1980. Sandy Lyle the primary Briton to do it in 1988. Spain, Germany, Scotland, England, Wales, Fiji, Canada, Argentina, Australia and Japan have all skilled Masters success. As Adam Scott proclaimed when he gained in 2013, ‘C’mon Aussie’, lastly ending years of damage for the boys from Down Underneath.
We must always discover that Eire, a passionate {golfing} nation shouldn’t be on the checklist. May this lastly be the yr that Rory McIlroy conquers Augusta and completes {the golfing} Grand Slam?
J is for Jacket
Since 1949, the winner of the Masters has obtained a Inexperienced Jacket. It’s a jacket worn by all members of Augusta Nationwide when on the premises. The winner will get to maintain it with him for a yr earlier than returning it to the membership the place it can keep within the locker room till the proprietor involves put on it once more on a return go to. There’s additionally a silver trophy handed to the winner, however in folklore it’s all in regards to the jacket.
Okay is for The King
On the identical time that Elvis Presley was bringing music to the plenty, Arnold Palmer was having the identical impact in golf. Between 1958 and 1964, he was nearly unbeatable at Augusta, successful it 4 occasions.
An excellent-looking man who performed swashbuckling golf and got here from a modest background, he was the right man to enhance the sport’s picture in the beginning of the tv period. Nicknamed the King, Palmer had the help of galleries all over the place as they grew to become referred to as Arnie’s Military and his success helped to popularise The Masters.
He performed within the occasion 50 occasions up till his remaining look in 2004 and was then one among The Masters’ honorary starters from 2007 till 2016, the yr that he died.
L is for Left-handers
Between 2003 and 2014, six Masters had been gained by left-handers (three for Phil Mickelson, two for Bubba Watson and one for Canada’s Mike Weir), an extremely excessive ratio contemplating how few lefties there are in golf. That’s extra wins than for left-handers on the different three Majors mixed.
Why a lot success? The idea is that Augusta Nationwide probably favours a left-handed participant greater than a right-hander. A variety of the important thing pictures on the again 9 require a participant to maneuver the ball from proper to left. That may be a draw for a right-hander however a fade for a leftie, thus giving that little bit extra spin management hitting into Augusta’s devilish greens.
M is for Alister MacKenzie
Born in Yorkshire to Scottish mother and father, Alister MacKenzie was a certified surgeon, however his legacy was as a golf course architect. He designed quite a few programs in Yorkshire like Alwoodley and Moortown earlier than spreading additional afield. Lahinch within the west of Eire, California’s Cypress Level and Royal Melbourne had been all MacKenzie designs.
By the Twenties, he had moved to America and he was requested by legendary beginner golfer Bobby Jones to design a golf course on the land which Jones had acquired. Work started in 1931 and the course was formally opened two years later. In 1934, the primary ever Augusta Nationwide Invitation Match, or The Masters as we now realize it, was staged. Sadly, MacKenzie died earlier than the primary staging and by no means acquired to see his creation in all its glory.
N is for Greg Norman
Few golfers have performed Augusta higher than Greg Norman. However no one has skilled Masters heartache fairly just like the Australian. Second 3 times, third 3 times and three extra finishes within the high six. In 1986, he wanted a birdie on the 18th to win – he hit into the gang and bogeyed to lose. In 1987, in a play-off, he watched Augusta native Larry Mize chip in from off the inexperienced on the 11th to beat him. Then in 1996, he started the ultimate day with a six-stroke lead, however shot 78 and noticed outdated rival Sir Nick Faldo overtake him on the again 9 and finally win by 5.
O is for Louis Oosthuizen
In 2012, Louis Oosthuizen grew to become simply the fourth participant to shoot a double-eagle, or albatross as we name it, at Augusta when he holed his second shot on the par-five second. It acquired the South African right into a play-off the place he was overwhelmed by Bubba Watson’s brilliance. Watson took residence the Inexperienced Jacket, Oosthuizen a crystal bowl for his albatross. When Gene Sarazen scored the primary albatross on the par-five 15th in 1935 on his technique to a Inexperienced Jacket, it was described as ‘the shot heard the world over’.
A participant scoring a hole-in-one at The Masters additionally receives an engraved crystal bowl, whereas any golfer who makes an eagle receives a pair of engraved crystal goblets.
P is for Patrons
Not spectators, or followers or galleries, however patrons. The ‘patrons’ at Augusta are completely different. There isn’t any hooping or hollering and ‘get within the gap’ shouts like at most different golf occasions. Anybody doing that might be escorted off the premises. There isn’t any working, no cell (cell) telephones allowed on the course and no caps worn again to entrance. Typically patrons put chairs down on sure holes in the beginning of the day and Augusta etiquette dictates that no one comes and sit in them. Don’t prefer it? Don’t go – however who’s going to show down a ticket to The Masters?
P is for Par Three
One of many basic Masters traditions happens on the Wednesday afternoon earlier than the principle occasion begins the next day. As nerves construct, a Par-Three contest takes place on Augusta’s personal par-three golf course. It’s light-hearted and really family-orientated with gamers typically utilizing their wives or youngsters as their caddies, all wearing Augusta’s white boiler fits.
Profitable it’s good, however beware the curse! No person has gained the par-three on the Wednesday and gone on to develop into Masters Champion on the Sunday.
