Welcome to the fourth installment of our “Caddie Confidential” series, with monthly, inside-the-ropes perspective from dozens of Tour caddies on rotating golf topics. Up this month: insights from caddies about the season’s first major championship — the Masters Tournament.
You’d be hard-pressed to find a player, caddie, golf fan, or casual golfer who doesn’t get excited about the Masters Tournament.
It’s the first major championship of the season and — when things like COVID don’t get in the way — it’s usually the first major after an eight-month break from golf’s biggest championships.
The Masters probably gets more hype than any other major. If you go through the history of the tournament, you’ll find that hype is absolutely deserved. But, we had to ask the question: could it be possible that the Masters is overrated?
Based on the response from the dozens of caddies we surveyed, the answer to that question is pretty simple…
- No, it is absolutely not overrated: 93.8%
- Yes, it is overrated: 6.2%
“The Masters is great for many reasons,” one caddie told us. “The fact that this major is played at the same venue every year — the tradition of the Masters itself — along with the many, many ongoing traditions at the Masters, some that the general public is aware of and some that are only known to the players and caddies. It’s a very special event, tournament and golf course.”
Although one caddie shocked us with this answer: “If it wasn’t a major, you would get the same turnout as a lower-tiered tournament.”
Why or why not is the Masters overrated?
Check out this selection of responses from caddies:
Everyone should experience how a golf tournament should be run. And the Masters is just that.
It’s magical.
Ask the players which major they want to win most and it’s the Masters, period! It’s golf heaven with a really tough walk for the caddies! Who says God doesn’t have a sense of humor?
Just go there and you’ll see … no way it’s overrated.
Every sport has the “big game” and for golf it’s the Masters.
It’s the Masters. It creates its own drama every year regardless of the leaderboard after 54 holes.
It’s not overrated because it produces exciting finishes and drama every year.
Those who have experienced the event revere it. I caddied in my first Masters last November and it exceeded all expectations.
Toughest field to get into, one of the best courses, most prestigious event in my opinion.
It’s hollowed ground.
I originally would have said overrated. After spending many years there, the attention to detail, the meticulous methods by the green coats and the absence of distractions has changed my opinion. It’s the only sporting event in the world that consistently exceeds expectations.
I’m sure I’m in the minority, but I think it’s overrated. Too contrived.
There is so much history and tradition there. Also a golf course that has stood the test of time.
Simply put … it’s a tradition unlike any other.
Everything is just done right. The traditions are amazing. The course is immaculate. Always a worthy winner.
It would be great to have more players in the field who could be considered legitimate chances to win, but it is still a major that every golfer dreams of winning.
Even though the limited, smaller field may seem like it’s not truly worthy of a “major” rating, the qualifications to participate are elite. The best of the best play every year. The Masters champion should never be underrated.
If it wasn’t a major you would get the same turnout as a lower-tiered tournament.
It is the epitome of what golf should be. Majestic and without rival.
It’s the Mecca of golf between how the caddies are treated to the energy of walking the course when there’s thousands of fans, which makes it the best.
Interested in more from our April 2021 installment of Caddie Confidential? Be sure to check out what caddies think about golf’s biggest events being played in the absence of fans, as well as what caddies believe to be the best Masters tradition.
You can view all the results from our entire Caddie Confidential by clicking here.