What would an 18 handicap golfer score at AUGUSTA?

Tiger Woods, Jordan Spieth, Jon Rahm & Dustin Johnson have all won The Masters and worn the iconic green jacket! In this video Rick Shiels answers the question 'what would an average golfer score at Augusta National Golf Club?'
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[@RickShielsGolfShow]

FULL podcast out tomorrow!!!!

[@jazzehentner4548]

I feel def like I could shoot 90 or better....

[@jazzehentner4548]

And I've never had a hdcp.

[@ashlyntaylor4774]

i played augusta and i shot 81 and im a 4 handicap

[@firstname2072]

This sounds like a challenge, I’m a 16 and I recon you should invite me on Monday to shoot under 100

[@TheJccesar24]

Completely and politely disagree with this. What is not being mentioned here, is that mental toughness that some of us amateurs have to grind it out. I'm up for that challenge anytime.

[@mashedpotatoes5276]

“What would an 18 handicap shoot” “BUT I DROVE IT WELL!!!!!”

[@ADJ_83]

Hi Rick, how did you drive the ball at Augusta?

[@wernerheenop]

Perhaps a follow up video describing clearly how he drove the ball that day...

[@A1BASE]

I’m about that handicap and played a local course renowned for its extremely fast, extremely difficult greens last week for the first time. I shot 45 JUST COUNTING PUTTS. 😂 114 overall, and that was from the white tees. I can only imagine Augusta in tournament condition from the tips is just a wee bit tougher than that…

[@yaakovbelfer1698]

I'm a 13 handicap but that includes an average of about 40 putts because my clubs greens are crazy fast and pin positions are rarely on even grounds . .. anyways .. point is that if Rick thinks he can comfortably break 80 than I think it's a bit harsh to say a four ball of 18 handicappers which in any normal course would comfortably shoot close to par at worst would have no chance of breaking 90 .. that's just illogical . Yes some players would have 10's .. but best ball means u just need one guy a hole to shoot a bogey !!! Cmon Rick ... you would have no chance of beating playing against a 4ball of 18 handicappers . I think u r forgetting that to be an 18 handicap you do still have to be able to hit a lot of good golf shots .. it just means you are also throwing in a few doubles and an occasional triple .. but you're still making 4-5 pars a round .

[@HanssenKrause]

Random Golf Club has run similar experiments in their "Breaking" series, which are a good watch.

[@CHR15Y-BoY]

Playing Augusta 6.5k yards and playing it 7.5k yards is massive Rick would struggle to break 100!

[@101wildgoose]

6.5k* 7.5k*

[@briandovey6241]

I'm a 30 hcp, would be happy to score 170 at Augusta!😂

[@squashmeee]

Under 10 stokes per hole👍

[@Porkchopexpress391]

Take a shot every time Rick says he drove it well!

[@mikemcmanus7088]

Cheers mate, steaming now and I’ve just KO’d the Mrs 👍

[@darrenrider5676]

I would have passed out before the end of the video

[@silkee1922]

I know. Bro must not do that very much.😂

[@Porkchopexpress391]

I think I frank to much winskey

[@delphic464]

Odd...I tried your game but I stopped drinking when he started saying "wrove it dell."

[@YoYoZamolo]

Does anybody know what Rick’s driving was like on the day???

[@stevewolfe8536]

Rick being a 18 HCP himself would know very well 😂

[@DavidJohnson-sf8ku]

That storeroom for your clubs is amazing and it’s my dream. Thanks for all the great content

[@Jh-mp2rd]

Sounds like you need 4 of us to test your theory out rick...........I'm in 😅

[@ericmiller8323]

To be a fair comparison, the ‘scratch’, 9 and 18 capper would need at least a couple of days at the course to play practice rounds before they compete. No tour pro plays the Masters site unseen.

[@dbo4506]

That’s a good point

[@tobybarker6808]

18 HCP shoots over 100, every day of the week

[@underthetrees4780]

As a 20 handicapper I have no doubt. The problem is my aim points are too large. On an approach shot I'm thinking "on the green" so shots I normally accept as good shots on municipal greens would be punishing at Augusta.

