1 in 10 Would Give Up Their Marriage To Play The Masters (And Other Findings From Our Golf Fan Survey)

Harry Sadoun Sports Betting Expert

The biggest golf event of the calendar has finally arrived as The Masters sets to tee off this week. With the first round set to start on Thursday, we at VegasInsider wanted to get golf fans' perspectives on the event. We commissioned a survey of over 2000 golf fans and asked them what they liked most about The Masters, what they would give up for a starting spot in the event, and what celebrities they would most like to see play at Augusta National. Below you can find the results and full methodology.

Celebrities at The Masters

Donald Trump is the celebrity that the most people would like to see play The Masters. The former president was the pick for over 1 in 10 people. Adam Sandler received the second most votes with 10% of total respondents picking him.

When we look at the demographics breakdown (available under the methodology sub-heading below) the results get more interesting. Donald Trump received the most overall support, but it came specifically from older fans. Fans between the ages of 18 and 24 wanted to see a rap battle in Augusta with Snoop Dogg and Drake each receiving 11% of that age range's support. 25 to 34 year olds were most interested in Steph Curry playing The Masters, and Snoop Dogg was the top pick of 35 to 44 year olds. Only with respondents aged 45 and above did The Donald rank at the top of the list. He received 11% of votes from fans between the ages of 45 and 54, which tied with Adam Sandler, and was the overwhelming choice of fans over the age of 55. 19% of that age range would like to see Trump play Augusta, which accounted for nearly half of his total support.

Favorite Things About The Masters

Roughly 1 in 2 golf fans view The Masters as the start of spring and enjoy that it signifies the start of the major season. The other most popular reasons were the rich tradition and history of the event, a love of golf in general, and enjoying the atmosphere of Augusta National. Each of those responses were chosen by over 40% of fans surveyed.

15% of respondents enjoy betting on the tournament. That jumps up to 1 in 5 when looking at the 18 to 24 and 35 to 44 demographics. Fans over the age of 55 however, have little interest in betting on the event. Only 5% of that group indicated that the chance to win money by betting on the tournament was a reason for their enjoyment of it. If you want to wager on The Masters make sure to check out our bet365 bonus code to get the best offers available. Fans in North Carolina who are looking to place bets on the tournament for the first time should take a look at our North Carolina sportsbooks reviews to find the best one for them.

An interesting result was also that 18 to 24 year olds are the most likely to cancel social engagements in order to watch The Masters. 21% of respondents in that age range selected that answer.

What Fans Would Give Up For A Starting Spot at The Masters

Over 1 in 3 people would live in isolation for a month for a starting spot at The Masters. Over 1 in 5 would forego their phone for an entire year for the opportunity. And 1 in 10 people would sacrifice their marriage for a shot to play for a green jacket.

When looking at the demographic breakdowns we also found some interesting results such as the following:

• People living with their partner were most likely to say they would live in isolation, with 42% selecting that option.
• People over the age of 45 are less likely to give up their cell phones for a year than younger fans.
• 18 to 24 year olds are the most likely to give up watching sports forever.
• Married fans are the least likely to give up watching sports forever.

What Would Gen Z Do Or Not Do For A Chance At Participating In A Golf Tournament?

Compared to other generations (Millennials, Gen X, and Boomers) 23% of the people surveyed that fall into Gen Z  would never watch another NFL, MLB game, or any other sport you can think of just for the opportunity to have a starting spot at The Masters (the highest percentage out of all the generations), leading us to believe that golf is turning into a young man's sport. What was also surprising was that out of the generations surveyed, Gen Z was the second least likely to favor living in isolation (33%)  for just one month at a chance for a starting sport at The Masters (Gen X being the least likely, 26%). You would think since the pandemic played an instrumental role in the stunt of Gen Z social groups, they wouldn't mind being in isolation for a month, but guess that's not the case. Not only that, Gen Z isn't as addicted to their phones as some may have suspected, as they are more willing to give up their phones for the chance at the same scenario compared to Boomers. The survey also revealed how Gen Z views celebrities today. Gen Z voted "seeing their favorite celebrities" on the course as the least enjoyable part of watching golf tournaments like The Masters. The truth is, Gen Z isn't who the public thinks they are, considering their upbringing with their phones and a year of isolation. Plus, we can probably credit social media to the lack of excitement around celebrities who are part of The Masters. However, if they were to get excited for anyone to join The Master's next year, Snoop Dogg would be Gen Z's top pick. To see other interesting findings about what Gen Z would give up and what they enjoy the most about golf tournaments like The Master’s, check out the graphs below!

Methodology

The research was commissioned by VegasInsider and carried out online by Research Without Barriers - RWB. All surveys were conducted between 3rd April 2024 and 5th April 2024. The sample comprised 2,011 USA golf fans

All research conducted adheres to the MRS Codes of Conduct (2023) in the UK

and ICC/ESOMAR World Research Guidelines. RWB is registered with the Information Commissioner's Office and is fully compliant with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act (2018).
The full results can be found here where they can be broken down by state and demographic.

Harry Sadoun

Harry Sadoun is a seasoned sports betting expert with a wealth of experience in the iGaming and sports betting industry. Over the past 5 years, he has established himself as a go-to source for insightful analysis and predictions at Vegasinsider. With a passion for sports, Harry specializes in football, basketball, tennis, rugby, and soccer, showcasing a diverse understanding of athletic competitions. Harry's unique approach to sports betting is rooted in a combination of statistical analysis, in-depth research, and a keen understanding of the dynamics that influence game outcomes. His expert opinions and strategic insights have made him a trusted voice in the industry, guiding both novice and seasoned bettors alike. With an unwavering commitment to delivering accurate and up-to-date information, Harry Sadoun continues to be a prominent figure in the world of sports betting, providing enthusiasts with the tools they need to make informed decisions. More from Harry Sadoun