Golf Community Has Growing 'Concern' With Culture at The Masters

Last week, a New York City-based influencer went viral for her outfit at The Masters. Many called it "inappropriate" for the setting. Others defended it, suggesting that it was cute. Even some prominent reality TV stars weighed in.

This isn't the sort of thing that happened at Augusta National 15 or 20 or 25 years ago. Heck, even 5 or 10 years ago, there wasn't a serious "influencer" presence at The Masters. But things are changing in the sports world.

Sporting events like the U.S. Open, the Super Bowl, Wimbledon and, yes, The Masters, are all becoming high-profile events for women - and men - to show off their fashion, their TikTok skills and more.

And, while phones are banned inside of the gates of Augusta National, a lot of content is still being produced surrounding the tournament.

It's not just the influencers, either.

Prominent celebrities, like Kevin Hart, Jason Kelce, etc. are all being welcomed - and showcased - at The Masters, especially during the Par 3 Tournament.

But it's this growing culture that has some in the golf community concerned.

Golf community expresses concern with The Masters' culture

Front Office Sports published an article on Monday titled, "The Coachella-ization of the Masters Has Golf Purists Concerned."

As more and more influencers descend upon The Masters, some in the more traditional aspect of the golf community will push back.

"I don't want to tune in to a professional golf event and watch semi-pros and influencers and hacks and whatever. I don't want to see jokes. I can go to YouTube and watch that. I want to see professional golf when I tune in to a professional golf tournament," Peter Kostis, a former Masters broadcaster, tells Front Office Sports. "When I tune in to the Masters I want to see Masters coverage. I don't want to see Waste Management Open coverage."

Kostis issued a warning to Augusta National and others.

"People have an expectation of what they're going to see when they tune in for the Masters. It's built up over 40 or 50 years-and they're going to be pissed off if they don't get what they want," warns Kostis. "Where does it end up in the future? That's up to the Masters and their decision-making priorities and their partners. But they've got to be careful, in my opinion. They're the last vestige of tradition in televised golf in my opinion."

Former ESPN host Trey Wingo was among those echoing the thoughts, too.

"You can't cut off your base to find somebody else, know who you're talking to," Wingo said. Know who you're sending this out for, know who's going to be watching it. When you turn on the people that matter the most about the thing that you're putting out there, you have lost the proposition. And I want to be clear. I want ESPN to be incredibly successful. I want them to continue to have the Masters for as long as they want it, because when it's left to their own devices and the people that do golf, they're great. It's all the other crap, for lack of a better term, that's being shoved down golf viewers' throats that is turning people away."

It'll be interesting to see what The Masters' coverage looks like in 2027.

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This story was originally published April 20, 2026 at 3:00 PM.