[@gbjwal1]

I’m thinking they are hitting 120. 10 handicaps are 110

[@alexkravserious]

18hcp from the tips is over 100 on nearly all courses

[@snagginbirdies1006]

@@gbjwal1 Not a chance. From the Masters tees it's unofficially rated as a 78.1 which is probably too high considering the slope rating is only 137. The biggest difficulty being distance and the insane greens. But you can spray it off the tee and there are relatively few penalty areas, hence a 137 slope. A 10 would shoot would average around 90-95, again from the Masters tees, not the members tees which are way shorter. I love Rick's content but this is an exaggeration. The first thing I and most people notice when walking the holes for the first time is how incredibly wide the fairways are. Par 5's aren't overwhelming, getting par should be fairly easy for a 10. Any U.S. Open venue is going to be way harder than Augusta

[@JoshOB21]

110 would be excellent

[@larrynance8134]

RICK I just played PGA WEST STADIUM COURSE, hardest course I’ve ever played, you should definitely come to California and play that course it would be so entertaining

[@jimiverson3085]

From the tournament tees? An 18 handicap wouldn't live long enough to finish the round, even if that player was a young person at the start.

[@simonparson9443]

Random Golf Club does the breaking series which I find very interesting. Unfortunately they never be able to test out that at Augusta national.

[@DavidColmans]

Right - they did Pebble and Pinehurst and Bethpage Black (I think) it's definitely a great look at 'what could be'

[@gazthegreat132]

Rick is a 18 handicap his the best person to ask🤫😜🤣

[@mickclarke5741]

James Wiltshire said so 😂😂

[@jamiecordingley3754]

100%

[@CoolSqueeze]

Rick is probably a 2 or 3 handicap. Seriously some of the bad rounds Rick plays where people comment "Rick is so bad", those same people would probably shoot 30 over par on those courses and they call themselves "12 handicappers". Yeah a 12 handicapper on your easy local course maybe lol.

[@gazthegreat132]

@@CoolSqueeze chill mate! It's a joke. I could only dream of being as good as Ric, and being a 18 handicapper🤣🤣🤣

[@CoolSqueeze]

​@@gazthegreat132 read my comment again. I understood you were joking, I was referring to the people who call Rick bad on his videos, which your comment reminded me of.

[@golffishhoskey]

Did Rick mention if he drove it well that day? hahaha! It's AWESOME to see just how far Rick has come over the years, keep it up Rick!

[@stevefowler2112]

I've never played Augusta but I've played Bay Hill and Sawgrass Stadium course in the summer when neither are setup for tournament play and I've played them both on the Monday after the Tournament and they are probably close to 5 to even 10 strokes more difficult in tournament setup with the rough thick and the greens rolling 12 or 13. I have heard second/third hand that Augusta is even more Jekyll and Hyde, that when the course is lush in the summer with warm air and the greens rolling at 9 or 10 and damp that it can -play pretty friendly if you choose the correct tees, white for mid/high handicapper (a 4 handicap.

[@anthonybeerbower5360]

not to promote another channel, but couldn't help but think Random Golfs series where they take various Handicap players and play courses in "tournament" condition. I think they have done TPC Sawgrass, Erin Hills, Pebble Beach. I think it does paly at the nerves a little as well with the cameras filming.

[@jonathandavies9451]

They should definitely do this. The world of running does it, in marathons and ultras. They're running the same course and are set off at the same time (in most cases!)

[@andrewcarter7503]

Don't forget your handicap is based on your best 8 of your last 20 rounds. I'm all over the place, scoring low 80s one round and high 90s the next. Only my good rounds count so my handicap is 18.3. At my absolute best, i might be around 100, average around 110 and on a bad day 120. My saving grace is I hit short but straight.

