Navigating The Masters

The Masters is not just another golf tournament. It is one of the World's great events, right up there with Wimbledon, the opera at La Scala, the Kentucky Derby, ballet at the Bolshoi and the Monte Carlo Grand Prix.

With its special status and setting, and the wide draw of the tournament, attending the Masters is more complicated than just buying a ticket online. We’ve been planning trips down to Augusta for over a decade, and know the ins, outs, and everything in-between for you to get the most out of the amazing experience of attending the Masters.

Quirks

The Masters and Augusta National are unique in many ways. For one, there are rules at Augusta. And whether it be out of fear, respect for the tradition and stature of the tournament, or maybe a mix of the two, those rules are followed.

Chairs & Etiquette

When you place your Masters chair down, that chair is not to be moved. You can leave it in the same place all day, and it will not be moved. Other patrons may sit in your chair, but when you return, you can bet on them swiftly vacating. The rules are the rules. This adherence to the written and unwritten conditions of being on the grounds of Augusta National create an environment of amazing behaviour. For example, we’ve had hundreds of dollars of Masters merchandise left underneath a chair for five hours, and we were not worried at all that it would be taken.

If you don’t want to be get up at the crack of dawn to be amongst the first to put a chair down, however, there are some highly effective strategies that we’ve developed in our experience at the tournament.

Phones & Cameras

Cell phones are not allowed in Augusta National. There are payphones throughout the grounds, from which you can call anywhere in North America, free of charge. They’re perfect for that “guess where I am” call.

If you’re thinking to yourself “if I can’t take my phone, well, then I’ll have to bring my camera”! Not so fast. While cameras are permitted during the practice rounds (Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday) they are not permitted during the tournament rounds.

Merchandise

As you walk into the grounds of Augusta National, even early in the morning, you’ll often see crowds of people walking against the grain away from the course holding multiple bags of merchandise. Even those who say they don’t plan on buying any Masters merch typically leave with merch. One principal reason is that official Masters products can be purchased in one place and one place only, and it is on the grounds of Augusta National. Put differently, this is your (only) chance.

When to Attend

Practice Rounds

The invitees to The Masters will play practice rounds at Augusta National during the three days (Monday-Wednesday) leading up to the first round of the tournament. The general vibe while attending practice rounds is more relaxed than the tournament rounds, giving you a great opportunity to explore Augusta National without the tension and restrictions of tournament play.

Personally, while we understand the draw of the weekend, we love attending Wednesday to Friday. You get to roam the grounds on Wednesday in the more relaxed environment of the practice round, plan out where you’d like to stand during the tournament days and take photos. Wednesday’s Par-3 Contest is very fun and highly entertaining.

Expressed differently, you get to experience the build-up to the tournament in Augusta, before seeing the first and second rounds of the tournament. Further on Thursday and Friday, you’re guaranteed to see your favourite player, come the weekend, he may miss the cut!

Ultimately, it is special to attend any day - practice or tournament round - at The Masters.

To learn about how you can attend The Masters, click here.