The Masters is often described as a place where time stands still. The last bastion of a bygone era before every golfer hit it 300 yards. After all, everyone knows about the Masters no-phone policy and its insistence on decorum, but even its refusal to sign a multi-year television deal bucks the trend compared to other modern sporting events.
And while all of those things are noteworthy in their own right, underscoring them is a hidden layer of data and technology making the Masters among the most forward-thinking events in sport. Because behind the facade of analog scoreboards and payphones is a vast network of data that powers what might just be the best app in sports. And it’s all supported by IBM, one of seven of the Masters’ official sponsors.
Downloading the Masters app is a right of passage for golf fans every spring. All it takes is a quick glance at the phone, hidden by a work desk or perhaps a magazine, to immerse oneself in a world of blooming azaleas and emerald green fairways. And each year the app somehow gets better.
Returning for the second year is Hole Insights 2.0 which uses AI to provide a detailed analysis of every shot. This isn’t just basic data like clubhead speed and carry, it’s daily summaries of hole performance, predictions based on current play, and historical context from years of tournament data dating back to 2016. This level of detail empowers a deeper understanding of the game’s nuances at a tournament where strategic thinking is so important.
The Apple Vision Pro experience, meanwhile, takes the experience further with an immersive view of a golf course that’s as storied as any. It allows for exploration of 3D models of Augusta National, appreciation of its dramatic elevation changes, and simultaneous viewing of multiple live streams. This combination of analytics and visuals allows fans watching from afar to experience it on a visceral level.
This data isn’t just for fans though, it’s also used by players who want to gain actionable insights on their performance at Augusta National and how they can navigate the course better. This is something of a pandora’s box though. The potential data points and analytics IBM could provide are almost endless. The company has tracked every shot at Augusta National since 2016 and can bring up a shot spread for any player in an instant. For now, only the players who work with IBM get full access to its cloud of data. And the Masters Tournament itself has a say in what can and can’t be shared. But who knows, that could change in the future. The app, and the event, continues to evolve together.
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