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 in Ireland and Kingbarns and Dumbarnie Links 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 Augusta National Golf Club 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.
To this day, the Augusta National members include some of the most successful individuals in the country. They're all members of various different clubs and visit Augusta periodically during the club's season. 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.
The delayed 2020 Masters took place in November, Augusta National's usual first full month of the season
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 or closing down in the summer 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.
-
Rory McIlroy Set To Make Shock Return To PGA Tour Policy Board - ReportThe World No.2 could be returning to the PGA Tour policy board as a player director once again after stepping down from the role last November
-
LIV Golf Adelaide Prize Money Payout 2024The big-money League resumes and there’s another huge payout on offer for the 54 players in the field
-
Why Tiger Woods’ Masters Week Was Actually A Huge SuccessWoods finished last at an event in which he made the cut for just the third time in his near-30-year pro career at The 2024 Masters - but looking at the result here is too short-sighted...
-
What Golf Shoe Does Bryson Dechambeau Wear?DeChambeau has worn many pairs of golf shoes throughout his career, with the American currently wearing the FootJoy HyperFlex Carbon
-
The Masters Azalea Cocktail Recipe: How To Make The Famous Augusta National DrinkThanks to the Masters’ official pinterest page, we now know how to make the famous cocktail the right way
-
The 2018 Fairway Wood Tiger Woods Is Using At The MastersDespite being an older model, the 15-time Major winner has kept the TaylorMade M3 fairway wood in his bag for over six years and continues to use it at Augusta National
-
What Golf Shoes Is Camilo Villegas Wearing At The Masters?The multiple-time PGA Tour winner was seen wearing a pair of eye-catching Nike Air Jordan shoes whilst paired with Rory McIlroy during the third round at Augusta National
-
Who Has Won The Most Money At The Masters?Jack Nicklaus has won the most Green Jackets in history and Tiger Woods is the most successful champion in the modern era - but the answer is neither of those two...
-
Who Has Made The Most Consecutive Cuts At The Masters?Tiger Woods is chasing a record-breaking 25th consecutive cut at the 2024 Masters
-
Who Gives The Green Jacket If There's A Back-To-Back Winner Of The Masters?Traditionally, the previous winner of The Masters hands the new champion the Green Jacket - here's what happens when there's a back-to-back winner
