And you’re likely to hear commentators mention this, when the heavens opens.
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But, the hi-tech SubAir system at the Masters makes puddles vanish in 30 seconds, so heavy downpour shouldn’t disrupt the action.
The underground system provides, “aeration, moisture removal and root zone temperature control in order to create an optimal subsurface growing environment for deep-rooted, resilient, healthy green grass.”
In English, it can remove rainfall from the playing surface and will make for dryer greens quicker than if they dried naturally.
And it’s just in wetter conditions where the SubAir system can be used.
When it’s dry, put the the system on pressure mode and it will deliver air to the roots below the greens to encourage growth.
How does it work?
A SubAir system can be installed into the existing drain system of a USGA specification green.
A vault with a blower unit installed at the greenside is set electronically to either moisture removal or pressure mode.
When there’s water to contend with, both water and air are sucked through the turf using the blower.
The water goes into the drainage system, and through the natural drain routes of the green. The air is sucked into the vault and above the ground.
Pressure modes sees the air pushed up through the soil to help growing conditions with aeration and temperature control.
It’s up to greenkeepers to keep the course in order.
History
The first Augusta green to receive the privilege of the SubAir system was the 12th – the most prone to flooding.
However, creator Marsh Benson who aided the installation noticed a marked improvement on the turf.
That meant it was installed all across the board.
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Now, 500 plus golf courses, including Congressional and TPC Sawgrass, now have SubAir systems.
However, they don’t come cheap.
At around £25,000 per green, including the expense of supplying power, golf clubs will have to put their hands in their pockets for it.