Most amateur golfers won’t ever get to experience playing Augusta National and the debate will always rage about what a high handicap would shoot around there.
Given the prestige of the course and how we see some of the best players in the world struggle, the assumption has always been that a big score would be posted.
Indeed, Mark O’Meara once suggested breaking 100 would be impossible for a 15-handicap.
“A 15 handicap at Augusta National, playing from where these kids play today, for sure would not even have a chance of breaking 100. That’s how difficult the course is, that’s how much slope there is and speed in the greens. An average player would have a very difficult time getting it round Augusta National in less than 100,” he said.
With that in mind, when it comes to an 18 handicap, YouTube star Rick Shiels has claimed things could be even worse.
What an 18-handicap golfer would score around Augusta National
Speaking back on a previous episode of his podcast, Shiels got onto the subject of playing Augusta after finally experiencing it for himself.
Indeed, when asked specifically what an 18-handicap golfer would shoot, Shiels admitted they’d do well to even get near the 100 mark.
“I think an 18 handicapper, honestly…The greens are so, so, so hard. I don’t think a single 18 handicapper would shoot a handicap playing better ball. That’s my honest opinion,” Shiels said.
“I think so many of them would have multiple 10’s on their scorecards. I think they could get under 110, but I don’t think an 18 handicapper would break 100. I would bet a lot of money on it.”
The highest ever rounds by professionals at The Masters
Given the professionals often play off handicaps around the plus six or seven mark, seeing an 18 handicapper around Augusta would be almost amusing to watch.
Indeed, the proof is in the pudding really when you look at some of the worst Masters scores ever.
Charles Kunkle once shot a 95 for a 23 over par round, while a 73-year-old Billy Casper once shot 106 but didn’t sign his scorecard so it was never official.
Sergio Garcia once shot a 13 on the par five 15th in 2018, while Tom Weiskopf went one worse, carding a 13 on the par three 12th.
Put simply, August National is a hard golf course and any amateurs who feel they could get round in anything under 90, are probably kidding themselves.
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