POLL: How 5,000 golf fans *really* feel about the Masters and Augusta National

We know how the world’s best golfers feel about Augusta National. They’re asked about it every April.

Now we also know how you feel.

Below you’ll find the surprising results of GOLF.com’s 2023 Masters- and Augusta National-themed readers’ survey, which drew nearly 5,400 respondents when we conducted our polling in early February. How much would our audience pay to attend the Masters? What’s the most intriguing off-limits spot at ANGC? Would they forgo golf for a year in return for a round at Augusta National? Scroll below for the answers to these questions and many more. Umm…Masters tattoo, anyone?

Roughly how many professional golf tournaments do you watch on TV each year?

20 or more — 48.6%
10-19 — 32.2%
5-9 — 13.9%
Just the majors — 4.2%
Just the Masters — 1.1%

Which is your favorite major to watch?

Masters — 86.2%
PGA Championship — 1%
U.S. Open — 6.6%
Open Championship — 6.2%

Which do you more enjoy watching?

Masters — 76.2%
Ryder Cup — 23.8%

Have you attended a Masters?

Yes — 33.8%
No — 66.2%

Have you attended more than one Masters?

Yes — 18.5%
No — 81.5%

If you have not attended a Masters, is it on your bucket list?

Yes! — 78%
Nah, I’m good. Rather watch on TV — 22%

How much would you pay for a grounds pass to one Masters tournament round?

No more than $500 — 81.7%
Up to $1,000 — 15.2%
More than $1,000 — 3.1%

Would you rather attend a Masters or play Augusta National?

Attend — 17%
Play — 83%

How much would be willing to pay to play Augusta National?

No more than $500 — 54.3%
Up to $1,000 — 36.7%
Up to $5,000 — 6.8%
Up to $10,000 — 1.1%
More than $10,000 — 1%

If you could play only one round of golf next year, but it would be at Augusta National, would you take the deal?

Yes — 52.5%
No — 47.5%

Would you get a small Masters logo tattooed on/near your ankle in exchange for a round at Augusta National?

Yes — 50.2%
No — 49.8%

If you could sit at one hole — but only one hole — for a Masters round, where are you parking? 

Next to green at 15 (with views of 16th tee) — 37%
Behind tee at 12 (and with views of 11th green) — 34.3%
Next to 18th green — 15.2%
Next to 13th green — 9.9%
Other — 3.6%  

If you could visit one of these spots on ANGC’s grounds, which would you choose? 

Champions Locker Room — 52%
Butler Cabin — 21%
Crow’s Nest — 17.1%
Clubhouse wine cellar — 9.9%

Among the course changes for 2023: the lengthening of the iconic par-5 13th hole. Good move?

Yes, with modern driving distances, the hole has lost some of its strategy — 50.2%
No, why mess with a good thing? — 10.4%
Hard to say. Let’s wait and see — 39.4%

Will LIV golfers competing in the 2023 Masters make you any more or less likely to watch?

Slightly more likely — 5.6%
Much more likely — 9.1%
Slightly less likely — 9.6%
Much less likely — 5.2%
No more or less likely — 70.4%

Best Masters of the modern era? 

1975 – Jack Nicklaus fends off Johnny Miller, Tom Weiskopf — 4.6%
1986 – Jack Nicklaus wins 6th at 46 — 44.4%
1997 – Tiger Woods wins first (“one for the ages”) — 15.7%
2019 – Tiger Woods wins 5th after returning from injury — 32.4%
Other — 3%

Best Masters tradition?

Green jacket — 31.1%
Champions Dinner — 27.3%
Ceremonial opening tee shots — 19.6%
Par-3 Contest — 15.9%
Pimento cheese sandwich — 4.7%
Other — 1.5%

Do you own any Masters-branded merchandise? 

Yes — 58.4%
No — 41.6%

Should the U.S. Junior Amateur champion get a Masters invite?

Yes — 63.9%
Disagree — 36.1%

Will Tiger Woods win another Masters?

Yes — 18.5%
No — 81.5%

Will Phil Mickelson win another Masters?

Yes — 2.8%
No — 97.2%

Who should be the next player to join ceremonial tee shot participants Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson?

Ben Crenshaw — 47.8%
Nick Faldo — 27.4%
José María Olazábal — 4.2%
No one — 16.5%
Other — 4.1%

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