[@mglegacy012]

I think an 18 would struggle to break 130 if they had to hole out every putt. Not only are the greens quick and tricky, they’re massive with so many tiers. I think people would quickly change their mind about watching an 18 cap play at the masters after 2 or 3 holes. Watching someone shoot 140 might be the most boring thing I could imagine

[@TheflyingkiwiRC]

Best comment. Agree 100%. I'm an 8hc and would struggle to break 120 off the Pro tees.

[@ingramusic68]

No I'd love to watch that for frame of reference

[@veroman007]

This would be the same result on most of the prestigious tour event courses. Can you imagine the rough at the U.S. Open and the average golfer trying to deal with that?

[@ribusgan]

What're the slope and course ratings from different tees?

[@MrPolford]

Many years ago I played Winged Foot. On the first green, my host said “The greens here are quite fast”. I knocked an 8 foot putt 6 feet past. I was so intimidated by the greens I ended up shooting 109. I was a 14 at that time. Members tees, not the tips. The place was immaculate, perfect fairways and greens, but the slope and speed of the greens would take some serious getting used to. On a one off, an 18 would be lucky to break 110 at Augusta.

[@stuartwood5571]

Had a good friend who was an 8 hdcp play it and he shot 78. Said it was not real difficult. This was about 25 years ago and he said the course set up for members does not have super fast greens. Think he played it in Oct or Nov. not sure.

[@joeestrada1340]

I think you have to consider the course conditions. I'm slightly better than an 18, and I don't play any courses as flawless as Augusta. I'm used to hitting off dirt, rocks, divots, and pitch marks on the green. Haha. Bryson has even said it's easier putting on tour than at munis because of green conditions. With that said, I still struggle to break 100 because of wayward tee shots.

[@dg-wq4py]

Are you sure you wasn't on the par 3course Rick😂😂

[@sundarcg11]

Need to watch Random Golf Club breaking series, do exactly what Guy was theorising

[@robertadams7751]

18 handicap would do well to shoot 125; more likely would be 140 or higher.

[@AlwaysDoingSomething]

It's funny. Every year everyone says "it would be great to see a scratch, 9, 18 handicapper playing the course" and yet the PGA just ignores it. Maybe LIV will figure it out.

[@imhotepnixon]

RGC does this already

[@mosttwisniewski5476]

Liv playing at Augusta yeah like that will happen

[@stuartkane2786]

People watch liv golf 😂😂😂

[@0verPar]

They might do it on a different day but definitely won't be at LIV given the shotgun starts

[@darthvader1402]

It should be a pro, a scrach, a 9 and an 18. I would watch it because I think that range many of us can relate to one of those levels.

[@martybruce]

I have played ANGC twice and the difference is massive between the 2 tee boxes (tournament and members). I can carry driver 290ish, and from the members tees, you can carry it over most of the trouble (holes 1,2,5,8,11,13,18). Holes 5, 11 and 18 and WAY shorter and easier from members tees. Rick said it was 8 shots more from the Tournament tees and I think that is about right, but the minimum number. Hitting a PW instead of a 5 iron into hole 11 is a different world.

[@user-vl7di3xr2u]

When I played, I was a member at Birkdale for over 20 years, and a single handicapper. Two or three days after the 1983 Open Championship, I went round, off the pro/tiger tees, and before they'd cut back all the rough to normal conditions. Back then I'd be looking to break 80 off the members tees. It was impossible, and I shot in the 90s. The average golfer has no idea of what a course looks like, when set up for the pros.

[@Slicktycoon]

I'm a 3 handicapper and I honestly don't think I could break 90 under tournament conditions. I would probably have to play the course at least 5 times before figuring out what to do...and maybe, just maybe, break 90. 😂

[@adamseidel9780]

Well if you’re a 3 you’re quite a bit better than Rick is so you’ve have a shot to break 80!

