Has the front 9 at the Masters always been televised?

Question

I made the mistake yesterday of telling people in the pub that the front nine of the Masters was never televised. Imagine my embarrassment when I turned round to see Tiger Woods tee-off at the 3rd.

Was I right and this is a new development this year, or was I just painfully wrong and it's always all been televised?

Answer 1

It's not always been televised. Regular coverage of just part of the front nine was shown for the first time in 1997. Prior to that, it was only rarely seen. And as late as 1998, there was a TOTAL of ten hours of coverage of the tournament.

The members thought that not showing the front nine added a mystique to the tournament, and increased ticket sales.

Answer 2

no, its a recent development in the past few years

Answer 3

Been televised for as long as I can remember.

Although the edited highlights do tend to concentrate on the back 9 because that's where most of the drama unfolds.

Answer 4

The front nine has not always been televised. There are a lot of restrictions that Augusta places on the media when commentating and televising the front nine used to be one of them. At one time I too would have said the same thing you did, so I can imagine your imbarassment.

There are more things about Augusta than meets the eye. Like why do they call it Amen Corner and the rough is called the second cut and how did the Eisenhower tree get it's name.

Answer 5

No there was very little TV coverage not that long ago....cant remember when, but since then the coverage has gradually increased...thankfully....it is by far the best golf tournament in the world....brilliant.

Answer 6

it sure is.

Answer 7

haha its always been on the Tv