Making his Masters debut at Augusta National, PGA Tour winner, Talor Gooch, endured a slightly embarrassing moment when, whilst putting on the practice green on Saturday afternoon, he was informed by the co-head pro J.J. Weaver, that he wasn't allowed to wear shorts on the course or indeed any of the facilities at Augusta National.
Gooch, who claimed the RSM Classic in November 2021 to qualify for the event, had been putting for around 15 minutes before Weaver came over and informed him. Thankfully, only a few moments later, a pair of black rain trousers arrived, which Gooch put over his shorts to continue his practice.
Gooch's best finish at a Major came at the 2021 Open Championship, where he finished tied-33rd
The incident, which was reported by David Westin, a writer at The Augusta Chronicle, then stated that the shorts rule is not just for Masters Tournament participants like Gooch, but members and their guests, as well. The rule even carries over to the volunteer day held in May.
Along with the ban on shorts, Augusta National also has a number of rules that must be followed. These include a complete ban on mobile phones, running and wearing a cap backwards.
Patrons line the 16th hole during a practice round prior to the start of the 2018 Masters Tournament
Whether Gooch forgot, or didn't know about the rule of no shorts at Augusta National, we can't be too sure. However, on the PGA Tour at least, golfers are allowed to wear shorts during the practice rounds, with caddies also allowed to wear them during practice rounds and tournament rounds.
However, at the Masters, caddies must wear their white jumpsuits at all times on the course and practice area.
-
The Three Most Confusing Rules In Golf And How To Interpret ThemAt times, golf’s rules can be complex and confusing. Here we look at three of the most confusing rules in golf and give you the info you need to understand them.
-
There's A Growing Divide Between Club Members And Nomadic Golfers When It Comes To Handicapping... And I'm Concerned About ItSome golfers believe competition play should be a pre-requisite to achieving a ‘valid’ handicap, while others feel you should be able to submit a card whenever you want
-
Fresh Drone Images Show Progress Of Augusta National Clean-Up Operation Following Hurricane HelenePer photos via Eureka Earth on X, several holes at Augusta National appear very different to normal after damage to the course caused by Hurricane Helene
-
Asia-Pacific Amateur Champion Confirms He Will Give Up Major Starts In Favor Of Immediate DP World Tour ChanceChina's Wenyi Ding confirmed he will be leaving college and giving up starts at The Masters and The Open Championship in favor of immediately starting his pro career
-
'A Lot Of Damage' To Augusta National But Masters Expected To Be Held As PlannedAugusta National chairman Fred Ridley says The Masters will be staged on time despite extensive damage to the course caused by Hurricane Helene
-
This Much-Loved Masters Feature Just Made Its Full LIV Golf DebutThe 'Any Shot, Any Time' feature officially launched on the LIV Golf app in Andalucia as Sergio Garcia claimed victory at Valderrama
-
Are Masters Champions Exempt For Life?Winning the Masters comes with a lifetime exemption to future tournaments
-
The Amateur Playing In His Seventh Major And Third Masters This WeekCareer amateur Stewart Hagestad has made it back to Augusta National after another US Mid-Am victory
-
Scheffler The New Tiger? Time For Woods To Say Goodbye? 10 Takeaways From The 2024 MastersWe highlight ten of the key stories to come from the 88th edition of the Masters
-
Tommy Fleetwood Banks Huge Sum For Local Augusta Caddie After Englishman's Best Masters ResultGray Moore is a former Augusta National caddie master who was helping Fleetwood out after his regular caddie Ian Finnis was forced to stay home
