This question has been circulating on social media for the past two weeks.
Since we’re only 42 days away from the start of the Masters, I thought it would be a good time to start the conversation.
If you get the chance to play Augusta National once (assuming you get a caddy, the weather is right, and all other conditions are good) OR given the chance to receive two Masters Sunday badges for the rest of your life, which would you choose?
I know where I’m going here: I only want to play Augusta once.
Let’s dig into the pros and cons of this completely hypothetical scenario.
Why would you choose to play at Augusta?
My argument here is simple.
You can pay your way into the Masters as a backer — but no amount of money can buy you a stint at Augusta National.
Sure, I’ll probably shoot 120 and four putt some greens. It probably wouldn’t be a little bird all day.
Yes, the experience would last all of four hours or more. Hopefully I would be given 45 minutes at the pro shop and go into bad credit card debt (worth it). I hope I would have a chance to see the club and the dressing room.
It’s a deal that can never be repeated.
But you can say you played Augusta National. The course is so memorable and special. Getting the chance to play is so worth it.
My main problem with Sunday badges is that the final round of the Masters is a better TV experience.
Without cell phones, you don’t really have a sense of what’s going on on the course. You can only see the golf ahead of you and watch the leaderboards to see how the drama is unfolding.
Attending the Masters is a better experience at the beginning of the week.
Why you should choose Masters Sunday badges
Having access to two Sunday badges would be a power trip.
You can bring a different family member or friend each year. If you don’t feel like going, you can offer it to someone else.
Every golf-crazy person in your life would suddenly become your best friend.
Of course, you wouldn’t want to sell them on the open market. If someone has used your badge and been kicked out for any reason, it will be traced back to you. Goodbye Masters badges.
I suppose you could sell them to people you trust, but that seems a bit messy.
The biggest objection to playing Augusta is that, as I mentioned, it’s a one-time experience that would take about the same amount of time as a Big 12 football game.
These Masters Sunday badges are for life. You can witness every historical moment for decades.
Every year you can look forward to going to Augusta. It would be a whole tradition.
That sounds pretty spectacular.
Which would you choose?
OK, cast your votes.
I’m getting my clubs ready, driving down Magnolia Lane and getting all the fun shots we’ve seen on TV forever. I’m very excited about it (maybe in another life, I guess).
A round around Augusta National? Or Sunday Masters badges for life?
Let me know below in the comments.
Main photo caption: Masters Sunday badges or playing Augusta once? (GETTY IMAGES/Joel Marklund).
