Photo by Chiputt Golf on Unsplash Your wedges are the most used clubs in your bag from 120 yards in. Mid-handicap golfers — roughly 10 to 20 handicap — have typically developed enough control to start benefiting from dedicated wedge selection rather than relying on the pitching wedge that came with their iron set. The right set of wedges can transform your short game and drop three to five strokes per round. Here's how to choose them. Understanding Loft Gaps in Your Wedge Setup The goal of a wedge setup is consistent distance gaps between each club. Most mid-handicappers carry a pitching wedge (44–46°), a gap wedge (50–52°), a sand wedge (54–56°), and optionally a lob wedge (58–60°). The spacing should be even — roughly 4–6 degrees between each — so there are no awkward in-between distances where you're unsure what to hit. Start by checking the loft of your current pitching wedge (usually marked on the hosel or found in your set's specs online). Build your wedge set ou...
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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