Is Augusta National Open All Year?

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.

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