What day should I attend the Masters?

Attending the Masters is at the top of any golfing fanatic's bucket list. The Masters offers a unique experience that no other, with Augusta National Golf Club being one of the most prestigious golf clubs in the world.

With each tournament day offering a different experience, it's important to think about what you love about the Masters and plan your trip accordingly. Join us as we unveil our top tips and tricks for each day to make the most of the first major of the year!

Although Monday at the Masters may be the first and quietest day, it is arguably one of the best days of the week.

If you, like many other Augusta fanatics have memorised every inch of the course and want to soak it all in, this will be a lot easier without the masses of crowds that appear later once the tournament commences. Practice days give you the perfect opportunity to walk the course without constantly having to navigate your way through the crowds.

Want to watch your favourite player without having to fight for a spot in the front row? Tournament days bring large galleries that will follow the world’s top players from the second they step onto Augusta’s grounds until they’ve signed their card. Both on the course and the practice facilities will be a lot quieter at the front end of the week – meaning you can see the best swings in the world up close. The largest draw to any practice day at Augusta is due to one of Augusta’s long-standing traditions – no phones are allowed inside the grounds. And no phones means no photos.

However, Monday – Wednesday, you are allowed to take a camera inside the grounds with you. You’ll be able to pick up a disposal camera in one of the many shops on Washington Road, but we’d highly recommend bringing a good quality camera to capture this once-in-a-lifetime experience!

If you don’t buy any Masters merchandise, did you even go to the Masters?

Unlike other tournaments, the only place you can officially buy Masters Merchandise is inside the grounds. A visit to the Merchandise Shop is all part of the experience with a selection of goods ranging from on-course wear, to garden gnomes and pet attire.

The most sought-after items sell out earlier in the week, so if you are attending on Monday – make sure to tick off the shop first.

Golfbreaks staff tip: After visiting the shop, you can check in your shopping and pick it up on your way out of the tournament, meaning you don’t have to carry it around the course all day with you. We highly suggest this free service as Augusta is a lot hillier than it looks on the television! Additionally, you can choose to ship your goods straight home with the Masters FedEx service.

Very similar to Monday, Tuesday offers a quieter experience with a lot fewer spectators than the back end of the week, PLUS, the opportunity to take a camera to the event.

However, where Tuesday is different is there’s a Masters tradition you simply cannot skip.

The iconic 16th hole, ‘Redbud’ provides another unique experience only found at Augusta. Players will attempt to skip their ball across the water and onto the green. This is a fantastic spot to place yourself for a couple of hours to try and witness some of the Masters magic.

Back in 2020, John Rahm not only got over the water and onto the green but made a hole-in-one!

Use Tuesday as your chance to tick off your ‘must-dos’ at Augusta National… take your photos at “Amen Corner”, try a Pimento Cheese Sandwich, and treat yourself to a Sweet Tea.

Tuesday night plays host to the Champions Dinner. This is when the defending champion chooses the menu for all those attending. Although the general public cannot watch this event, the menu is shared publicly and is always a great source of entertainment, with each champion picking something completely unique.

Wednesday at the Masters provides a completely unique tournament tradition, only ever to be experienced at Augusta National – The Par 3 Tournament.

At 1:00 pm on the Par 3 Executive Course, players compete in a light-hearted contest, bringing an extremely relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. Many players have their wives, children or family members acting as caddies, donning the iconic white Masters boilers suits.

Players tend to be in a relaxed playful mood, with a lot of crowd interaction taking place and the opportunity to see a different side of the world’s best golfers. You’ll also see a plethora of past Champions here before the Past Champions Dinner commences in the evening.

The best viewing spots are on the 8th and 9th holes, on opposite sides of Ike’s Pond, which fill up quite quickly, so make sure you get there early. If you’re looking to see an ace, head to the 2nd hole which measures 70 yards, or the 3rd which is a 90-yarder.

Famously, no winner of the par 3 tournament has gone on to win the tournament in the same year. However, many contests don’t even tend to post a score and instead enjoy the nine holes by having their caddies or even family members attempt a chip or putt.

Before the Par-3 Contest commences in the afternoon, use your morning inside the grounds to walk to the course and watch some of the field practising before the first tournament day commences.

One of the great perks of Thursday at the Masters is the crowds are spread out quite evenly across the course, with no leaders to follow just yet. Additionally, there’s no risk of missing your favourite golfer, as the cut has not been made yet.

