AUGUSTA, Ga. – For Chris Gotterup, the invitation to Augusta National Golf Club last year felt…wrong. He was in town for the Masters, a rising star in the golf world, but declined the opportunity to play the hallowed grounds. It didn’t feel earned. He wanted to experience Augusta as a competitor, not a guest. That patience, and a surge in his game, finally paid off. Last week, Gotterup walked the fairways of Augusta National alongside his father and brother, a preview of the course he’ll compete on during the Masters Tournament in April.
The experience, he discovered, was about more than just playing a legendary course. It was about navigating the unique protocols of a club steeped in tradition, and understanding how even a professional golfer needs a little help to secure a tee time. The story of how Gotterup finally got to play Augusta National, and what he learned in the process, offers a glimpse into the exclusive world of the club and the realities of preparing for the biggest tournament in golf.
Gotterup’s journey to Augusta National began with a string of impressive wins. He’d previously turned down invitations to play the course, stating he wanted to earn his way onto the grounds as a competitor. “They’d ask if I wanted to go over and I would say no because I didn’t want to go on property until I played for real,” he said at Pebble Beach last month, as reported by multiple sources. Now, with tournament victories under his belt, he was ready to experience Augusta National in a new light.
The Augusta Tee Time: A Member’s Privilege
The first hurdle, Gotterup found, wasn’t mastering the course, but simply getting a tee time. “I had someone help me with that, but I had talked to the pro and we got it all sorted,” he explained on Tuesday ahead of the Arnold Palmer Invitational. The key, he learned, is a member. Augusta National’s rules dictate that guests must play with a member of the club. “So you just have to find someone that’s willing to take you and spend the day,” Gotterup said.
This system of member-sponsored play underscores the exclusivity of Augusta National. As Golf.com reported, even past Masters champions aren’t guaranteed unrestricted access, a point Gary Player has publicly voiced his frustration about. For Gotterup, however, the process was surprisingly smooth. He was connected with a member, and the group was able to tour the course, play both the main course and the par-3 course, and experience the full scope of Augusta National’s offerings.
First Impressions: Tight Fairways and Dramatic Slopes
Beyond the logistics, Gotterup was struck by the course itself. He noted that television doesn’t fully capture the nuances of Augusta National. “The biggest surprise, he said, was just how tight the chute is off the 18th tee,” he said. “Much tighter than TV gives it credit for.” He similarly observed that the slopes, particularly on the greens, are far more dramatic in person. “The first green, he said, was “much more severe” than he’d seen on TV. “You have obviously a tough tee ball and then you have to hit a good second shot to be able to get it in the right section,” he explained.
The par-5 second hole also presented a different perspective than what’s shown on television. During tournament play, the green is surrounded by spectators, but during member play, it sits in a vast expanse of green. “Two green is so wild looking because it looks so massive on TV and obviously the framing of all the people behind [it],” he said. “[This time] it was just like, the green’s just thrown in — in perfect grass obviously. So it looked much smaller and different.”
A Favorite Hole and a Pro Shop Visit
Surprisingly, Gotterup’s favorite hole wasn’t one of the iconic, heavily-featured locations like the 13th or 18th. “I think 7 for me was like — it’s just so simple, but you just have to hit a good tee ball and you have to hit the right shot coming into the green,” he said. “Just visually when you step on the tee box you’re like, wow, this hole is really cool looking. I think, just because you see all the other ones all the time and all the shots on 13, 18, 12, and I think that’s one of the holes that maybe gets slept on. That was one of my favorites.”
The visit wasn’t solely about golf. Gotterup also made time to explore the famed Augusta National pro shop, purchasing gifts for his family – hats for his brother and father, and something special for his mother, sister, and girlfriend. He also picked up a few smaller items, “Playing cards and stuff, just little things like that.”
Preparing for the Masters: A Fader’s Challenge
Gotterup, currently ranked No. 6 in the world, is a natural fader of the golf ball. He acknowledged that Augusta National traditionally favors a draw, particularly on holes 2, 10, and 13. “A couple [tee shots], like hole 2 wouldn’t be a hole that suits my eye, preferably hitting a cut. So that’s something that I’ll touch on when I’m playing practice rounds or something fun beforehand.” He plans to adjust his practice accordingly, preparing for the unique challenges the course presents.
The visit to Augusta National is just one step in Gotterup’s preparation for the Masters. He’s also competing this week at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, continuing his impressive run after climbing from outside the top 200 in the world last year. He acknowledged the significance of both events, stating, “Forget Augusta National. Just being at Bay Hill is a dream come true.”
Gotterup’s first experience at Augusta National, shared with his father and brother, was a deeply personal one. “Everyone in the world of golf would love to go play a round there, but obviously to be able to have the build-up into the Masters is awesome,” he said. “To be able to share that, my brother and my dad had never played either, so to be able to go down there with them and share that whole experience was really cool.”
As Gotterup prepares for his Masters debut, he’ll carry with him not only the memories of his recent visit but also a deeper understanding of the course and the traditions that make Augusta National so special. The next step for Gotterup is his performance at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, and then, all eyes will be on him as he tees off at the Masters in April.
What are your thoughts on Gotterup’s chances at the Masters? Share your predictions and comments below.
