“The spectator experience is unbelievable,” said Tom Irwin about the layout of Augusta National on the NCG Golf Podcast.
A constant criticism of watching golf in person is that you miss most of the action. Open venues have copped their fair share of flack over this due to their lack of vantage points and huge crowds, that so often hinder the viewing experience.
But, there are no such complaints at Augusta.
Regarded as one of the most special exclusive venues in sport, it is of course home to the Masters championship every year.
Speaking on the NCG Golf Podcast Irwin spoke about his experience on day one of the Masters and how it is no accident that Augusta is such a good viewing venue.
Acast Embed Player (cef500ab199baab1ec034567aa73957e2edebc56)“If you read Bobby Jones’ original course notes it kind of explains that the original golf course is designed to enhance the viewing experience of the patrons,” he pointed out. “And it really does.
“You could pick out several spots around the golf course from one particular vantage point you can see a phenomenal amount of golf.
“The one that stands out to me is behind the third tee, where you can watch approaches into seven and two, and the tee shot from three as well as bits and pieces of other holes that are in the vicinity.”
It’s a viewing experience that feels immersive, with the course flowing from one hole to the next. Rather than chasing groups across different sides of the property or being hemmed in by infrastructure, Irwin noted how you are constantly surrounded by action.
“On the way around (the course) you are bumping into golf constantly,” he added. “You don’t feel like you have missed anyone really.
“I feel like we have ticked almost everybody (the players) off, because as you make your way across the property, you’re not behind grandstands and you’re not behind hordes of spectators.
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“I would compare it to my experience at Royal Portrush last year (the venue for The Open Championship), which was obviously teeming with people.
“Portrush is not a bad spectator course. There are lots of high points. There are lots of dunes. But I felt like I did a lot of walking without seeing any golf.
“Whereas here I feel you are walking round a park and golf is going on around you and you can’t fail to see it.
“We were watching the Olazabal group and then glanced across to the adjacent fairway and saw two balls being played into the seventh green and one of them was McIlroy’s.”
NOW LISTEN TO THE PODCAST
Acast Embed Player (cef500ab199baab1ec034567aa73957e2edebc56)- NOW READ: 10 things we learned when walking around Augusta National – while avoiding the cliché minefield
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NOW HAVE YOUR SAY
Have you been to Augusta National? If so, what was it like? If you went for the Masters what was the viewing experience like as a patron? Let us know by leaving a comment or getting in touch with us on X!
