2 days Ago By Jack Cunningham
The Masters is unlike any other golf tournament in the world – with even the sand in bunkers unique.The world’s best golfers will battle it out at Augusta National for the right to wear the green jacket.The Masters is arguably the most iconic of all the golf majorsGettyThe course was on the receiving end of a battering during Hurricane Helene only a few months ago, but it’s looking great once more.
One of the key points of the course are the bunkers.The sand in them looks white rather than yellow, adding to the prestige and glamour of the event.However, as we all know, beauty comes at a cost.
How are the bunkers at Augusta so white?The bunkers at Augusta National have been filled with their iconic white substance for nearly 50 years.The Masters‘ co-founder Clifford Roberts discovered the look and introduced it in 1975, where it has been ever since.There are 44 bunkers on the course that are filled with spruce pine sand.
This type of sand is named after a mining district in North Carolina, and it isn’t actually sand.Instead, it’s pure quartz.The sand at Augusta is so white because it isn’t sandGettyThis quartz is a waste product from the mining process, but it makes a perfect addition to the bunkers for The Masters.
It is extremely pure and does prevent the golf ball from plugging – it also costs a lot.It is estimated that the quartz can cost as much as $20,000 per tonne, depending on how pure it is, and given there are 44 bunkers to fill, that is a lot of money.However, despite it looking brilliant and costing a lot, legend Jack Nicklaus wasn’t a fan.
He said: “The type of sand they had, I think it came from North Carolina, I’m sure the sand changed a little bit but remember Augusta sand is so heavy.“You almost have to hit a bunker shot twice as hard as you do any place else to get that thing out of it. And you can’t get any spin out of it.
They have changed that sand again. The sand at Augusta now is better than when I played. I never liked the sand at Augusta.
I thought it was really difficult.“If you want to spin the ball how you like to be able to. If you can’t spin the ball, that’s okay, just play the shot.
But when you get sand that looks like you can do it and nothing happens and the club just sticks and the ball just comes out [and dies]. You say, ‘man I am a better bunker player than that’. I think it’s the most difficult sand we play.
” The Masters 2025: How to followThe 2025 Masters Tournament will get going on Thursday, April 10. It will take place at the Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia and will be played over four days until Sunday, April 13.talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2 will have live coverage of all the action, with the event also set to be broadcast on Sky Sports in the UK.
To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream. You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.Read more on The MastersAll you need to know about 2025 Masters including talkSPORT coverageThe favourites for Masters glory this year as stars do battle at AugustaExclusive – Rory McIlroy’s secret experiment to again become the most dominant golfer in the worldSecurity guard almost ruined Tiger Woods’ legendary Masters win in moment of chaos‘Regret everything’ – I won Masters and spent 30 months in prison, now I’m back at AugustaGolf star popped ankle back in after gruesome Masters injury and still finished tenthTiger Woods’ iconic Masters triumph saw commentators fall silent after bold last-gasp decision‘Bothering me’ – Rory McIlroy battling injury in preparation for The MastersLatest odds – talkSPORT BET welcome offer – Get £20 in free bets*Hot deal – Upgrade your style this spring with up to 70% off Castore golf wear.
