The Augusta skip off is a golf tradition that takes place during the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. The skip off is a unique and exciting event that takes place on the 16th hole, a par-3 hole that features a large pond in front of the green. The tradition involves players attempting to skip their golf ball across the pond and onto the green.
While the skip off is not an official part of the Masters Tournament, it has become a beloved tradition among players and fans alike. The skip off is often featured in highlight reels and social media posts, and it has become a fun way for players to show off their skills and add some excitement to the tournament.
History of the Augusta Skip Off
The Augusta Skip Off is a beloved tradition at the Masters Tournament, where golfers attempt to skip their ball across the water on the 16th hole. This unique challenge has become a fan favorite, with spectators eagerly anticipating the moment when a golfer successfully skips their ball across the water and onto the green.
The origins of the Augusta Skip Off are somewhat unclear, but it is believed to have started in the late 1970s or early 1980s. According to Golfweek, there is a photo from a practice round in 1979 that shows Tom Kite skipping his ball across the pond on the 16th hole. However, it wasn’t until 1987 that the skip shot became a more widespread phenomenon.
Ken Green and Mark Calcavecchia are credited with popularizing the Augusta Skip Off during the 1987 Masters Tournament. The two golfers were practicing on the 16th hole when they decided to see if they could skip their balls across the water. They successfully completed the shot, and the rest is history.
Since then, the Augusta Skip Off has become a staple of the Masters Tournament. Golfers and fans alike look forward to the moment when a player attempts the skip shot, and the cheers that erupt when a ball successfully skips across the water are a testament to the joy and excitement that this tradition brings.
Rules of the Augusta Skip Off
The Augusta Skip Off is a fun tradition that takes place at the Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia. It involves golfers attempting to skip their golf balls across the water hazard on the 16th hole. Here are the rules of the Augusta Skip Off:
- Only players who have completed their round may participate in the Augusta Skip Off.
- The Augusta Skip Off takes place on the 16th hole of the Augusta National Golf Club.
- Each player gets one attempt to skip their ball across the water hazard.
- The ball must land on the green on the other side of the water hazard to count as a successful skip.
- If more than one player successfully skips their ball, the winner is determined by the ball that lands closest to the pin.
- The winner of the Augusta Skip Off receives a crystal vase as a prize.
It’s important to note that the Augusta Skip Off is purely for fun and has no impact on the actual tournament. Golfers are not required to participate and it is not an official part of the Masters Tournament.
Despite being a fun tradition, the Augusta National Golf Club takes the safety of its patrons and players very seriously. Therefore, golfers are not allowed to attempt the skip off during the actual tournament rounds. The Augusta Skip Off only takes place after the tournament has concluded.
How to Participate in the Augusta Skip Off
The Augusta skip off is a fun tradition that takes place during the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. If you want to participate in the skip off, here’s what you need to know:
- First, you need to be a player in the tournament. The skip off takes place on the 16th hole during the practice rounds, so you’ll need to qualify for the tournament and make it to the 16th hole during one of your practice rounds.
- Once you’re on the 16th hole, you’ll need to skip your ball across the pond and onto the green. The goal is to get your ball to skip as many times as possible before it reaches the other side.
- The skip off is not an official part of the tournament, so there are no prizes or awards for participating. It’s simply a fun way to show off your skills and entertain the crowds.
- It’s important to note that the skip off is not sanctioned by Augusta National Golf Club, and they do not endorse or encourage the practice. In fact, they have been known to discourage players from participating in the skip off in the past.
Overall, the skip off is a fun and lighthearted tradition that adds to the excitement of the Masters Tournament. If you’re lucky enough to qualify for the tournament and make it to the 16th hole during a practice round, give the skip off a try and see how many times you can get your ball to skip across the pond!
Famous Augusta Skip Off Moments
The Augusta skip off is a tradition that has become synonymous with the Masters Tournament. Over the years, many famous golfers have attempted the skip off, and some have even achieved a hole-in-one. Here are some of the most memorable moments:
- Lee Trevino (1987): Many believe that Trevino started the skip off tradition during a practice round in the mid-1980s. He famously skipped his ball across the pond on the 16th hole and onto the green, much to the delight of the crowd.
- Vijay Singh (2009): Singh skipped his ball across the pond on the 16th hole and onto the green during a practice round. To the amazement of onlookers, the ball rolled into the cup for a hole-in-one.
- Martin Kaymer (2012): Kaymer also achieved a hole-in-one during a practice round on the 16th hole. His ball skipped across the pond and onto the green before rolling into the cup.
- Jon Rahm (2020): During a practice round, Rahm skipped his ball across the pond on the 16th hole and onto the green. The ball rolled towards the hole and dropped in for a hole-in-one, much to the excitement of Rahm and the crowd.
These famous moments have helped to cement the skip off as a beloved tradition at the Masters Tournament. Golfers and fans alike look forward to seeing who will attempt the skip off each year and if anyone will achieve a hole-in-one.
Conclusion
Augusta skip off is a unique tradition that has been a part of the Masters Tournament since the late 1980s. It involves golfers hitting a ball across the pond on the 16th hole at Augusta National, attempting to make it skip across the water and onto the green. The skip off has become a popular spectacle for both players and fans alike.
While it is unclear who exactly started the tradition, it is widely believed to have been popularized by golfers Ken Green and Mark Calcavecchia. Since then, many of the game’s biggest names, including Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, have participated in the skip off.
Despite its popularity, the skip off is not without controversy. Some have criticized the tradition for being disrespectful to the game of golf, while others have raised concerns about the environmental impact of golf balls landing in the pond. Nevertheless, the skip off remains a beloved part of the Masters Tournament, and it is unlikely to go away anytime soon.
