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.
