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...
Round 1 of the 2026 Masters is here. The first competitive shots of the 90th Masters Tournament are being hit at Augusta National Golf Club right now. Here is every way to watch, stream, or follow Thursday's first round live — including free options, what channel it's on, and the full day schedule.
What Channel Is the Masters On Today — Thursday April 9
Amazon Prime Video: 1–3 PM ET — Early round coverage. Free with Amazon Prime membership
ESPN: 3–7:30 PM ET — Main Round 1 broadcast. On cable, satellite, or any live TV streaming service
ESPN2: 8–11 PM ET — Primetime replay of Round 1
Full Thursday 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 1 Early Coverage — Amazon Prime Video
1–7:30 PM: Full Round 1 Stream — Masters.com, Masters App
3–7:30 PM: Round 1 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 1 Free Today
Masters.com and the Masters App are your best free options. Create a free account at Masters.com and you get Featured Groups all day, Amen Corner live from 10:45 AM, holes 15 and 16, and the full round stream from 1–7:30 PM. This is genuinely comprehensive free coverage — you can follow every group on the course without paying a cent.
Amazon Prime Video carries the 1–3 PM early window free with any Amazon Prime membership. If you pay for Amazon Prime already, this costs you nothing. It's a new addition for 2026 and it's excellent early afternoon coverage.
CBS over the air (antenna) — not today, that's Saturday and Sunday. Today is ESPN.
How to Watch Masters Round 1 on ESPN Without Cable
ESPN is available without cable on: YouTube TV ($73/month), Hulu + Live TV ($77/month), FuboTV ($80/month), Sling TV Blue ($45/month), and DirecTV Stream ($60+/month). All offer free trials — if you're not currently subscribed to any of them, sign up for a free trial today to catch Round 1 and cancel when the tournament ends if you choose.
Masters App: The Best Way to Follow Today
Even if you're watching ESPN on TV, download the Masters App on your phone. It gives you Featured Groups so you can follow specific players all day, Amen Corner live camera, live scoring with shot-by-shot tracking, and the My Group feature to track your favorites. It's free and transforms a passive viewing experience into an active one.
Honorary Starters: Watch Free at 7:30 AM
The Honorary Starters ceremony is one of Masters week's most emotional traditions — golf legends hit ceremonial opening tee shots to begin the tournament. Watch it free on Masters.com and the Masters App starting at approximately 7:30 AM ET. No subscription required.
Key Tee Times and Groups to Watch
Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and the other marquee names will be assigned tee times in the morning and afternoon waves. Check Masters.com for the official tee time pairings — the full tee sheet is posted there and searchable by player name. Featured Groups on Masters.com will follow the most compelling player groups all day so you never miss a key shot from the top contenders.
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