If you've been watching the 2024 Masters live streaming or on TV then you no doubt have heard a constant humming as the players take on Augusta National.
Given how perfect things are at Augusta National, it might seem strange that this noise isn't going away. However, the noise isn't going away for a good reason.
The hum you're hearing is either that of the Sub Air system at Augusta National or drones.
Underneath every green at Augusta National Golf Club is what's called a Sub-Air system. It's effectively a vacuum underneath the green that allows the club to control the moisture under each putting surface. When it rains, as it did on Tuesday and Wednesday, as well as Thursday morning to cause a 30-minute suspension of play, the club can turn on the Sub-Air system to more quickly pull water out of the green and drain it away. This way, the greens get firmer and back to normal speeds sooner without as much delay to play.
In addition to removing moisture from the greens, the Sub Air system can be used to blow cool air back into the greens to help keep them cool when it's particularly hot outside. That's typically obviously not a threat during the Masters, but it's helpful in the summer months when the club is closed to play.
The ability to remove moisture from the putting surfaces is a big part of the tremendous drainage system in place at Augusta National that is designed to keep the ground and turf in tremendous condition year-round and also to help the club and the Masters Tournament recover ideal playing conditions quickly after a storm of practically any size.
There are also drones flying around Augusta National this year. Drones flying in the air make a more high-pitched sound because it isn't muffled underground.
