Catching the Masters broadcast is a rite of spring for every golfer, but knowing how to truly watch the tournament is a different ball game entirely. It’s about more than just seeing who’s in the lead, it’s understanding the subtle genius of Augusta National, decoding player strategy, and appreciating the incredible skill on display. This guide will walk you through everything you need, from the best ways to access the live feeds to what to look for on every shot, so you can watch this year's tournament like a seasoned pro.
Unlike other golf tournaments, the Masters has always managed its broadcast rights tightly. For the viewer, this is fantastic news. It means they’ve built a centralized, state-of-the-art viewing experience that gives you more access than you might think possible, much of it completely free. Here’s how to tap in.
The traditional television broadcast is split between two networks in the United States. While times can vary slightly year to year, the general schedule holds true:
If you only watch the traditional TV broadcast, you are missing most of the action. The single best way to view the Masters is through their official website, Masters.com, or the official Masters app - both are free. This is your command center for the entire week and offers several live-streaming channels that start hours before the TV broadcast even comes on air. For a golf fan, it’s paradise.
Here’s what you get:
If you don't have cable, you can still catch all the action. Most of the Live TV streaming services carry ESPN and CBS. Services like Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV will have you covered. Additionally, you can stream the CBS weekend broadcast through Paramount+.
Televised golf can be deceiving. The incredible camera work at Augusta presents a course so pristine it almost looks manicured and, dare I say, flat. Don’t be fooled. Recognizing Augusta National's brutal subtlety is the key to understanding why players make certain decisions.
The first thing to understand is that Augusta National is built on a severely sloped piece of land. The elevation change from the highest point (1st tee) to the lowest (Rae's Creek by the 12th green) is about the same as a 17-story building. This a fact the cameras simply cannot convey.
When you see a player standing on the 10th tee, remember they are hitting down a hill that drops more than 100 feet. When you watch them trudge up the 18th fairway, they are climbing a steep hill that leaves players breathless. Nearly every single shot has a ball-above-the-feet or ball-below-the-feet lie, which makes controlling distance and direction punishingly difficult.
You’ve heard the announcers say the greens are fast. But it’s hard to comprehend what that truly means. The greens are notorious for their speed, hovering around 13-14 on the Stimpmeter. For most of us at our local clubs, putting on our greens is like putting on carpet, at Augusta, it’s like putting across your kitchen countertop.
As a coach, I tell players: watch where the pros are trying to leave their approach shots. They aren't just aiming at the flag. They're playing an incredibly detailed game of chess, maneuvering for an uphill putt. A downhill putt on any of Augusta's greens is a terrifying prospect. Being above the hole is often a guaranteed two-putt, with a three-putt always in play.
Augusta National doesn’t have "rough." It has a "second cut." The difference is meaningful. Unlike the thick, tangled stuff at a U.S. Open that smothers the ball, the second cut at Augusta sees the ball sit up slightly. This sounds nice, but it creates "flier lies." The grass gets between the clubface and a ball, reducing spin, which causes the shot to fly farther and more unpredictably than A player would expect. These "fliers" from the second cut are a theme throughout the week and make distance control a nightmare.
Once you understand the canvas of Augusta National, you can start to see the player’s art. You can appreciate shot-making on a deeper level by paying attention to the strategy behind each shot.
This is my single biggest tip for viewing the Masters. Watch where pros aim and then watch where their missed shots end up. Great players have a "good miss." They almost never fire directly at a tucked pin. Sunday pin placements at Augusta are notoriously dangerous, set just over a bunker or right beside a sharp slope that will carry a ball into the water.
Smart players aim for the middle of the green, the fat part, giving themselves 20 or 30 feet for birdie. A front-left pin on hole 16? They’ll aim 15 feet right of it. They would rather have a long putt than be "short-sided" - where they miss the green on the same side the hole is cut, leaving almost no green to work with on their chip shot. A short-sided miss at Augusta is bogey or worse, guaranteed.
This legendary stretch requires immense mental fortitude and flawless execution.
Come Sunday, you'll hear the “Augusta Roars.” Because the course is relatively compact, the roars from big shots and eagles echo through the pines. Players on the 8th green can clearly hear what's happening on the 16th. For the leader, those roars sound like someone is chasing them. For those behind, it encourages them to take on more risk and get aggressive. Watch player body language during those roars, it's a huge part of the back-nine story every year.
Viewing the Masters with an understanding of course strategy and player decision-making transforms the experience from passive entertainment into an active, engaging lesson in golf. This week, watch for where players leave their misses and appreciate the small wins, and you’ll have a newfound respect for what it takes to earn that Green Jacket.
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