Photo by Lo Sarno on Unsplash Statistical analysis of amateur golf performance consistently reveals a counterintuitive finding: distance control errors on approach shots cost recreational golfers more strokes than directional errors, even though most golfers practice and worry about direction far more. The Statistical Pattern Shot-tracking data from systems used across recreational and competitive golf shows that amateur golfers are typically far more likely to miss an approach shot short or long of their intended distance than they are to miss significantly left or right of their intended line. A shot that's 15 yards short or long frequently finds trouble — a bunker, water, or simply a much longer subsequent putt — in a way that a shot 10 yards left or right of the pin, but still on the green, does not. Why This Happens Directional misses are usually caused by face-to-path errors, covered in our ball flight laws article , which tend to be relatively consistent for an individual g...
Cut the cord years ago and wondering how to catch all four rounds of the 2026 Masters? Good news: you have more options than ever. The tournament's broadcast rights are split across ESPN, CBS, Amazon Prime Video, and Masters.com — and most of these are accessible without a traditional cable subscription. Here's the complete cord-cutter's guide to watching the Masters.
The Channels You Need
To watch every minute of the 2026 Masters broadcasts, you need access to: ESPN (Thursday and Friday, 3–7:30 PM ET), CBS (Saturday and Sunday, 2–7 PM ET), and Amazon Prime Video (Thursday and Friday early coverage, 1–3 PM ET). The Masters.com and Masters App free streams supplement everything.
Live TV Streaming Services
These are cable replacement services that carry live channels over the internet — no cable box, no contract, cancel anytime.
YouTube TV (~$73/month): Carries ESPN, CBS, Golf Channel, and most major networks. Includes unlimited DVR storage so you can record rounds and watch later. The most comprehensive option for full Masters coverage including Golf Channel daily studio shows.
Hulu + Live TV (~$77/month): Carries ESPN, CBS, Golf Channel. Comes bundled with Disney+ and ESPN+ which gives you access to additional Masters streaming content. Similar coverage to YouTube TV.
FuboTV (~$80/month): Carries ESPN, CBS, Golf Channel. Sports-focused streaming service with a strong channel lineup. Free trial available — you could theoretically sign up for the free trial, watch the Masters, and cancel.
Sling TV Blue (~$45/month): The cheapest option that includes Golf Channel and ESPN. CBS availability varies by market with Sling — check your ZIP code before subscribing. This is the budget-conscious cord-cutter's best bet.
DirecTV Stream (~$60+/month): Carries all required channels including Golf Channel. Also offers Featured Groups and Featured Holes coverage integration.
Amazon Prime Video
Prime Video carries the Thursday and Friday early coverage (1–3 PM ET) as part of a regular Prime membership. If you already pay for Amazon Prime for the shipping benefits, this costs you nothing extra and covers the early afternoon window before ESPN's main broadcast begins.
ESPN+ as a Standalone
ESPN+ ($10.99/month or part of the Disney Bundle at ~$14/month) gives you access to PGA Tour Live features and some extended Masters coverage, but does not include the main ESPN broadcast of the tournament rounds. For the main broadcast on ESPN, you need a live TV streaming service or cable.
Paramount+ for Saturday and Sunday Early Coverage
The Saturday and Sunday 12–2 PM ET early coverage airs on Paramount+. A basic Paramount+ Essential plan starts at $7.99/month. If you want the early window covered on the weekend, this is the cheapest add-on option.
The Cord-Cutter's Recommended Setup
For complete Masters coverage without cable: Sling TV Blue or YouTube TV for ESPN and CBS. Amazon Prime Video if you're already a member. The free Masters App for Featured Groups and Amen Corner. Paramount+ if you want the Saturday/Sunday early windows. Total cost if you don't already have any of these: $45–$73/month for one month, then cancel. Most services offer free trials — time your trial strategically around the tournament week to minimize cost.
One More Option: A Friend's House
CBS on Saturday and Sunday is available free over any antenna. If you have a friend or family member with cable, the Masters on CBS is the easiest sports viewing experience there is — Augusta's azaleas in bloom, the best players in the world competing, Jim Nantz's voice calling the action. Sometimes the old-fashioned way is still the best.
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