TV broadcasters for the Masters are 'forbidden' from using five phrases while commentating at Augusta

The Georgia sun is shining. The Masters is underway. The Augusta National Golf Club is resplendent. It can only be the first major of the golfing year.

The Masters is a beloved landmark of the sporting calendar and working on its television broadcasts as a commentator or pundit is a professional pinnacle few can achieve in a lifetime.

But the broadcasters beavering away at Augusta this weekend are subject to the highly specific rules of the Masters, both written and conventional, including a surprising list of words and phrases considered off limits.

In a recent appearance on a Barstool Sports golf podcast, Golf Channel TV analyst Brandel Chamblee shone a light on the unwritten rules around what they can and can't say while calling the action at the Masters.

As well as the rather obvious understanding that competitive event sponsors shouldn't be mentioned under any circumstances, the Augusta National expects broadcasters to avoid certain phrases, including but not limited to these five rather ordinary terms:

Fan – Masters attendees are not fans. 'Patron' is the Augusta-friendly alternative, as anyone who's been watching the early action in this year's Masters will have noticed.

Rough – At Augusta? How dare you? That's simply the 'second cut', if you don't mind.

Sand trap – Don't be so uncouth. When it's Augusta sand, it's a 'bunker'.

Driving range – Surely you mean the 'tournament practice facility'?

Back nine – That's the 'second nine' at Augusta.

The hallowed sand of the golf course

"'Back nine' is such a standard part of golf vernacular that it feels like Augusta National is just trying to make a point about how much they can get TV announcers to bend," posits Dan Shanoff.

According to Richard Deitsch, Shanoff's colleague at The Athletic, these customary restrictions are not a matter of official policy.

"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," Shanoff confirms.

The 2025 Masters has already seen some transgressions, most notably involving US Amateur Open champion Jose Ballester and his controversially dressed coach, Matt Thurmond.

England's Justin Rose topped the leaderboard after Thursday's opening round.