[@modawgblue]

Did he drive it well that day? Can't tell

[@imonlybleeding8021]

I'd love to see the results of an experiment like that. Most "18 handicappers" have never played a championship course under championship conditions. Many rarely play a full round counting every stroke under the rules of golf (most are taking gimmees, playing OB as a lateral hazard, etc). So, putting players like that on a course meant for a professional major, it's going to be like a totally different game. Simply adjusting to the speed of the greens and how much break to play would take at least half the round. Some might get lucky and shoot around 110, but most are easily going over 120.

[@Zxcvbueisn444]

I played an Open course off the Open tees when i was 5cp. My best round on normal tees was level par on this course. The difference was huge. It t was 5 iron or over every second shot. Actually most were 200 plus approaches. Was relentless and so hard. I gave up scoring after a while but would have been 90 plus. But to be fair you would adapt if this was the case. I would be better long iron player. I hardly use long irons normally

[@mitchfraser6897]

I wish we had courses of that calliper up here in Canada 😅 I’ve only been playing 2 years and roughly 18 hcp but honestly could the courses be so hard that 4 18s couldn’t break 90??? Up here the ball is hard to find dead centre of the fairways and you have to chip out of the fringe, but even with 3 drunk and stoned teammates- shooting above par on best ball basically never happens 😅

[@alexanderc.4654]

Good friend of mine got a business/golf trip back in the 90's. Was told "Don't ask questions, just go with it." Ends up at Augusta. Played twice, and understand, Mike was *good* for a none competition level amatuer. Was playing that year to a high 3 low 4. He didn't break 85 once. Correction- he *couldn't* break 85. It was nearly impossible. Said he had never been so happy to suck at golf.

[@GreenDistantStar]

IIRC, Bobby Jones said something like, Augusta was designed for it to be possible for an average player to have a fair round there.

[@TheflyingkiwiRC]

Off the front tees and not in April.

[@jerryledbetter1168]

Was talking with the guys in my golf group, and mentioned my fantasy to place a ball on the green, at Augusta, for eighteen holes and try to break 50. Having watched the Masters for years, I think 50 putts would be very difficult, and I’m a good putter. Love your videos. 🏌🏿‍♂️

[@MegaTimtheman]

I remember 2007 us open at Oakmont a player saying a 10 handicapper would shoot 105 because the course was so brutal

[@ek9589]

I could believe that oakmont is said to have the fastest greens in the world

[@skudinstein]

I really hope you address how painful the tv coverage for the masters is. After the Ryder cup and seeing some LIV events the 80 year old guys talking in the clubhouse for 20 minutes at a time is a rough pace.. plus poor shot coverage I’d be interested to hear your take on it. Love the content!!

[@autumnstar9475]

Just televise rick playing Augusta, same thing

[@corvette1023]

As an 18 handicapper Id rather watch the Pro’s play Sunday than play it by myself from the whites. Honestly, Im not good enough to enjoy playing the course. Id enjoy it more watching its greatness come alive on Sunday. As an American, Id rather play any of the courses Rick played on the water in Scotland…and then fly back to watch Tiger in red on Sunday.

[@boatymcboatface7161]

I'm a 12 and I got the opportunity to play Muirfield Village a few years back. I actually hit the ball pretty well, but scoring was impossible. I played good and shot 104.

[@krishall4861]

I’m glad Rick mentioned the greens / short game because I think you could drive brilliantly and still shoot 100+ round there because of the greens.

[@KristianYeager]

I think I’m capable of a 75-76, but I’ll probably be grinding to break 90 at Augusta if I ever got to play it

[@LukaVieira]

As an 18hcp, with a fade, I think it’s be a horrible day out at Augusta, would easy shoot 110, it just looks so narrow, I think my putting would be good enough and chipping okay, but driver and long irons/woods would be disastrous, it’s just too tight

[@fiddlemywhat6056]

See, the question has always been what would X handicap shoot at Augusta.. But do those people get a caddie? what about Marshals on every hole looking for their ball and marking it? Do they get the same amount of practice rounds as the pro's do during the week?

