Former Masters champion bemoans course conditions: “You’re not supposed to talk about it”

Jordan Spieth has always been outspoken, but this time, he’s taking aim at Augusta’s hidden challenge. The question is: why isn’t anyone else talking about it?

Jordan Spieth has always been outspoken, but this time, he’s made the bold step of taking aim at Augusta. The question is: why isn’t anyone else talking about it?

Augusta National is so pristine it looks like a video game. The fairways are flawless. The flowers bloom like clockwork. The bunkers are so immaculate they don’t even use sand to fill them.

But Jordan Spieth just reminded everyone: even Augusta has a dirty secret.

After a bogey-free 69 on Saturday, the 2015 Masters champion didn’t complain about the greens, the wind, or the lack of trees following hurricane damage. Instead, the 31-year-old Texan took umbrage with something you’re not supposed to mention: mud balls.

Spieth: “75% of your drives” can be mud balls

Spieth went on to explain that mud balls can affect three-quarters of a player’s drives at Augusta.

“Look, it’s mowed into the grain. The ball is digging in on every shot. A lot of times you have it on 75 percent of your drives.”

Spieth believes mud balls affect the entire field, although golfers with a flatter trajectory are likely to suffer less than players who hit the ball high.

“I think it’s just kind of random. Obviously the lower you hit it, the less chance. But every person is having to deal with it. But the fact that you’re not supposed to talk about it is a bit frustrating because it is a difference-maker. It can be a difference-maker in scores on some holes.”

The worst holes for mud balls? Augusta’s most crucial ones

Spieth says the mud ball issue shows up on holes 11, 13, and 15. You know, the ones that make or break Masters Sunday.

“I’m surprised on 11, but you’ll get them on 13 and 15 a lot, and it’s like, ‘All right, well, here we go.'”

On a course that punishes tiny misses with bogeys or worse, randomness from mud is the last thing anyone wants. Especially when you’re standing over a shot that could make or break your week.

“If you’re on the wrong side of the hole you’re either in the water or you almost can’t make par, depending on what hole it is.”

Spieth breaking an unwritten rule at Augusta

You won’t find it in any media guide or player handbook, but Augusta has its own code – and calling out course conditions, especially something like mud, isn’t the done thing.

Spieth knows it. But he feels it’s important enough to say it anyway.

“Every person is having to deal with it, but the fact that you’re not supposed to talk about it is a bit frustrating because it is a difference maker. It can be a difference maker in scores on some holes. It’s something to pay attention to for sure for leader groups.”

Is Augusta stuck in the mud?

Augusta has tried to solve the mud issue – using sand-capped fairways and careful maintenance – but according to Spieth, the problem persists, especially after rain.

“They’ve done a better job – there’s less than normal – but I still had them today on those holes. I had them yesterday on those holes. I’m expecting it a lot out here. Look, it’s mowed into the grain.

“But at the same time with the sand capping that’s been done, I think it’s pretty much there where they’ve taken care of it completely, and obviously Mother Nature plays a role.”

Why the mud matters

Mud balls mess with spin, launch, direction – everything. And when they show up on holes where inches separate success from disaster, they can influence who wears the Green Jacket.

Golf fans watch Augusta expecting beauty, drama, and perfection. But, according to Spieth, there’s an unpredictable and unwanted X-factor beneath all that green grass, white sand, and floral polish.