2018 Masters Facts: Money, Milestones & More at Augusta Augusta
3:13 AMPosted by: John S Kiernan
It’s a tradition unlike any other and the unofficial start of spring for golf fans nationwide. But the beauty of April flowers at Augusta National Golf Club, once a plant nursery, belies the danger lurking for the 86 participants in the 82nd Masters Tournament , especially with Tiger back on the prowl. Plenty of prayers will be made around Amen Corner, to be sure. And we may even see some showers from the eyes of players who either overcome or succumb to the pressure.
To help get you in the mood for golf’s first major of the year, WalletHub analyzed the Masters from tee to green, collecting interesting fun facts along the way. You can check out our findings in the infographic below, followed by a Q&A with a panel of golf experts. Enjoy the action!
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For an inside-the-ropes report on golf-industry trends, we turned to a panel of golf professionals and sports business experts, asking them about everything from the impact of fantasy games to who will don the green jacket this year. Below, you can see who they are and what they had to say.
- Do you have any tips for hitting the links without breaking the bank?
- Should communities invest in building or rehabbing golf courses? Why or why not?
- What are the biggest issues facing the sports today?
- Fantasy golf seems to be gaining traction – what impact do you think it will have on the sport?
- Which is your pick for 2018 Masters?
Gemma Puglisi Assistant Professor of Communication at American University
Todd Selders Head Coach at the University of West Georgia
Melissa Davies Assistant Professor of Sport Management in the Department of Health, Exercise and Sport Sciences at the University of the Pacific
Harold Tate Director of Golf and Men's & Women's Head Coach at Ohio Valley University Athletic Department
David L. Smiley Lecturer, School of Public Health, Indiana University
Skip Molitor Women’s Golf Coach and Assistant Athletics Director at Whitman College
Jack O'Keefe Director of Golf and Men’s Golf Coach at Augusta University
Do you have any tips for hitting the links without breaking the bank?
I think the big issue here is that golf is a very expensive sport. I think if communities began to build golf facilities, it would be more affordable.
Should communities invest in building or rehabbing golf courses? Why or why not?
As mentioned, I do think communities need to look at offering facilities that feature golf in some way. Bring the sport to them -- as opposed to people going to courses.
What are the biggest issues facing the sport today?
Again, I think having people spend several hours and pay a lot of money is tough. But here's another issue. Football is going through a very difficult time with the severe injuries players are facing. I think that parents may feel it is too violent and too dangerous a sport for their kids. If we could bring golf to high schools-- and some may already offer it -- that could be the start of educating students about the sport and its value. It teaches patience, strategy, and coordination. It is very competitive, and it also involves teams.
I think it has to start early, so young people can experience the sport and enjoy it. I look at soccer and I noticed how popular it became for young people after the World Cups. So, I think it needs to be offered in schools -- and that there is a commitment to offer it to students, both girls and boys.
Fantasy golf seems to be gaining traction – what impact do you think it will have on the sport?
This all stems, I believe, from the boom in gaming and everything available in an app. I was traveling and it was a short flight. The guy next to me had his cell phone and was playing football on some app. this went on for over an hour and a half.
People love sports. And fantasy gives them the opportunity to be an athlete and experience all that comes with it. The thrill of the game -- making choices, having a stake in something they wouldn't have in the real world.
I compare it to the popularity of James Bond films. They continue to be popular because people love adventure, they love exotic locations, and they love the thrill and excitement the films bring.
Which is your pick for 2018 Masters?
First -- Rory McIlroy.
Second -- Henri Stenson.
Todd Selders Head Coach at the University of West Georgia
Do you have any tips for hitting the links without breaking the bank?
Many websites, coupons and just calling the course to see what kind of price breaks you can get when bringing a foursome or more.
Should communities invest in building or rehabbing golf courses? Why or why not?
Just from experience, communities should embrace their course. Offer to host a collegiate event and ask homeowners to house players. Saving colleges on hotel charges. But more importantly, getting to know collegiate players and making friends for life for both players and families.
What are the biggest issues facing the sport today?
Biggest issues facing the game, slow play, cost of equipment. Knowing rule changes.
Fantasy golf seems to be gaining traction – what impact do you think it will have on the sport?
Fantasy golf is great, in the fact that they will get to know the players on a more personal level.
Which is your pick for 2018 Masters?
Tiger Woods would dominate the sports world if he pulled it off. I’m going to stick with him -- it would be the greatest comeback of all time.
Melissa Davies Assistant Professor of Sport Management in the Department of Health, Exercise and Sport Sciences at the University of the Pacific
Do you have any tips for hitting the links without breaking the bank?
The time of day, day of the week, and time of the year can all impact the price to play. Generally, if a golfer is able to play closer to the end of the day on a weekday, they’ll score a cheaper price, meanwhile the early morning tee times on the weekend would post the highest price. Many courses also offer a discount based on the season. If it’s the peak of summer in the desert, or could snow in the northern states, golfers can expect to find lower green fees.