[@jessepolston3760]

I think it would be cool if the pga did let a 2some play 18 before the pros went out. Just on the first day. Have a raffle for the clubs members, and make them abide by all the rules and put it up on the score board.

[@jeffthompson7440]

I remember Peter Alice saying that a 10 handicapper wouldn't break 100.

[@rufussthoo4083]

Arccos data suggests a 5 handicapper would shoot around 8-10 over ... for just 3 holes at Amen Corner, under tournament conditions 😯. If that's the case, as a 10 handicapper, I'm aiming to break 110 and if I do, walk away feeling I'd played really well.

[@raventalks2776]

I wonder if Rick drove the ball well at Augusta?

[@A1BASE]

Find somewhere to play this course in a sim and set the green speed to very fast. It’ll show you just how impossible Masters conditions greens are for normal golfers…. You go a couple of feet past of a couple of feet short on a putt (something 18 handicappers regularly do) and you’re OFF THE GREEN. The tee shots from the whites isn’t the issue (even if you’re driving very well! 😂)…. It’s the approach play and putting that will add 60 to your score as an average golfer.

[@deegeeess49]

One thing that we bogey golfers don't often do is count all shots on a bad hole. We take twice-par and pick it up. Counting all strokes, breaking 100 would be an occasion to break out the party hats!

[@billmeatfirewhisky2780]

Has Rick played Augusta¿ never come up before 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@Slim.Swainy]

How did Rick drive it, I missed when he said it

[@garygary6729]

I think Rick was being generous at Breaking 110, I know he said he drove it really well but that’s about 25% of the job at Augusta, the greens are crazy slick, even a good putter would struggle not to 3-Putt 50% of the greens, I’d say a average 18 handicapper would shoot double there handicap on a good day there

[@carlosGarcia-xl1ql]

I am sure I would break 100…. On the front 9.. My dream would be to get a birdie and a par at Augusta. I am sure bogeys and the other big numbers will be easy to attain.

[@stevewiley8409]

For an 18 handicapper to play the tips at Augusta the par would be 90..no way an 18 handicapper can reach the par 4s and 5s in regulation... Add the fact that an 18 handicapper cant spin the ball nor can he read greens very well and his score would be 130 at best

[@danaves7619]

this sounds like a challenge...🤣

[@darkog8153]

For 18 hcp on Monday after Masters, 120 would be a phenomenal score. Probably not a par hole or one maybe, five bogeys, five doubles at best. Rest triples and much worse. Would probably give up on reading putts on back nine after horror putting on front nine.

[@jaimartin3110]

I’ve been playing golf for 2 years I’m a 18 handicap I would be happy if I shot anything under 110 at Augusta

[@lehbeltman]

With Masters fast greens? 150 or so

[@davebarlow1960]

we got there eventually

[@gordonwright996]

I'm a 17h and played Harding Park recently - a major venue but by no means Augusta - and shot a 98. I agree with Rick. No way I'd break 100. 110? Maybe

[@paulgolfer]

Paul here , this depends on the type of player age ? I am a 15 handicap and the slope course etc would probably give me 20 about 90. Age 66

[@happygster922]

I think depending on the pin locations, an 18 hdcp would still be putting on 1.

[@ajfatca]

never going to be an issue, I am not a PGA pro or filthy rich

[@jimmyculp8756]

Ask Rick!

[@m444ss]

Not only would 18 handicappers not break 100, but most amateur golfers (if they follow the rules) would find it takes them 5-6 hours to finish. I'd love to be at Augusta National, but I'm sure I'd hate playing the course - maybe it'd be okay in a scramble with a couple single-digit handicappers.

[@OSD_Chicago]

I'm a 13 handicap. Under tournament conditions I'd probably add half a stroke per hole because of length and difficulty. The big problem would be putting and the speed of the greens. Add a putt a hole. Add 27 shots to a typical 88 score = 115. 4 18-handicappers playing best ball MIGHT break 100.

