AUGUSTA, Ga. — As I neared rain-soaked Augusta National at around 1 p.m. Monday, I drove into what I would call the most organized traffic jam I have ever seen.
What could have been 90 minutes of teeth-gnashing turned into a wholly tolerable 15-minute delay. Everything about Augusta National and the community that houses the historic club is as dialed as a Scottie Scheffler 8-iron. On what is my first trip here, I’m in awe of the operation — and I still haven’t even been on property!
Bad weather may have closed the course and forced patrons to a late lunch or a handshake at Hooters with John Daly, but the Tour trucks just outside the main entrance were still open for business. When I popped by to say hello, here’s what I observed.
What happens on Tour trucks during a rainout?
There are a few different things that happen on these days, either independently or at the same time.
The reps play catch-up: Pros may drop in for re-grips, loft and lie adjustments, new wedge builds and maybe even to grab a new club to test (it’s a major so that’s rare) — but that’s about it. Generally, these days are quiet; rainouts can sometimes be a nice reset for the reps to take a breath, whereas regular major days often mean an onslaught of players visiting the trucks for tweaks and tune ups (sometimes placebos, other times not).
Food, music and conversation: Yes, there is some fun to be had as well. In the Callaway truck on Monday, Tour rep Johnny Thompson created a new Masters sandwich by mashing together a chicken breast sandwich and a Masters club. He called his concoction a “Masters Cordon Bleu.”
In many cases, staff will pop in and just hang out while their sticks are being worked on.
Akshay Bhatia and Max Greyserman are regular visitors in situations like this.
Video games and horror films: Some trucks are equipped with game kits attached to 60-inch flat screens, and it’s not uncommon for battles between reps and players to break out. I’ve seen more than a few NBA2K rumbles on the Ping truck. Movies will also sometimes override Golf Central; the genre of choice is usually a good old-fashioned horror flick.
Here’s the thing at the majors: they’re unlike any other week in the trucks, too. These weeks are not your normal fit, build and test free-for-all. They’re for the finest of fine-tuning. If you set foot on Augusta National Monday morning unsure if the clubs in your bag are dialed…you’re going to have a long week.
The reps grind it out in the weeks before majors to ensure their players’ gear is locked in. So, when it does rain and the work is done…Halloween 4 it is!
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