Masters 2026: Augusta National's secret weapon for controlling scores
Augusta National's sloping greens means officials can control how easy or hard a hole plays based on where they place the pin
AUGUSTA, Ga. — The Masters merchandise shop sells everything you could ever want. From gnome salt-and-pepper shakers to wallets to bottle openers to dog bowls.
One thing I wish they made was models of the greens. Hand-sculpted clay models, miniature ones, that gave a sense of the slopes and size of the surfaces out on the course. I could buy the fifth and the 14th, display them on my mantle at home and explain why they are so treacherous.
And there lies Augusta National’s secret weapon:he greens. Anyone who’s watched a minute of the Masters over the years knows just how quick the putting surfaces are. One past champion described downhill putts at Augusta like “trying to put down a marble staircase and get the ball to stop on the bottom step.
” Tournament officials don’t release green speeds, like they do at other majors, but there is no doubt Augusta’s greens live in the 14 to 15 area on the Stimpmeter . More Masters Coverage Instruction Masters 2026: A fascinating look inside a Masters caddie's yardage book Course Knowledge Masters 2026: The 'Strange' Curse of Augusta National's 12th hole Golf Digest Logo Undercover: Inside the sprawling Masters merchandise operation Combine that speed with severe slope and you have an extremely challenging combination. Let’s explain what we mean: The average slope on a PGA Tour greens is around 1.
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