Uncommon Opinions

[ImTellinTim]

Re: Uncommon Opinions

Just to answer your question, it's the hardest golf course on the planet and "separates the boys from the men." Really makes every shot matter tremendously, so when you're down to the wire it makes for entertaining drama. That's hard to get on a golf course.

Also it was one that Tiger used to own, and you know how much we all love our Tiger.

I like the US Open more though. Probably just because it's right around summertime, and contrarily you see really low scores in that one. Less of a frustrating time out watching Thursday through Saturday.

No, the USGA traditionally tries to set up the course for the US Open so that even par will win. Now sometimes the weather doesn't cooperate and softens things up and players can go really low, but not as often.

Last few winning scores -16 (tied record low), -4, -5, -9, +1, +1, -16 (record set), E, -4, -1, +5, E, etc. etc.

Most certainly not really low scores compared to other majors and tournaments.

Augusta is also not the hardest course on the planet. Just off the top of my head, Bethpage Black is considered a harder test. And there are more.

[kehlis]

Re: Uncommon Opinions

If it weren’t for the greens I’d argue that Augusta is one of the easier courses on tour. I imagine the winning score this weekend to be double digits.

[DJ]

Re: Uncommon Opinions

Just to answer your question, it's the hardest golf course on the planet and "separates the boys from the men." Really makes every shot matter tremendously, so when you're down to the wire it makes for entertaining drama. That's hard to get on a golf course.

Also it was one that Tiger used to own, and you know how much we all love our Tiger.

I like the US Open more though. Probably just because it's right around summertime, and contrarily you see really low scores in that one. Less of a frustrating time out watching Thursday through Saturday.

U.S. Open courses are traditionally the hardest challenges of the year.

I'll agree that the Masters produces good drama most years, but is that really a "tradition unlike any other"? Still looking for what all that tournament does to distinguish itself from any other event on the tour.

[Blzer]

Re: Uncommon Opinions

No, the USGA traditionally tries to set up the course for the US Open so that even par will win. Now sometimes the weather doesn't cooperate and softens things up and players can go really low, but not as often.

Last few winning scores -16 (tied record low), -4, -5, -9, +1, +1, -16 (record set), E, -4, -1, +5, E, etc. etc.

Most certainly not really low scores compared to other majors and tournaments.

Thanks, I must be mistaking it for another tournament.

Then I guess I really don't have a very good argument/reason, heh.

[kehlis]

Re: Uncommon Opinions

U.S. Open courses are traditionally the hardest challenges of the year.



I'll agree that the Masters produces good drama most years, but is that really a "tradition unlike any other"? Still looking for what all that tournament does to distinguish itself from any other event on the tour.

The masters dinner the night before.

The par three contest (was one of the most enjoyable things I’ve witnessed in person).

The green jacket ceremony with the previous winner being there to put the jacket on the winner.

Since it’s invitation only the field is much smaller than most tournaments and far more difficult to get in.

Once you do win, you have an invite every year for the rest of your life. Tiger could in theory play at 90 if he wanted.

Those are just a few things off the top of my head but I’m sure I’m missing some.

[TripleCrown9]

Re: Uncommon Opinions

Don't forget that the food is cheap as hell.

[kehlis]

Re: Uncommon Opinions

Don't forget that the food is cheap as hell.

Oh yea forgot about that. Food and beer.

[redsox4evur]

Re: Uncommon Opinions

Oh yea forgot about that. Food and beer.

Yea I'm pretty sure the most expensive food/beverage was like $5. And another thing that set it apart from the others was Palmer, Nicklaus and Player being the first ones to tee off on the TV coverage.

[ImTellinTim]

Re: Uncommon Opinions

Basically what it comes down to is that they were/are really good at self-promotion.

[DJ]

Re: Uncommon Opinions

Basically what it comes down to is that they were/are really good at self-promotion.

I definitely respect what The Masters does from a marketing/promotional standpoint.

[pietasterp]

Re: Uncommon Opinions

College sports > professional sports

No question in my mind. And it's not even close. I also don't think that's that uncommon of an opinion (!).

Also, it makes the lack of college sports video games all the more irritating.

