We Went to the Masters — And It Confirmed Everything We Teach

We Went to the Masters — And It Confirmed Everything We Teach

By Kip Puterbaugh

There are golf experiences, and then there are once-in-a-lifetime golf experiences. Last week, our team had the privilege of attending the Masters Tournament at AugustaNational. What we saw, felt, and learned will stay with us for a long time — and we want to share it with you, because ultimately, everything we experienced comes back to what we teach here at the academy.  Augusta National: Disneyland for Golfers. If you’ve never been to Augusta National, let me try to describe it: walking those grounds is like visiting the cathedrals of Europe. It’s overwhelming for the senses — the color of the grass, the silence of the crowds, the weight of the history. It’s not just a golf course. It’s a place that makes you feel something.  The updates they’ve recently made to the clubhouse are nothing short of breathtaking. Augusta continues to evolve while somehow feeling timeless. The Masters is, officially, Disneyland for golfers — and I mean that in the best possible way.  A Moment We’ll Never Forget: Larry Mize’s Private Tour Here’s where our trip went from incredible to unforgettable.  Many of you may know that one of my proudest achievements as an instructor is having worked with Larry Mize — the 1987 Masters Champion, known for one of the most iconic chip shots in tournament history. Larry came to me a few years after his Masters win, already at the top of the game, still hungry to refine his craft. That says everything about the kind of player — and person — he is.  And that generosity of spirit was on full display last week. Larry personally welcomed us and gave our group a private tour of the Augusta National clubhouse — areas that most peoplewill never have the privilege of seeing: The Champions Locker Room — the names on those lockers read like a who’s who of golf royalty The Trophy Room — standing in front of those trophies, you feel the entire history of the game. The entire clubhouse — every detail crafted with the same obsessive care that Augusta puts into everything it does. Walking through those rooms with Larry — a Masters Champion who, even at the peak of his career, never stopped looking to improve — was a moment I won’t soon forget. It was a reminder of why we do what we do. Larry, thank you. Your generosity and kindness meant the world to our entire team. What We Saw on the Range — And Why It Matters to You Beyond the history, the beauty, and the behind-the-scenes access, we were there to watch the best golfers in the world work. And what stood out most? The way they practice. Here’s what you don’t see on TV: these players are not just beating balls. Every single shot has a clear intention behind it. They know exactly what they’re working on, why they’re working on it, and what they’re trying to feel. There is no wandering. There is no searching. There is only purpose.  Most amateur golfers are caught in the exact opposite loop. They head to the range without a plan, hit a bucket of balls, search for the next tip online, try a new drill they found on YouTube, and repeat — without ever really knowing where they’re going.

Kip on Podcast with Scotty Scheffler’s coach Randy Smith

In case you missed it, Kip was on a podcast discussing the golf swing alongside Scotty Scheffler’s coach Randy Smith.  You can watch the interview here: