Photo by Kawê Rodrigues on Unsplash You've just sat through a 45-minute club fitting session, a fitter has handed you a report full of numbers and recommendations, and now you're staring at terms like "dynamic loft," "attack angle," and "smash factor" wondering what any of it means. At The Birdie Putt , we translate the most important metrics from a fitting report into plain language so you understand exactly what your numbers mean and how they should guide your club selection. Ball Speed and Smash Factor Ball speed is exactly what it sounds like: how fast the ball leaves the clubface, measured in miles per hour. This is the primary driver of distance. The average male amateur golfer produces ball speeds around 130–140 mph with a driver; professionals average 165–175 mph. Don't get discouraged by comparison — work to maximize your own ball speed through better contact. Smash factor is ball speed divided by clubhead speed. A perfect smash f...
Round 2 of the 2026 Masters is underway at Augusta National. Today is cut day — after 36 holes, only the top 50 players (and ties) advance to the weekend. Here is everything you need to watch Friday's second round live, what channel the Masters is on today, and where to stream it free.
What Channel Is the Masters On Today — Friday April 10
Amazon Prime Video: 1–3 PM ET — Round 2 early coverage. Free with Amazon Prime
ESPN: 3–7:30 PM ET — Main Round 2 broadcast. Cable, satellite, or live TV streaming service
ESPN2: 8–11 PM ET — Round 2 primetime replay
Full Friday Masters Live Stream Schedule (All Times ET)
8:30–10:30 AM: On the Range — Masters.com, Masters App, Paramount+
8:45 AM–3:30 PM: Featured Holes 4, 5 and 6 — Masters.com, Masters App, ESPN App
9:15 AM–7:30 PM: Featured Groups — Masters.com, Masters App, Paramount+, Prime Video, ESPN App, DirecTV
10:45 AM–6 PM: Amen Corner Live (holes 11, 12, 13) — Masters.com, Masters App, Paramount+, Prime Video, ESPN App, DirecTV
11:45 AM–7 PM: Featured Holes 15 and 16 — Masters.com, Masters App, Paramount+, Prime Video, ESPN App, DirecTV
1–3 PM: Round 2 Early Coverage — Amazon Prime Video
1–7:30 PM: Full Round 2 Stream — Masters.com, Masters App
3–7:30 PM: Round 2 Main Broadcast — ESPN
8 AM–3 PM: Live From the Masters — Golf Channel
7:30–9:30 PM: Live From the Masters post-round — Golf Channel
How to Watch Masters Round 2 Free Today
Masters.com and the Masters App give you free Featured Groups from 9:15 AM, free Amen Corner coverage from 10:45 AM, and the full round stream from 1–7:30 PM. Create a free account at Masters.com — no credit card needed. This covers the most compelling coverage of the day at zero cost.
Amazon Prime Video is free with any Amazon Prime membership and covers the 1–3 PM early window before ESPN's main broadcast begins.
The Cut: What to Watch for Today
The Masters has the most exclusive cut in major championship golf — only the top 50 players (and ties) after 36 holes advance to Saturday and Sunday. This is stricter than any other major. The cut line typically falls between 2-over and 5-over par depending on conditions.
As Friday afternoon develops, watch the cut line tracker on Masters.com. Players right on the bubble will be making aggressive decisions at Amen Corner and the par 5s trying to make birdies to secure their weekend. The drama of the cut on Friday afternoon is underrated Masters viewing — big names can and do miss, and watching the leaderboard shift in real time as afternoon groups come through is genuinely compelling golf.
54-Hole Leader Context
Players within five shots of the 36-hole leader have historically won The Masters in the vast majority of cases. By Friday evening you'll know exactly who is positioned for Sunday contention and who needs a miracle on moving day. The 36-hole leaderboard posted after today's round is your preview of Sunday's green jacket ceremony.
How to Stream Masters Round 2 on ESPN Without Cable
ESPN is available on all major live TV streaming services: YouTube TV ($73/month), Hulu + Live TV ($77/month), FuboTV ($80/month), Sling TV Blue ($45/month), and DirecTV Stream ($60+/month). Most offer free trials. The ESPN App on your phone or smart TV also carries the full broadcast if you have a streaming service login.
Tomorrow: Moving Day on CBS
Saturday switches to CBS with early coverage on Paramount+ from 12–2 PM ET and the main CBS broadcast from 2–7 PM. If you've been watching on ESPN this week, switch to CBS and Paramount+ tomorrow. Saturday at Augusta is when the tournament field separates decisively — the leaderboard after Saturday's round almost always defines Sunday's final group.
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