Q is for Qualifying (or reasonably a scarcity of it).
There isn’t any open qualifying for The Masters, as a result of it’s an invitation-only occasion. The one method to have the ability to play is to obtain an invite. There are specific standards which might be used to determine these, however there isn’t a set variety of gamers concerned. The Masters normally has a discipline someplace between 80 and 95 gamers however no extra – over 50 lower than the opposite three Majors. That’s why making this occasion is so cherished by all of the gamers.
R is for Rae’s Creek
Named after Irishman John Rae, this small stretch of water is probably essentially the most well-known in golf. It runs alongside the again of the 11th inexperienced, in entrance of the 12th inexperienced and alongside the facet of the 13th fairway.
Tales of woe are commonplace, none extra so than Jordan Spieth in 2016. Defending champion on the time, he had the lead stood on the 12th tee however dunked two balls within the creek on the best way to a quadruple-bogey seven with Danny Willett the person to revenue from Spieth’s {golfing} catastrophe.
S is for Starters
The occasion begins every year round 8am native time with a ceremonial opening tee-shot. The honorary starters hit one tee shot every off the primary gap to proclaim The Masters beneath method. Well-known Champions of the previous usually have this honour, with legendary trio Jack Nicklaus, Gary Participant and Tom Watson anticipated to carry out the responsibility once more in 2024.
T is for Tiger
With Tiger, we hardly ever want his surname. In golf, everybody is aware of who Tiger is! Woods had already performed two Masters as an beginner earlier than his first one as knowledgeable in 1997. However what occurred over these 4 days was legendary as he romped to a report 12-shot victory. The remainder of the sphere was spooked and the membership determined that they wanted to elongate the course to make it extra Tiger-proof!
But it didn’t cease Woods from successful 4 extra Inexperienced Jackets, in 2001 to finish his Tiger Slam of successful all 4 Majors in a row, 2002, 2005 due to his epic chip shot on the par-three 16th after which in 2019. That was his 15th Main and got here after a spot of 11 years as he put years of accidents and off-course points behind him to as soon as once more don essentially the most well-known jacket in sport.
U is for College
That’s proper, there may be an Augusta College with its personal golf group and members of the group even get to play at Augusta Nationwide a few occasions a yr. In 2018, former pupil Patrick Reed would go on to say the Inexperienced Jacket, only some years after serving to the Jaguars win back-to-back NCAA Championships.
V is for Roberto de Vicenzo
In 1967, no one had fewer pictures over the 4 days than Argentine golfer Roberto de Vicenzo. However enjoying associate Tommy Aaron put him down for a par on the seventeenth reasonably than a birdie and de Vicenzo signed for an incorrect rating. He had not checked his card rigorously sufficient and as a substitute of getting a play-off with Bob Goalby, he completed in second and left the immmortal quote, ‘What a silly I’m’.
W is for Winners
Profitable The Masters is a life-changing occasion. The winner receives an invite for all times to play within the match, in addition to attend the Champions’ Dinner yearly. With The Masters so steeped in golf followers’ recollections, tales of victory by no means develop outdated, like Sandy Lyle’s shot from the bunker on the 18th in 1988 or Sir Nick Faldo’s arms raised in triumph in 1989 when he beat Scott Hoch in a play-off.
X is for X-rated
Step ahead Tommy Nakajima of Japan. He grew to become the primary participant in Masters historical past to put up a 13 on a single gap when disaster befell him in 1978. Two years later, that rating was matched by Tom Weiskopf on the par-three twelfth, hitting an unbelievable FIVE balls into Rae’s Creek.
In 2018, Sergio Garcia was the defending Masters Champion. At two-over enjoying the 15th, the Spaniard’s opening spherical was not going to plan. Minutes later, it had turned to ignominy as he struck 5 strategy pictures into the water guarding the inexperienced of this par-five. Strategy shot quantity six made the placing floor and the putt was duly holed. The injury – an octuple bogey 13. From Masters hero to zero in a single single gap.
Y is for ‘Sure Sir’
Probably the most well-known piece of commentary in Masters historical past. In 1986, Jack Nicklaus was seen as previous his finest and he had not gained a Main for six years. After eight holes of the ultimate spherical, he was six behind Seve Ballesteros, the pre-eminent participant of that point. From there, Nicklaus went on a cost, making 5 birdies and an eagle as he reached the 17 tee. He discovered the inexperienced in two, and rolled in one other birdie. With Nicklaus’ arm outstretched in anticipation because the ball headed in the direction of the outlet, it was greeted with a shout of ‘Sure sir’ by commentator Verne Lundquist. Nicklaus’s goal of nine-under proved too exhausting for Seve, Greg Norman and the others to match. It was a report sixth Masters win on the age of 46, and the final of Jack’s 18 Majors – all data which stay to today.
Z is for Fuzzy Zoeller
The American who gained The Masters on his debut within the occasion in 1979. He was the third participant to take action however the first for the reason that first two editions of the match in 1934 and 1935. No person within the 45 subsequent years has matched Zoeller’s effort of successful at their first attempt round Augusta. The logic is that Augusta is a course the place expertise is important and golfers need to fail round it earlier than they know easy methods to win there.
