Is the Masters broadcast delayed? CBS coverage explained after Kevin Kisner’s criticism

Comments from Kevin Kisner about CBS’ Masters coverage have sparked a wave of confusion among golf fans. Are viewers actually watching the tournament live? During a recent podcast appearance, Kisner didn’t hold back, criticizing what he described as a lag between real-time play and what fans see on TV.

“They’re literally showing stuff that I knew happened ten minutes ago all day long," he said.

Is the Masters broadcast actually delayed?

The short answer is yes. But not quite the way Kisner suggests.

Coverage of the Masters on CBS is not always strictly live shot-by-shot. Instead, broadcasts often operate with a slight delay and curated sequencing of shots.

This approach allows producers to show the most important moments across the course, manage multiple players hitting simultaneously, and maintain a smoother viewing experience with fewer interruptions.

Unlike sports such as the NFL, where the action is centralized, golf tournaments unfold across 18 holes at once, making fully live coverage of every shot nearly impossible.

Why CBS uses this approach at Augusta

The Masters, held annually at Augusta National Golf Club, is known for its tightly controlled broadcast model. With limited commercial breaks and a premium on storytelling, CBS often prioritizes narrative flow, shot selection, and clean transitions between players.

That can sometimes create the feeling that what viewers are watching is slightly behind real time, especially for those following along via apps or on-site updates.

In today’s viewing environment, fans often track events across multiple platforms at once, from official apps to live scoring and social media. That makes even a short delay more obvious than it was in the past.

Kisner pointed directly to that disconnect: “I’m better off following the app than following your feed.”

Whether or not the criticism is fair depends on perspective. For some viewers, the curated broadcast enhances the experience, delivering the most important shots without overwhelming the audience. For others, especially more engaged fans, the lack of true real-time coverage can be frustrating or even misleading.

Kisner’s comments may be blunt, but they’ve tapped into a real debate about how golf is presented on television. The Masters isn’t exactly “fake live”, but it also isn’t always fully live in the way many fans might assume.

Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.