Kevin Kisner, Kirby Smart & Augusta National's back tees: a Memoir
Kevin Kisner once talked Kirby Smart into playing Augusta National’s back tees.
It went about how you’d expect, according to Kisner.
The 2022 Masters hopeful shared his side of the story on Georgia’s ‘Shock and Ship’ Podcast in 2021:
“We get to the 9th hole, and (Kirby Smart’s) like, ‘They want me to hit my drive in between those trees? That far? I got no chance,’” Kisner told me and DJ Shockley.
“I’m like, ‘It’s all good, don’t worry about it,'” Kisner said. “‘The caddies will find the ball. We’ll be fine.’”
Ever take your backswing, and realize that you’re thinking way too much?
But it’s too late to bail and compose yourself for a new swing?
Well, imagine doing that at Augusta National.
That’s what happened to Kirby Smart.
Even though Kisner loves the Dawgs, and carries himself with a gritty demeanor on the course, this story really got him chuckling.
“So he takes it back, and I swear to God on my life, he isn’t even halfway down on his down swing and he goes, ‘I got no business being back here.’”
Kisner says Kirby Smart plays golf like he coaches
Even though Kirby was in over his head a bit at Augusta National, Kevin Kisner says Smart just plays golf relentlessly.
And vocally.
“We play all the time. He’s terrible, but he loves it,” Kisner said.
“I mean, he’s yelling at that ball from the time he touches it until it goes in the hole the entire hole,” Kisner said.
If you’ve seen Smart coach a football game, you’ve seen him jump on the sidelines.
And chase after players on long runs.
There’s no running allowed on Augusta National’s grounds, though.
So Smart’s verbal observations were a theme throughout that round with Kisner.
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“Every tee, he’s like, ‘Good God, how do you even play this hole,'” Kisner said.
“‘I can’t even get to the fairway.’”
Even with all of Augusta National’s deceptive beauty, I can’t say that I wouldn’t be thinking the same thing.
Kisner enjoying this 2022 Masters and making memories with his family
Kisner’s memories with Smart make for a hilarious anecdote in Georgia and Augusta National lore.
Kiz also gets to make memories with his family each time he’s fortunate to play in the Masters.
His son Henry and daughter Kate got to stripe a few at the par three contest on Wednesday. This was the first par three since 2019, due to Covid.
The Kisners definitely made the most of it.
Kevin Kisner is one of six Georgia golfers with a chance to win the Green Jacket.
Check out a breakdown of their odds, and listen to the Dawg Walk Talk Podcast for more on the Dawgs’ chances at Augusta.
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