To explore the prices throughout the day and week, there are now many tee-time booking apps that allow consumers to review and select a tee-time at a rate they are comfortable with. Many of these apps have at least one tee-time per day that is very discounted compared to the course’s normal rate. This allows savvy golfers to player great courses at reduced rates. The TeeOff app is affiliated with the PGA Tour and is especially cost-conscious, as it doesn’t include a booking fee like some of the other apps do (e.g., Golf Now). Some golf courses are also available at a discounted rate on sites like Groupon, so if you’re not set on where you want to play, searching Groupon may also allow you to get a good deal, while trying out a new course.
Should communities invest in building or rehabbing golf courses? Why or why not?
The decision to invest in the expensive building, upgrading, or even maintaining golf courses is certainly a heated debate in many communities. According to the National Golf Foundation, the number of people playing rounds on courses, in its traditional form, has been flat or on the decline over the last decade. There has however been growth in the “off-course” participation, thanks in part to the rise in popularity of driving range entertainment facilities like TopGolf. There has also been growth in participation among younger and female golfers. I believe that to continue to grow the game of golf, there will still be a need for accessible golf courses. Courses that are affordable and approachable, like the ones owned by municipalities, or offered at an affordable rate will be key.
Golf courses provide a green space in many communities, which can promote physical activity in a sport that can be pursued across the lifespan. Golf courses, therefore, have the potential to benefit many people, particularly when the prices are affordable. Beyond price though, there are plenty of ways that golf courses can be modified to be more accessible and to promote participation. Some courses have added a larger cup diameter to make the game easier for new golfers; meanwhile, others have reimagined golf courses as multi-use green spaces, by adding frisbee/disc golf or foot golf to their facilities. This may not be an option at every 18-hole facility, but re-imagining the spaces that do exist to evolve with today’s consumer and community needs will help justify the heavy costs associated with these spaces.
What are the biggest issues facing the sport today?
During the original Tiger Woods era, interest in golf was higher than it had ever been at a time that also coincided with a strong economy. Golf courses were being built, companies were growing their golf divisions, and the market was visibly thriving. Today, the industry is not at its peak, but it’s still doing well and seeing growth in some areas like youth and female participation. Meanwhile companies like Callaway and Acushnet (parent of Titleist) are still growing their market shares.
That being said, in a society which now reportedly has the attention span comparable to a gold fish, I think some areas for improvement could be offering more flexibility in a shorter round of golf. Restructuring the course to allow for a 6, 9, 12, or 18-hole round could accommodate people who don’t have a full afternoon to commit to the game. With the incredible success of the driving range chain TopGolf, I think there may also be room for growth in similar platforms including indoor facilities, with simulator machines and intersecting other social settings with golf. Furthermore, I think technology like the reservation apps and apps that serve as on-course caddies, showing distances and hole descriptions, can continue to be leveraged to make golf more accessible and exciting. Golf courses can be reimagined to promote pace of play by offering things like shorter holes, more tee boxes, or provide larger cups on the green alongside the regulation cups. Lastly, to continue to grow the game, particularly in this economy, the sport needs to remain affordable.
Fantasy golf seems to be gaining traction – what impact do you think it will have on the sport?
Fantasy sport has added a level of intrigue for fans in many sports, and I think it helps keep consumers engaged. As it is with other fantasy sports, participating in fantasy golf gives people another reason to talk about the game or follow players and tournaments that may not have been as intriguing previously. It may also prompt people to invest in learning about and following more than the highly marketed players, thereby further broadening the interest in the Tour players.
Which is your pick for 2018 Masters?
I share the sentiment of many who would enjoy watching Tiger Woods come back to win the Masters this year after his strong start, but I’m also rooting for Justin Thomas or Rory McIllroy to earn their first green jacket.
Harold Tate Director of Golf and Men's & Women's Head Coach at Ohio Valley University Athletic Department
Do you have any tips for hitting the links without breaking the bank?
- Start by buying used equipment from garage sales, second hand stores or pawn shops. For instance, we have a store that is called Play It Again Sports, and they offer good second-hand equipment.
- Take time to find used golf balls that have been lost around water hazards and in wooded areas around the course.
- If you plan on playing a lot, buy a membership to a course. In the long run, it will save you money rather than paying every single time that you play. Also, get pricing from all of the courses in the area and try to find a course that will take monthly payments instead of one-time upfront payments.
- Walk instead of riding. Renting a cart adds a significant amount to your expenses.
- Get with friends and create a large group of 12 or more for "outings." Golf courses tend to give rebates to groups, which cuts the cost of the round down and gives you a chance to have more fun anyway.
Should communities invest in building or rehabbing golf courses? Why or why not?
