by james
i have been lucky enough to procure masters badges for the last number of years - i am able to sit under the tables behind the ropes and soak up the atmosphere - and take friends as well- the first time they go they are spellbound and as for the golf - well i was on fourteen green when tiger holed out for an eagle!!! my only lament - the 11 th hole - it used to be the golfers would bomb it down the right side of the fairway and you could get real close to them as they played their second shot - no longer - they have to play the hole the way it was intended - and tiger dumped one in the water - as for -cbs- body bags and bikini wax are not masters jargon- lastly tmanners matter at augusta and i for one like that very much

by Dave Woodward
I agree with your analysis. I probably watched a total of 1 hour in the four days because I am totally fed up with the announcers talking about absolutely nothing to fill air time. If there are 140 golfers at the beginning and 60 for the last two days, then why do we have to listen to them babble about nothing. Surely someone on the course has done something worth seeing, besides, Tiger, Phil, VJ every second shot. Why don't they fill the air time with golf instead of talk? I am interested in seeing the course and the shotmaking skills of as many pros as I can see. Also, how long does it take to line up a putt. If we were to take as long as them every time, we would be thrown off of most courses. They need to get back to basics and complete a game within 4 1/2 hours. They are the examples which people want to emulate, that is why the game now takes 5 hours, when it should really take no more than 4 1/2, regardless of the course.

by Bruce
You thought the Masters was a sleeper? You thought Phil was bored? Tiger had a chance on the back 9. So did Freddy, and even Rocco. His 10 did him in. But short and long hitters alike had equal chances. The last three holes didn't decide the tournament, but Phil had to play catch up after losing his lead. And that leaderboard was packed most of the day on Sunday. The story really is how well Phil played. He plays worse and we have a riveting finish. C'mon, bogey-free through 17???? Blame the predicatable finish on him, not Hootie or Nantz. Who cares what they do...

by John Phillips
Aside from any opinions on the thrills, or lack thereof, on the golfers or the course, did anyone else besides me get irritated by the obnoxious 'canned' bird sounds? While waiting for any exciting (or dull) shot, ol' tweety bird was making the background noise. Although I wouldn't put it past the Masters committee to ask for microphones in the trees, I'm convinced the chirps and warbles were overlayed into the audio. At least I was able to mute the sound on my end.

by Jeremy
Your article on the Masters made one huge error and missed the real point. The huge error was stating that it is the greatest golf competition in the world, actually I think that you will find that this honour goes to "The Open Championship" or what is known as the British Open to all you lot on that side of the pond.
The point missed is that the course at Augusta, along with so many others, is being made redundant by technology. The current vogue is to alter the course to try and make it more difficult when actually what should be happening is curbing the equipement. In my opinion a start should be made with the balls. It would be easy for the USGA & the R&A so make the ball manufacturers reduce the capability of their product and so reduce distance and control. If all manfacturers were forced to do this it would not impact sales. Perhaps another way is to reduce the number of clubs the pro can carry in their bags, that would make club selection alot more tricky.

by casey
The Masters has the strongest field. Subtract the past non-top 50 winners and you have all the top 50 players of the world. The Open is a great tournament and I agree is better than the Masters. Who cares what the winning score is as long as the course is setup well. Hey Hootie can you say, "grow the rough"?

by Hoyt Decker
Statistically speaking, the PGA Championship annually has the strongest field of any major.

by Ken
The weakest field, the weakest event, and the fake birds -- even owls. The whole thing is a bunch of crap. Hootie can take his sexist rich buddies and all go to the nearest Hooters! And my favorite golfer won but Hootie has built a course that has taken any drama out of the event. Can we say fans now -- how about rough or back nine. Hootie and the rest of the Augusta members are a bunch of stuck up *****

by William
You missed the whole point! I'll bet you're the kind of guy who watches an auto race and hopes some one will crash! This year's Masters was a wonderful display of excellent golf. I was sitting in the second row behind the 16th green on Sunday and it was not only exciting, it was riviting. Tell me that watching Tiger's tee shot land one inch from the cup rated a yawn?!? Forget about the announcers and WATCH THE GOLF!!!

by Ian M
Yep. It was dull dull dull.
At nearly midnight in England, once he found the 16th green, I went to bed.
Mind you, that's not Phil's fault! The others didnt play!

by bill porteous
Thank goodness someone in the US has come out and criticised US golf commentators. Their coverage of the Masters was pathetic, over-indulgent and almost maudlin. Have them take a course in golf coverage from the Brits who tell it as it is, warts and all, in contrast to Nantz who almost "de-ifies" the likes of Woods , Mickelson , Nicklaus and Palmer (Mr.Palmer yet). We golf fans want to watch players playing golf, not a course in statistics.

by Jim P
Baldwin may not like Nance, and that's fine, but this year's Masters was a great tournament. I guess if Tiger had won it would have been fine.
Up until Freddie did his nosedive, it was riveting. Couples had a shot. A few made 4-6 footers and he'd be wearing the green jacket instead of Mickleson. But Phil played great! He should be #1 in the world now, but they'll find a way to keep Tiger there... no matter how pathetic his performance was (for him).

by Charlie
You hit this on the head. CBS is so far up the butt of Augusta National even the CEO of CBS last night on Letterman wouldn't crack a joke about the tournament. Yet, CBS has no problem broadcasting made up stories about presidents, senators or other high profile people. Let's face it, Hootie runs Augusta National and CBS. They pick the announcers, tell them to call spectators 'patrons' and not fans and critique the coverage after the tournament. As far as the course goes...these guys are plain stupid. Grow the rough and those who miss the fairway after driving 315 yards won't be able to get the ball on the green. Check the stats, those who drive a long way are not accurate, but they put the ball on the green and the old adage, "drive for show putt for dough" is as true today as ever. Unfortunately, if it isn't Nantz and CBS it would be some other *** kissing network and broadcaster.

by ironshem
The only commentators I can listen to is Azinger,Faldo and Turico. Don't forget to put Johnny Miller on that same boat going out to sea along with Nance.

by Casey
Azinger and Faldo....you have got to be kidding. Azinger is a whiner and Faldo doesn't have enough intelligence to make a coherent comment. Turico...excellent...I'll take Miller's candor anyday. Could you imagine Miller doing the Master's. Hootie would pass out after two holes!