Augusta
*Originally posted in April of 2023
For as long as I can remember, I have despised playing golf. One spring break in college I tried getting into the sport a final time. My roommate was a varsity golfer in high school, or so he claimed, and competed against pros such as Rickie Fowler. I figured this was my chance, if my roommate couldn’t teach me how to golf, who could?
By the end of the week I had picked up a few things, but perhaps most importantly I came away learning one lesson: I really didn’t enjoy golfing. Largely due to the time commitment, and the fact that if you’re not in a state where you can play year-round, it’s even more difficult to practice consistently. However, there were still parts of the game I enjoyed and remained interested in even following my failed week of playing—let me explain.
For as frustrating as attempting to hit a golf ball is, it’s very satisfying watching someone do it well. It’s as if you’re witnessing years, likely decades, of countless practice swings grouped into one smooth stroke. Pure. It’s all I can think about when I see a real pro approach the ball. Do I like golf after all? I suppose when I’m simply a spectator of golf done right I begin to have a soft spot for the game played (just please don’t drag me out to play 18, or 9, or even mini-putt).
With this background in mind you may be wondering if I’m taking in this year’s Masters Tournament? Sure, I enjoy a smooth swing—but is that enough to keep me riveted to my television for four days straight? Absolutely not! But there are some other elements of The Masters that I look forward to checking out. Even if I don’t watch every round.
So, what are some of the things that even non-golfers like myself can enjoy when The Masters are on? Here are the things I’ll be paying close attention to:
The sponsors. Sponsors may seem like an odd thing to enjoy. I usually can’t stand sponsors in any sport (especially when it comes to stadium names), but when it comes to individual sports like golf and tennis, I see the value. This is because, to me at least, the sponsorships in individual sports feel more authentic. I love seeing players partnering with brands where they may actually wear or use their product off the course.
Watches and clocks. This is similar to sponsorships since I feel like you see Rolex and Omega represented not just by the golfers themselves, but some of the courses. I mean who doesn’t love seeing a good standing clock, no matter the brand, sprinkled somewhere on the grounds of a nice golf club. To be honest, I’m not even sure what Augusta’s standing clock situation is—all the more reason to keep an eye out this weekend!
Green sport coats. At this point it’s well known that the winner of The Masters Tournament is gifted a green sport coat (along with an honorary membership to Augusta). I’ll just go on record here and say that, in my opinion, this is much better than the typical sports trophy. Although, as far as actual trophies go, the silver one the winner of The Masters gets to lift is pretty cool, with its model of the Augusta National Clubhouse. But it’s still no match for the green jacket!
So, what does all this mean for the non-golfer on Masters weekend? It means that on this annual occasion even us non-golfers can find ways to be a part of the rich traditions of the game. And, better yet, we don’t have to play 18, or 9, or even mini-putt to get to enjoy them. All we have to do is fix up our favorite beverage, sit back, and watch the drama unfold until Sunday afternoon when we witness the pinnacle of the whole thing: The presentation of the green jacket.