Thursday brings another unique Masters tradition – the ceremonial opening tee shot. This tradition dates back to the 1960s and has seen the likes of Gene Sarazen, Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson kicking off the tournament.

To witness this spectacle, you’ll need to arrive when the gates open and find your place at the first tee as quickly as possible (walk, don’t run!). Typically, the first group will tee off at 7:30 am, with Masters Chairman Fred Ridley introducing the Hall of Famers.

As you cannot take your camera in on tournament days, we’d highly suggest taking advantage of the Official Masters Photograph you can have taken inside the grounds. This isn’t advertised inside the grounds, so is somewhat of a secret – an opportunity not to be missed!

Once you’re inside the grounds and the clubhouse is on your left, walk towards the Executive Par 3 Course, staying close to the Clubhouse. Here you’ll see the queue for the Official Photograph Spot, at the end of Magnolia Lane, at the Founder’s Circle.

The line may look long, but with three different photographers working simultaneously, it tends to move very quickly and is certainly worth the wait. This service is completely free of charge, and you will be given a card to retrieve your photograph online once outside the grounds.

Very similar to Thursday, Friday at the Masters offers a chance to watch the full field of golfers before the cut is made after the second round.

If you want a glimpse of ageing past champions and starry-eyed amateurs attempting their first Masters, Friday offers plenty of drama as you watch them fight to make the cut. With only the top 50 players making the cut and staying for the weekend, the pressure is on!

Golfbreaks tip: If your preference once inside the grounds is walking the course and following groups, make sure you are prepared with appropriate footwear and a comfortable outfit. The weather at Augusta can bring every season, so make sure you pack your waterproofs.

The dress code for spectators from Augusta is ‘appropriate clothing/shoes should be worn at all times. Golf shoes with metal spikes are not permitted.’

Known as "Moving Day," this is when the now smaller field of players aim to position themselves for a final push on Sunday. With a smaller field and a lot more pressure to compete for the Green Jacket, the competition intensifies hugely.

It will start to feel a lot more crowded inside the grounds moving into the final rounds – so make sure you strategise on what you want to prioritise whilst in the tournament.

There is no need to waste time grabbing breakfast before entering the tournament, as the food and drink offering at the Masters is all part of the experience. The concession menu offers over 30 different items, including breakfast (served until 10 am), sandwiches, beverages, and snacks – all at a very reasonable price. Must-try Masters classics are the Pimento Cheese Sandwich, Egg Salad Sandwich, and the Georgia Peach Ice Cream Sandwich.

If you haven’t yet been to the merchandise shop, we’d suggest going first thing in the morning and checking in your goods next to the shop to pick up on your way out. The course is long and hilly, so you do not want to carry your shopping bags around the course with you if you don’t have to.

Golfbreaks tip: A great viewing spot is behind the 12th tee, as it’s an elevated position and you can watch multiple different shots on 11th, 12th and 13th. Make sure you get there early if you want to watch the final groups go through, as it will fill up early in the day. If the queues prove too big for the grandstand, the slope on the right side of the 11th fairway also provides ideal viewing.

The final day of the Masters, a day that doesn’t need introducing. The 50 remaining players compete to become the Masters Champion and wear the iconic green jacket which brings the most exciting golf of the tournament.

The final group will tee off around 2:00-3:00 pm, meaning the awards ceremony will take place around sunset, the perfect setting. The Awards Ceremony takes place on 18th green and is an amazing opportunity to be part of Masters history.

For many, the highlight of the tournament is the last few deciding holes on Sunday afternoon. Most fans will want to experience this live, however, it can be very hard to find a good spot to view the action. Some will leave the grounds earlier in the day, to find a good spot to watch the action on TV to ensure that they guarantee a great view.

The final round of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur is played on the Saturday before the Masters and offers a fantastic option for those wanting to get inside Augusta National’s grounds, whilst watching the world’s best Amateur Women. The crowds are smaller, the golf is world-class, and this offers a budget-friendly option.

The ANWA brings an international field of 72 women amateurs who will compete over 54 holes of stroke play. A cut will take place after 36 holes, advancing the leading 30 players and ties to the final round at Augusta National Golf Club. In the event of a tie after 54 holes, the winner will be decided by sudden-death playoff.