The Masters - Is it the best major?

.... but how dull was The Open last year after the wind wrecked the field! A lot depends on what you want from a Major. I want excitement above all else.On that basis I don't think you can blanket select a best overall Major. Last year The Open was probably the worst for the viewer.
 
i love the masters,the history , the venue and the hype of it gives me the green light for the start of the season.
the open is on par with it tho, every step of the way.
 
It's the one I look forward to seeing more than the other 3 due mainly to it heralding the start of "summer golfing" for us mere mortals too.

Now that the par 3 comp is televised it just adds to that feel good factor surrounding the tournament and lets us wallow in some nostalgia and fun before they get down to business.

I haven't got Sky 3D but I think Augusta would be very interesting to watch if it's any good. Saw The Masters in HD for the 1st time last year and even that was a real eye opener.
 
Only 96 entered The Masters last year. Although, in theory, they all have a chance to win, the likes of Crenshaw, Stadler, O'Meara etc realistically they don't.
Of the 96 maybe 60 have a chance. That makes it no more worthy than a WGC event. As a spectacle it's second to none. But as a Major it's even falling behind the traditional 4th, the PGA.
And being an Invitational event, in theory, even if a player qualifies they could simply not invite them.
Being played on the same course every year benefits those that regularly qualify. They say you have to ay it many times to get used to it. This means debutantes have little chance of sucess thus reducing the number of potential winners further. There's always exceptions but it's often a "regular" who wins it.
 
I think you're right Dodger. The Open and US Open both contain Amateurs and qualifiers with little or no hope. So does the USPGA but more of the World's top 100 play in it than the others
 
Whilst I love watching the Masters, it shouldn't be a major. The fact that is is an invitational says it all really. I also don't believe that golf should be promoting courses in major championships that joe public can't play at any cost. How is that good for the sport?

Also, I get annoyed with the limited viewing, as Augusta only allow certain hours of transmission. They should be told to stuff it in no uncertain terms. Ok, it's got better with the amen corner feed etc, but it in no way offers the coverage of the open.

It does however herald the start of the golfing season.
 
I'm not the biggest fan of watching golf but I absolutely love the Masters. Yes it's an invite but in all honesty very, very few top players won't be there. Yes it's a course we can't get on. Yes, the committee there have some strange ideas about retaining the exclusivity.

BUT.... for me it's the tournament that got me into golf. Back in the 70's when there was little golf on the telly (come to think of it there was little of anything on the telly with jut 3 channels) it was fantastic to see the worlds best compete in such brilliant surroundings.

Sitting down on the Sunday night to watch the final round is one of the highlights of my golfing year. It feels like you are there because you "know" the course so well and the "silly" greens and par 5's on the back 9 so often produce an exciting finish. For me certainly the best Major.
 
.... but how dull was The Open last year after the wind wrecked the field! A lot depends on what you want from a Major. I want excitement above all else.On that basis I don't think you can blanket select a best overall Major. Last year The Open was probably the worst for the viewer.

Was the question the best for the viewer or the best major?

If it was best for the viewer - then for me the Masters wins hands down.

If it was the best major - for me that includes the challenge, the weather , the field i.e. everything and in that case only one winner The Open.
 
.... but how dull was The Open last year after the wind wrecked the field!

Which just goes to show that most of the pampered puffs cannot handle a wee bit of wind!!

The open wins hands down IMO although the USPGA is good too, the masters is a nice spectacle but to me it only reinforces the fact the season starts properly
 
No debate for me - the Open is the best major out of the four.
 
Imurg,the USPGA for me has the strongest field of the Majors and is fast losing it's tag as the 4th Major.

I believe you are correct Dodger about the USPGA it does have the strongest field. Like many have said before me the only golf we got in the 70's was The Open and the Masters so with its magnificent surroundings many will go for the Masters.
But I can remember listening to Monty many years ago when he thought the US Open as the top one to win, and I agree with Homer, now that they have stopped the ridiculous rough just off the fairway it has become a far better competition. So for me it's

1) US Open
2) The Open
3) USPGA
4) Masters.
 
Don't get me wrong, I love the Open, but there is just something about the Masters that enthralls me.

Maybe, it is the memories: Seve, Jack, Faldo, Lyle, Langer, Crenshaw, Woosie, Olazabal, Tiger, Mickelson.

Maybe, it is the incredible beauty of the place.

Maybe, it is the time of year. Spring is here and the golf season upon it.

Perhaps, it is it's inaccessibility. I know that (with enough money) I could play any other Major venue, but I'll never be able to play Augusta. I will only be able to dream.

All of that adds up to make it my favourite major.
 
The Open is the best Major for me. It's pure golf at its best. I however love the whole image of the Masters. It's like Disney World of golf, with everything carefully managed for the event. From the proud traditions to the carefully manicured course. No detail is too small. I would love to go one year to experience the atmosphere of the week.
 
For me, it's The Open every time.
The Masters is more of a spectacle, though to me the course always looks a bit like an overdressed mum trying to compete with her daughters. I'll still watch but please, please stop dragging out the old and infirm, unless of course they like to embarrass themselves.
 
I prefer the Masters from a personal perspective.

It was the only time that my dad and I ever watched golf together as the Open was always in family or work time. Especially remember the first Masters Nick Faldo won when Hoch missed that short putt we both leapt up to celebrate - a special memory for me.

Hope I can stay up late with my son and enjoy some 'moments' from Augusta in the future!
 
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