“That is by design,” says Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee, when discussing the minutae of commentating on The Masters.
The former tour professional was on the Fore Play Podcast, this week, and revealed a list of words the Masters brass do not want to hear on live broadcasts.
Augusta National Golf Club has a particular set of rules and norms that it expects everyone that enters its’ gates to adhere to. For example, mobile phones are banned, out on the course, and wearing of shorts is not allowed.
Chamblee’s podcast appearance touched upon broadcast etiqeutte. He explained that legendary commentators like Jim Nantz and Vern Lundqvist are going for a ‘sitting on the front porch, sipping on sweet tea’ vibe. Less is more.
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As for words that those at Augusta National warn commentators off saying (or repeating), Chamblee revealed:
In terms of things you shouldn’t say, fan is a big one. In their eyes, fan is short for fanatical… that’s why you hear people say patron. You could probably say the word spectator.
“You don’t say driving range. It’s tournament practice facility… [and] if you said back nine on the air, you would probably get reprimanded. It’s the second nine.”
The other words on the banned list are sand trap and rough. The club wants commentators to refer to those as bunkers and second cut.
Broadcasters aren’t allowed to say “fan”, “driving range”, “back nine” & more on air at The Masters. pic.twitter.com/SaMWw2tLsJ
— Fore Play (@ForePlayPod) April 11, 2025
Masters bosses get their point across
As if to prove the point, Butch Harmon was speaking on Sky Sports, during the second round, when he referred to ‘the back nine’, only to correct himself and say second nine.
Brandel Chamblee added that ‘softer, slower, more reverant’ commentary is what the Masters brass prefer.
According to a source contacted by the New York Times, ‘there is no written sheet given to broadcasters, but producers and on-air talent know what Augusta National’s expectations are about how things will be described’.
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