As I sit in my cozy bungalow just north of Augusta in Aiken, SC, sipping coffee and watching raindrops race down the window as Monday’s practice round at Augusta National looks increasingly doubtful. This garage apartment, graciously offered by the parents of two of my students, has become my home away from home this week. They’ll build their retirement dream house on this land once their kids graduate high school, but for now, it’s my perfect Masters headquarters.

This marks my 14th pilgrimage to golf’s greatest cathedral, having missed only two tournaments since earning my PGA membership. The drive north from Orlando has become a cherished ritual, a journey that transforms from mundane interstate to hallowed ground with each passing mile.

The weather at Augusta National has always been as much a character in Masters lore as the players themselves. Today’s forecast calls for heavy rain and thunderstorms – a complete washout that will likely cancel Monday’s practice round entirely. I’m not complaining too much though; these Krispy Kreme donuts and Golf Channel’s “Live From The Masters” coverage make for a pretty decent consolation prize on what I’m calling a “working vacation.”

The weather has shaped countless memorable Masters moments throughout the tournament’s storied history. The meteorological drama at Augusta National has ranged from sweltering heat to surprising cold snaps, from drought conditions to downpours that transformed Rae’s Creek into a raging torrent.

Since its 1934 inception, the tournament has seen it all. According to the Southeast Regional Climate Center based at UNC Chapel Hill, the coldest Masters on record came in 2007, with an average temperature of 48.1 during the tournament rounds. Players bundled up in layers, looking more prepared for the British Open than a spring tournament in Georgia. Zach Johnson was victorious that week.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the 2019 Masters was fittingly the warmest average week in its history. The temperatures averaged around 75 degrees but got as high as the mid- to upper 80s as Tiger Woods heated things up with his improbable comeback victory. Augusta’s microclimate, nestled in eastern Georgia’s rolling terrain, can produce dramatic weather shifts that challenge players’ adaptability and course management.

Just a few tidbits for you weather geeks like me: the highest average temperature for a single round on record during a Masters was 86.6 degrees in 1979 when Gary Player went on to win. The coldest average temperature on a single day was that 2007 Masters, as mentioned above, with 35 degrees chilling the players and fans. Regarding rain, the 1936 event saw a total of 3.23″ fall, with Horton Smith sloshing his way to victory. In 1983, Seve won during a wet week that saw 3.17 total inches wet the grounds of Augusta National. In 2023, Jon Rham dawned the Green Jacket during a week that saw 2.85 inches of total rainfall.

Of course, there have been instances of wetter, colder, and even warmer weather during practice rounds; however, I couldn’t find records specific to those days during Masters week.

This year’s forecast follows the tournament’s unpredictable weather tradition. After Monday’s washout, Tuesday through Thursday look promising with cooler temperatures in the 60s and mostly clear skies – perfect for practice rounds and Thursday’s opening ceremony when Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Tom Watson will strike the ceremonial first tee shots. Friday brings another chance of rain before the weekend clears for what should be a spectacular finish.

There’s something magical about Augusta National during Masters week that transcends the weather. The pristine fairways, the azaleas (though blooming early this year due to Georgia’s warm winter), the perfectly manicured grounds – it’s golf’s equivalent of Disney World for grown-ups. The absence of cell phones creates an atmosphere unlike any other sporting event, where patrons (never “fans” at Augusta) are fully present in the moment.

I never take for granted that this tournament represents a bucket list experience for most golf enthusiasts. Each year, I’m humbled walking these grounds where golf history has unfolded for nearly nine decades. From spending hours at the practice facility watching the world’s best players fine-tune their games to inevitably spending far too much at the merchandise pavilion (my credit card already weeping in anticipation), every moment feels special.

Wednesday’s Par 3 Contest remains one of my favorite traditions – a lighthearted prelude to the intensity that follows. Players’ children dressed as caddies, the occasional hole-in-one celebration, and the relaxed atmosphere make it a perfect appetizer before Thursday’s main course begins.

As I watch the radar and the nasty that is on the move in my direction, I’m reminded that weather is the one aspect of the Masters that tournament officials can’t control. With as much as an inch and a half of rain to fall today, Augusta National’s SubAir system will work overtime tonight, drawing moisture from the course to ensure playable conditions when skies clear. The maintenance crew will perform their annual miracle, presenting a course that somehow looks immaculate despite Mother Nature’s attempt to spoil the party.

For now, I’ll enjoy this rare downtime, planning my strategy for the week ahead. Tomorrow’s cooler weather will require an extra layer, but nothing dampens the spirits of Masters week – not even a Monday washout. The anticipation builds with each passing hour, as it has for fourteen years now. The Masters: a tradition unlike any other, weather and all.

PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out this week’s “The Starter” on RG.org. 

Editor’s note: “My Take” is an ongoing series where Brendon shares his thoughts and opinions on various aspects of the game and industry. These are Brendon’s opinions and do not necessarily reflect those of GolfWRX, its staff, and its affiliates.