What Augusta National has been doing for years which has negatively impacted other golf courses across America

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Augusta National is currently preparing for another edition of The Masters, which returns to the iconic course in April.

The Masters represents the first major championship of the 2026 season, with Augusta National playing host as ever.

Rory McIlroy won The Masters in stunning fashion this year, defeating Justin Rose in a playoff to claim the green jacket.

The Northern Irishman earned his fifth major championship win in the process, as well as completing the career grand slam.

What Augusta National has been doing which has negatively impacted other American golf courses

Augusta National was a fitting host for the drama, but the iconic venue has been discussed in a somewhat negative light on Golf.

Josh Sens explained: “Think about Augusta. That’s the elephant in the room when we talk about conditioning.

“For so many decades, it has set the standard for conditioning to the point where it’s so impeccable, there are people who think that only green impeccable courses are up to standard. And for Augusta, it works, it’s part of the tournament. And also they can keep it very green and firm.

“There are a lot of courses, if they try to get that green, they get soft, they get squishy, they start to lose their architectural character.

“The Augusta effect, as it were, has had some downsides on the industry, for sure, but I think there’s been enough pushback where people are starting to appreciate that as you said.

“Royal Melbourne might be browned out, but hey, if it’s playing firm and fast, that’s the way it’s supposed to be.”

Simon Holt commented: “I think years ago, people see green every single April, and they want their course to aspire to that. They think green is great, everywhere should be, wall-to-wall emerald.

“Augusta is perfect, not a blade of grass out of place, but still plays firm and fast because they spend millions and millions of dollars on the conditioning of that golf course, the technology under the soil, not everywhere can do that.”

And Sens added: “One of the recent US opens at Pinehurst No.2 when it came back, our now President, who was not yet in politics, but I remember their aerial views of Pinehurst looking kind of tawny, browned out around the edges, and him posting something on social media about how it was a travesty that a US Open was being held on such a browned out, poorly maintained golf course.

“So again, that spoke to the kind of stubborn perception in this country I think mostly that if it’s not Augusta green, they’re doing something wrong.”

READ MORE: Jack Nicklaus once named the ‘terrible’ Augusta National hole that he urgently wants to see changed

Where are the 2026 major championships being held?

Augusta National has undoubtedly set the standard for American golf courses throughout history, but there are of course many other iconic venues that players simply love playing.

Gary Player’s favourite American course is Pine Valley, while Northern Ireland’s Royal County Down has been ranked above Augusta National.

The Open Championship only just visited Northern Ireland, having taken place at Royal Portrush, while the PGA Championship and the US Open took place at Quail Hollow and Oakmont respectively.

In 2026, Augusta National kicks off the schedule with The Masters, with the PGA Championship heading to Aronimink Golf Club in Pennsylvania.

Golf then returns to New York for the US Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, with England’s Royal Birkdale hosting The Open.