A new survey reveals how much fans would sacrifice to play Augusta National, what they think they'd actually shoot, and whether The Masters can rival the Super Bowl.
With the azaleas about to bloom and Augusta National preparing to host the 2026 Masters Tournament, we surveyed 546 fans to find out what this tournament really means to them — and the results tell a story about devotion, self-awareness, and a whole lot of first-tee anxiety.
Here's what we found.
5.67% of Fans Would Trade Sex to Play Augusta National
We asked fans what they'd be willing to sacrifice for a single round at Augusta National. The most popular answer? Nothing at all — 42.1% said it simply wasn't worth it. But more than a quarter (27.5%) would gladly ditch social media for an entire year if it meant walking those fairways. Another 12.8% would give up their favorite food for a year, 7.5% would hand over a full month's salary, and 5.7% would go without sex for a year. Perhaps most telling: only 4.4% would sacrifice a promotion at work, suggesting most fans draw the line where their career is concerned.
For the 58% who would make a sacrifice, the willingness to give up social media stands out. In an era of digital dependence, trading a year of scrolling for 18 holes at Augusta National speaks volumes about the hold this course has on the golfing imagination.
One in Three Fans Would Lose Count of Their Score
Self-confidence was in short supply when we asked fans what they'd shoot at Augusta National. A full 32.2% admitted they'd simply lose count — the most popular response by far. Another 20.5% predicted they'd card a 120 or higher, and 17.6% estimated they'd land somewhere in the 100–120 range. Only 9.2% of respondents were bold enough to claim they'd break 80.
Given that Augusta National consistently ranks among the toughest courses on tour — where even professionals routinely post rounds in the mid-to-high 70s — the fans' humility seems well-placed. The course's undulating greens, Amen Corner, and elevation changes make it a beast even for scratch golfers.
First-Tee Jitters Are Real
The famous first tee at Augusta National is one of golf's most iconic starting points, and our respondents were refreshingly honest about how they'd handle the pressure. Over a fifth (21.6%) said they'd whiff entirely, and another 11.9% confessed they'd be too nervous to even swing. The most common answer was a modest 100–175 yards (26.4%), while only 4.4% claimed they'd launch it 250 yards or more.
Combined, a full third of fans (33.5%) believe they wouldn't even make contact or wouldn't have the nerve to try — a stat that speaks to the unique pressure of Augusta National's first tee, with its gallery, its history, and the weight of the Green Jacket tradition looming over every swing.
The Super Bowl Still Wins — But It's Closer Than You'd Think
When forced to choose between attending The Masters or the Super Bowl, 61.9% picked the Super Bowl. But the fact that 38.1% chose a golf tournament over America's biggest sporting event is a remarkable testament to The Masters' cultural status. For context, the Super Bowl draws 100+ million viewers annually compared to The Masters' roughly 13–15 million. Yet more than a third of fans would rather soak in the pines and patrons at Augusta National.
Rory McIlroy Is the People's Favorite — and Phil Mickelson Edges the World #1
If fans could carry the bag for any golfer at this year's Masters, Rory McIlroy was the runaway choice at 36.3% — cementing his status as the people's favorite. The Northern Irishman's combination of talent, charisma, and career Grand Slam has made him the golfer fans most want to be close to on the course.
But the real storyline may be further down the leaderboard. Phil Mickelson came in second at 28.6%, narrowly edging world number one Scottie Scheffler at 28.0%. That's notable: despite Mickelson's controversial departure to LIV Golf — a move that drew widespread criticism from fans and players alike — he still outpolls the top-ranked player in the world. Lefty's popularity, it seems, is bulletproof. Fan favorite Fred Couples, the 1992 champion, earned a loyal 7.1%.
The Phil-Scottie gap is slim but significant. It suggests that legacy, personality, and Masters history still matter more to fans than current rankings — and that LIV Golf hasn't cost Mickelson his place in the hearts of the Augusta National faithful.
The Green Jacket Reigns Supreme
When it comes to favorite traditions, the Green Jacket ceremony dominated at 43.4%. The Champions Dinner took second at 18.1%, followed by the drama of Amen Corner (13.6%), the beauty of the azalea-lined fairways (13.2%), and the Par 3 Contest (11.7%).
The Green Jacket's dominance isn't surprising — it's arguably the most recognizable trophy presentation in all of sports. But the Champions Dinner's second-place finish is notable. The private dinner where the defending champion selects the menu has become a source of fascination and annual speculation among fans.
Most Fans Won't Pay Resale Prices
More than half of respondents (55.1%) said they'd pay less than $500 for a single-day badge, and another 29.1% would go up to $1,000. Only 4.7% would pay more than $2,000. This is notable because face-value daily badges are just $150, but secondary market prices routinely climb above $5,000. The gap between what fans are willing to pay and what the market demands highlights the extreme exclusivity of the event — and why most fans experience The Masters through a screen rather than in person.
38% Admit to Watching at Work
Finally, we asked the question every golf fan's boss wants answered: Do you watch The Masters while at work? More than a third (38.1%) confessed that they do. With the tournament falling on a Thursday-through-Sunday schedule, the first two rounds coincide with the workweek — and it appears a significant chunk of the workforce treats those afternoons as unofficial half-days.
Methodology
546 U.S. adults were surveyed online in March 2026. Responses were collected via an open survey form. Results have not been weighted and are presented as collected.
For the full dataset, media inquiries, or interview requests, contact james@ontheboxgolf.com.
James Hirchak
Founder, On The Box
Fantasy golf strategist and builder of On The Box. When not analyzing OWGR data, you'll find him chasing bogey golf and arguing about course architecture.