Communal golf courses can be very successful in the right situations. It depends on the area and if enough players are in the area to support it. Also, the communities need to make sure that the right people are in place as employees, to ensure the golf course is maintained properly and business is conducted responsibly. This means a person who can run the business end of the course and a superintendent that is experienced.
What are the biggest issues facing the sport today?
The biggest challenge to golf courses is this -- costs are rising and revenue is declining. Thirty years ago, at my local course it cost $35 for a person to come in and play 18 holes with a cart included. The cost of gas was 91 cents a gallon, minimum wage was $3.35 an hour and chemicals for treatment were only a fraction of the cost today. That same course still charges $35 per round because no one will play if they raise their price, and now gas is $2.50 a gallon, minimum wage is approaching $8 per hour for each worker, and the chemicals are 3 to 4 times more expensive.
The golf courses are not able to keep up with inflation and are still only seen as a recreational activity. When people are having tough economic times and strict budgets, the recreational activities are usually the first thing to go.
Fantasy golf seems to be gaining traction – what impact do you think it will have on the sport?
Basically, fantasy golf greatly enhances the pleasure of watching the game, because fantasy players feel that they have an investment in what's going on. It can also improve one’s understanding and appreciation of the sport.
Time will tell what kind of impact it will have, but adding intrigue and more eyes to the game can't hurt.
Which is your pick for 2018 Masters?
You heard it here first -- Phil Mickelson is going to make a final run at a green jacket, giving guys my age hope.
Odds on favorite is Dustin Johnson and the dark horse pick is Paul Casey.
David L. Smiley Lecturer, School of Public Health, Indiana University
Do you have any tips for hitting the links without breaking the bank?
There are several things you can do to play without breaking the bank. One would be to play during off-peak times. The golf industry has come to embrace “yield management” pricing and has raised their rates during peak times. You can take advantage of this and play later in the day or in the off-peak months. Don’t be afraid to negotiate your own rate during the slow times. Just like room in a hotel, unused tee times are lost forever. Another tip is to play 9 holes and walk. Both of these will save you money. In fact at some courses the cart fee can be 30-40% of the green fee.
Should communities invest in building or rehabbing golf courses? Why or why not?
Communities should invest in rehabbing their courses if the demographics and play support that. This should be their first choice as opposed to investing in new development. Communities might even look to taking over faltering course if the market would support it. Over 200 golf courses closed in 2016, and some of these could have been an opportunity for communities to take over. At this point the game has not recovered enough to look at investing in new courses.
What are the biggest issues facing the sport today?
The two biggest issues facing the game today are the cost to play and the time required to play. While we can continue to work on the pricing, the time is going to be the most challenging aspect to overcome. In many cities a player has to allow over 6 hours of their day to play when factoring in transportation, golf and any time spent in the clubhouse afterwards. The Millennial’s who could be coming into the game, participate in very few activities where they would be willing to commit to that large a block of time. This is not something that is going to be easily overcome. Add those two things to the difficulty of the sport and it’s a recipe for continuing declining participation.
Which is your pick for 2018 Masters?
My pick for the Masters this year is Justin Rose, although I think Tiger will be in the mix the first three days.
Skip Molitor Women’s Golf Coach and Assistant Athletics Director at Whitman College
Do you have any tips for hitting the links without breaking the bank?
Local courses are usually good -- look for specials like afternoon rates, senior & junior rates, 9-hole rates, weekly/monthly specials, etc.
Should communities invest in building or rehabbing golf courses? Why or why not?
There are a ton of courses available for low costs, but communities need to be sure that there is ample demand and that the maintenance and administration of the courses make sense within whatever budget they are dealing with.
What are the biggest issues facing the sport today?
Replacing the baby boomer golfers with youth that have so many more options for entertainment and fitness opportunities than our generation had.
Fantasy golf seems to be gaining traction – what impact do you think it will have on the sport?
Anything that captures the public’s attention (which fantasy sports do) has a positive impact on spectatorship.
Which is your pick for 2018 Masters?
Don't bet against Bubba, who already has two W's this season along with two green jackets; and rumor has it there is a healthy Tiger on the prowl.
Jack O'Keefe Director of Golf and Men’s Golf Coach at Augusta University
Do you have any tips for hitting the links without breaking the bank?
Forest Hills Golf Club (1926 Donald Ross) is a public golf course in the heart of Augusta. Come play the course where Bobby Jones won the 1930 Southeastern Open during his Grand Slam year in golf. Affordable public golf course.
Bartram Trail Golf Course is a fine public golf course on the west side of town just outside of Augusta. Some of the best greens in the area and a fun course to play with 5 par 5’s. Affordable public course.
Should communities invest in building or rehabbing golf courses? Why or why not?
Communities should invest in rehabbing current golf courses. All it takes is a little money.
What are the biggest issues facing the sport today?
Slow play.
Which is your pick for 2018 Masters?
Justin Thomas or Alex Noren.
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