The Masters - overrated and overhyped.

"A tradition unlike any other."

What makes the tournament different than any other golf event, aside from still making caddies wear ridiculous white jump suits? I really can't stand that slogan/tag line.

Totally agree.

Just to answer your question, it's the hardest golf course on the planet and "separates the boys from the men." Really makes every shot matter tremendously, so when you're down to the wire it makes for entertaining drama. That's hard to get on a golf course.

Also it was one that Tiger used to own, and you know how much we all love our Tiger.

I like the US Open more though. Probably just because it's right around summertime, and contrarily you see really low scores in that one. Less of a frustrating time out watching Thursday through Saturday.

If it weren’t for the greens I’d argue that Augusta is one of the easier courses on tour. I imagine the winning score this weekend to be double digits.

U.S. Open courses are traditionally the hardest challenges of the year.

I'll agree that the Masters produces good drama most years, but is that really a "tradition unlike any other"? Still looking for what all that tournament does to distinguish itself from any other event on the tour.

Pretty much every US Open course, with the exception of last year's wind-less birdie-fest, is much, much harder than Augusta. The Masters is essentially a putting tournament; the course itself isn't that hard, hence the winning scores almost always being well under par. I mean, any course where there is essentially no rough and very few penalties for offline shots is just not that hard for modern pros. Shinnecock, Oakland Hills, Bethpage, Winged Foot, etc. are all much harder than Augusta, especially when tuned for the US Open.

Yea I'm pretty sure the most expensive food/beverage was like $5. And another thing that set it apart from the others was Palmer, Nicklaus and Player being the first ones to tee off on the TV coverage.

OK, that is legitimately awesome. I didn't know that, and frankly didn't expect that, since literally everything else about the Masters from ticket prices to merchandise is pretty expensive.

Basically what it comes down to is that they were/are really good at self-promotion.

100%. Pretty much obviated the need for all of the prior posts on this topic.

[redsox4evur]

Re: Uncommon Opinions

OK, that is legitimately awesome. I didn't know that, and frankly didn't expect that, since literally everything else about the Masters from ticket prices to merchandise is pretty expensive.

yea here is the menu board for the Masters. Most expensive things are import beer and American craft beer, both at $5.

https://twitter.com/TimDoyle00/status/981194064925282304/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&

[Blzer]

Re: Uncommon Opinions

Pretty much every US Open course, with the exception of last year's wind-less birdie-fest, is much, much harder than Augusta. The Masters is essentially a putting tournament; the course itself isn't that hard, hence the winning scores almost always being well under par. I mean, any course where there is essentially no rough and very few penalties for offline shots is just not that hard for modern pros.

Yes, I confused the Masters with the U.S. Open. That was my bad.

[pietasterp]

Re: Uncommon Opinions

yea here is the menu board for the Masters. Most expensive things are import beer and American craft beer, both at $5.

https://twitter.com/TimDoyle00/statu...c=twsrc%5Etfw&

Holy cow, it'd be worth going just to hang out and eat/drink all day long. I'd start with the chicken biscuit at 8AM and then just work my way through the menu from there. I don't get pimento cheese, but hey - when in Rome...

Presumably the restroom facilities are appropriately classy for a tournament such as the Masters?

[kehlis]

Re: Uncommon Opinions

That's the other thing about the Masters, you can't just buy a ticket. Prior to ticket brokers being a thing only members were allowed to attend. That recently changed a bit but you still have to win a raffle to even be given the right to buy a ticket.

When we went, we won a raffle but only for the Wednesday practice round (this was actually in 2010 when Tiger was making his first comeback and The Masters was his first start). So we won a raffle and were in August, but still couldn't buy a ticket to get into the actual tournament.

(I'd argue that this, along with the relatively short TV coverage compared to other tournaments is obviously not good for fans BUT for the point of the discussion it is something that makes this tournament unique)



***Like I said, this was in 2010 and I haven't looked since at all lately since I've been there already but I'm sure you can probably buy tickets now from 3rd parties but could be wrong.



Also. Augusta is absolutely boring. I can say I've been to the Masters which is awesome but I can't say I'm in a hurry to go back.