Is Augusta National Open All Year?
Augusta National looks heavenly each April, but is the world-famous course open all year round?
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Is Augusta National Open All Year?
It may be a purely theoretical question for most of us who will never get the chance to play at the home of The Masters. But the answer, quite simply, is no. While a handful of UK and Irish courses close over winter – among them Old Head (opens in new tab) in Ireland and Kingbarns (opens in new tab) and Dumbarnie Links (opens in new tab) in Scotland – it is the summer months when things close down at Augusta National. November, when the 2020 Masters took place, would normally be the course’s first full month after its annual summer closure. This extends from late May until some time in October.
Why does Augusta National close in the summer?
When it opened in the 1930s, Bobby Jones wanted Augusta to be a “national” club in the sense of attracting wealthy executives from all over the States. Winter was not only the best time for them but also the best time for Augusta’s climate.
In this part of Georgia, the summer temperatures remain in 90s throughout June, July and August. In 2019, the temperature gauge hit 100˚F (37.8˚C) or more on five days in July and August. May and September temperatures are also in the high 80s. Add in extremely high humidity, which can hit 100% in July, and summer golf in Augusta wouldn’t be a whole lot of fun.
Another big reason is the work that goes on at the club in terms of improvements and remodelling. This often-extensive work is undertaken during those summer months when no golf is being played. Extreme care and attention are given to the course's famed greens. Because they are bentgrass, a cool-season grass, particular care is taken during the hottest months.
Many of us will be looking to get as much golf as possible in during the summer months. But it’s the complete opposite for members at Augusta, where golf is a late autumn, winter and early spring pastime.
More Masters Content
- Who Owns Augusta National Golf Club? (opens in new tab)
- Augusta National Scorecard (opens in new tab)
- Who Are The Most Famous Augusta National Members? (opens in new tab)
A golfer for most of his life, Sam is a Senior Staff Writer for Golf Monthly.
Working with golf gear and equipment over the last five years, Sam has quickly built outstanding knowledge and expertise on golf products ranging from drivers, to balls, to shoes.
He also loves to test golf apparel especially if it a piece that can be used just about anywhere!
As a result he has always been the one family and friends come to for buying advice and tips.
He is a graduate of Swansea University where he studied History and American Studies, and he has been a part of the Golf Monthly team since December 2017. He also previously worked for World Soccer and Rugby World magazines.
Sam now spends most of his time testing and looking after golf gear content for the website. He also oversees all Tour player content as well.
Unfortunately, Sam is not a member of any club at the moment but regularly gets out on the golf course to keep up the facade of having a handicap of five.
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