How golfers practice ahead of their biggest tournament of the year

AUGUSTA, Ga.—The basic structure of a major championship week isn’t complicated. It’s the specifics that merit explanation.

Golfers who show up to Augusta National ahead of the Masters will hit balls, putt and chip, then play practice rounds. By the time they put a ball in the air Thursday, they will hope their preparation was sufficient.

The intriguing part is what that preparation entails, and how it varies from one player to the next. To scan these photos captured by Golf Digest’s J.D. Cuban at Augusta National on Tuesday is to see players immersed in varying states of fine-tuning. Some of it will be readily familiar to average players, other parts explore a level of granularity that is difficult for the rest of us to grasp.—Sam Weinman

Hideki Matsuyama (above and below) worked with an assortment of aids on the putting green to assist with his alignment, his body stability, and his start lines.

Peter Malnati (above) utlilized a Down Under board that conditions players to leverage the ground for power.

Players like Scottie Scheffler will pay special attention to the condition of their grooves for executing specific shots.

Even a player's spikes, as Lucas Glover is seen examining here, can play a role.

Patrick Cantlay worked with longtime coach Jamie Mulligan on remaining stable through the ball.

Jordan Spieth worked on a Trackman under the supervision of coach Cameron McCormick and caddie Michael Greller. Players rely on launch monitors tournament weeks to lock in specific carry distances at tournament sites.