[@antonyhawkridge3237]

Nope I played a pga course in the UK, off championship tees, I'm 250-260 off the tee, 4 handicap, 5 holes I didn't reach the fairway, shot 89. 17 over par , finish in the top 9..

[@mickclarke5741]

Rick is a 18 Handicapper! According to JW 😂

[@chrissygoncarsbikes7872]

I totally agree no 18 handicapper breaks 100. Remember, an 18 handicapper is regularly shooting 95 on their own course.

[@user-im7cj8xv1u]

Tony Jacklin said many years ago when it was a lot shorter that a scratch golfer would not break 100. It must be getting easier!!

[@purcilas]

Rick… why you trying to scare me at 5:18

[@randygibsongolf4618]

Even Tiger talks about how important course management is there. Its one of the reason Bryson Dechambeau struggles there....Your average golfer would not be able to hold the greens.

[@whyme5410]

Why does Bryson struggle there?😂

[@Hornihorse456]

I have consistently been playing off 18. With no rough I would fancy my chances breaking 100. On a pristine course like Augusta

[@TheflyingkiwiRC]

Mate you're dreaming.

[@MUFCHuggy]

Does anyone know how rick was driving the ball at Augusta?

[@paulmcgee1867]

Very well 😂

[@pudgydaddy]

The PGA should get a group of average golfers out before EVERY tournament to show how the courses play. That would be very eye-opening to the rest of us. It's so hard to know just watching the pros' scores.

[@robinaboy]

I wholeheartedly support this idea. Would really allow weekend warriors to better relate to how hard pro golf, let alone Augusta - is.

[@robertlee6949]

Bring a couple dozen balls and quite keeping score after 9. Just enjoy the experience! Any PGA course will kick your butt....

[@TheCulpritsock]

Would love to know how well Rick drove that day.

[@ek9589]

Legends say it was really good

[@davidbrock6263]

As an 18, I quit playing expensive/difficult courses many years ago. Paying several hundred$ to shoot 110-120 was never enjoyable.

[@jazzehentner4548]

Idk let's go find out

[@sammyw5136]

I think it's more like an 18 hcp would be lucky to break 126, which is averaging a +3 on every hole. Like Rick said, there'd be a number of 8's and 9's and 10's on the hole that averaging a +3 for the whole round would be insanely difficult for an 18 hcp.

[@peterfrank9731]

Let me try😂

[@johnhamilton570]

I think Rick drove it well that day😂 18 handicapper could have 100 putts

[@ek9589]

I feel like if I played the appropriate tees I could break 100 as a 12 handicapper but I also play on a course where greens can roll 12-13 so I’d be used to the speed

[@AlastairBarker]

YOU WOULDNT BREAK 100 AT AUGUSTA FFS WHAT PLANET ARE YOU ON?

[@ek9589]

@@AlastairBarker I’d need to play from like 6000 yards and have a good caddie but I could if I was on. At least break 105. I learned to putt and play at a top D1 college course where the greens get pga level fast so I wouldn’t have the huge adjustment to speed most amateurs would. If I didn’t have that experience I’d be screwed.

[@jakehmckernan1]

Just ask Rick

[@mrjackiemoua]

18 hcp. Shoots 105-115 depending on shortgame

[@homeofinventions]

120

[@homeofinventions]

If they played well.

[@Mayowillpep]

I’m sure Rick if you played it we would all know 😂😂

[@AbadaWeeeeeeee]

Think how cool an Augusta lottery 4 some per year would be? Ask the question Rick so we can bring this into existence

[@TOMVUTHEPIMP]

Huh? I've played Augusta and shot 94 pretty easy and Im 16 handicap. Not from "tournament tees" though.

[@jamescampbell9533]

Seen many of these about Augusta but it’s certainly not the hardest course in the country.

[@Bonelesswatrmelon1]

Think the rough would be a huge issue for 18+ handicaps. Putting is hard no matter what

[@jamiecordingley3754]

I wonder how he drove the ball that day?

[@Zxcvbueisn444]

May as well read what would Rick shoot at Augusta 😂