The Masters: Frequently asked questions

The Masters takes place annually in early April. The Masters, which dates back to 1934, has never been played outside of March or April, bar 2020. In 2020, the Masters was played in November due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Masters is hosted every year at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia.

Augusta National releases a limited number of tickets through their annual ballot/lottery system. Obtaining these tickets is extremely rare, with less than a 0.05% of getting tickets.

All Golfbreaks Masters Packages include Masters tickets, as well as accommodation, transfers to and from the tournament, our experienced on-site Tournaments Team, and many more options such as flights, car hire and rounds of golf.

The Masters lasts for seven days, with practice rounds on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, and the tournament then commences on Thursday through to Sunday.

Unlike other golf tournaments, the Masters offers a unique experience with the Par 3 Contest on the Wednesday, where players compete in a 9-hole par 3 competition nestled in the northeast corner of Augusta National.

Current and past Masters champions are invited to play, and you’ll see wives, girlfriends, children, and families all happily serve as caddies, with many miniature Augusta National jumpsuits in sight. Famously, no winner of the Par 3 Contest has ever gone on to win the Masters in the same year.

Each tournament day offers something a little different, so the best day to attend is a matter of personal preference.

Monday and Tuesday offer a chance to watch the pros on the course, but without the large crowds. So, if your priority is seeing the professionals up close – practice days are for you. Practice days are also the only days you are permitted to take a camera to the course. This also doubles up as the best shopping day of the week.

Wednesday offers a completely unique experience, with the Par 3 Contest offering a more relaxed family atmosphere and options to take pictures on the course.

Thursday and Friday mean you get the chance to see all golfers in the field playing a competition round, not risking any of your favourites missing the cut.

Saturday and Saturday offer the most exciting, grand finale and the chance to watch the closing ceremony on 18th green – another unique element of the Masters.

No, you cannot take a phone to the Masters on any day, including practice days. This is a very strict rule enforced at the gates to the tournament, and if caught with your phone on you inside, you will be removed from the course.

You are however, allowed to bring in cameras – but only during the practice rounds (Monday-Wednesday).

On the Tuesday night of the Masters, all past champions are invited to dinner at the Augusta National Clubhouse, hosted by the previous year’s champion.

The past champion chooses the menu for the occasion and all past champions wear their ceremonial Green Jacket for the event.

Springtime in Augusta typically brings temperatures between 13c-25c, however, the weather can be unpredictable and extreme. Storms are known to pass through Augusta, so make sure you bring some form of waterproof jacket – or a trip to the Merchandise Shop may be necessary.

It is also a good idea to bring suncream, a hat, sunglasses, and comfortable walking shoes for a long day on the course.

Augusta National offers a great selection of viewing spots across the course, with plenty of grandstands scattering the grounds as well as designated areas for Masters chairs too.

Our favourite viewing points are: • Back of 2nd and 7th greens – Within a radius of 100 yards you can see five scenes of action • Back of 10th green – Watch the tricky shot onto the 10th green and then move to behind the 11th tee. • 12th tee at Amen Corner - One of the most famous par 3s in golf – a great viewing point overlooking both the 11th green and 12th tee.

Yes, you can bring your own chair to the Masters, but only if it does NOT have armrests. However, we’d recommend that instead of bringing your own, you head to the Merchandise Shop and purchase a Masters branded chair for around $30.

After you’ve got your seat, go and find a spot in the reserved seating areas. If you leave a business card in the back of the seat, this reserves your place for the day, this is one of the unique parts of the Masters experience. Any chairs left after the gates are closed WILL be confiscated, so make sure you take your chair with you before you leave.

If you’re planning on playing golf whilst visiting the area, your Masters chair will fit nicely in your golf travel bag, the easiest way to take it home.

With mobile phones prohibited, it can be difficult organising to meet up with others inside Augusta National. We recommend choosing a meeting point inside the grounds such as the large scoreboard on the 1st fairway or the large oak tree just in-front of the Clubhouse.

As part of your Masters Tournament Package with Golfbreaks, transfers to and from the tournament are offered from our accommodation in Columbia, SC. Alternatively, if you’d prefer to drive, Augusta National offers complimentary parking on-site. This is available on a first come first serve basis – so make sure you get there early.

Cameras are allowed inside the tournament during practice rounds, Monday to Wednesday. On tournament days at the Masters, no phones or cameras are prohibited inside the grounds.

However, there is an official photo area by the Augusta National Clubhouse at the Founders Circle, where a photographer will take your photo for you. After your photo has been taken, you will receive a small plastic card that will allow you to retrieve the photo online later.

There is a no autograph policy enforced on the golf course. Autograph seeking is only allowed in areas adjacent to the Tournament Practice Area and on the Par 3 course during the Par 3 Contest.

Whilst many people like to stay in Augusta during the week, there are many great locations near Augusta that get you a lot more for your money.

We recommend that you base yourself in Columbia, South Carolina during your trip to the Masters, around an hour from Augusta National. Downtown Columbia offers a plethora of great restaurants, bars, and a great deal to see and do.

When you’re inside the grounds, make sure you check out the food vendors for some of Augusta’s most iconic concessions. Sandwiches cost around $2-3 each and the Augusta classics to try are the Pimento Cheese Sandwich, the Egg Salad Sandwich, and the Georgia Peach Ice Cream Sandwich.

Along with cheap food options, drinks are also ridiculously good value, being around $5.00 for a domestic beer – which comes in a reusable Masters branded cup to take home with you. The Masters' staple drink on the menu is the Fresh Brewed Iced Tea, a southern favourite.

If you are in the grounds nice and early and need some fuel for the day – there is a selection of great breakfast sandwiches to try out too.

The Masters Merchandise Shop is a must-visit whilst attending the event, as unlike other tournaments – the only time to buy this merchandise is on-site, during the tournament. Make sure you pick the right time of the day as later in the day, you’ll find big queues.

If you need to get a gift for someone, and you’re not sure what to buy, the most popular items to buy include: • Masters chairs (which can be used during the tournament) • Golf bag towels • Coffee cups and mugs • Baseball caps • T-shirts • Ball markers

Our top shopping tip for the Masters is to buy your shopping at the earliest point you can, as popular items can sell out. Next to the shop, there is a check stand where you can check in your shopping and pick it up on your way out of the tournament.

We recommend you do this to avoid carrying all your shopping around. Be careful though, as check-in will fill up later in the day.

We recommend either flying into Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) or Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL).

Complimentary parking is available at Augusta National Club, on a first come first serve basis. Signs will direct you to the entrance gates.

• Electronic devices (Cell/mobile phones, Laptops, Tablets, Beepers, and other electronics), including devices capable of transmitting photo/video* • Backpacks, Bags and Purses larger than 10” x 10” x 12” (in its natural state) Knives and Weapons of any kind (regardless of permit) • Cameras (on tournament days) • Radios, TVs, Noise and music producing devices. • Chairs/Seats with pointed ends, Folding armchairs and Rigid type chairs. • Flags, Banners and Signs • Strollers • Food, Beverage and Coolers • Golf Shoes with metal spikes • Ladders, Periscopes and Selfie sticks

When planning your day at the tournament, we would recommend bringing the below: • Hat or Visor • Suncream • Comfortable shoes to walk in • Credit card/debit card – the Masters is now cashless • Camera (if attending a practice day)

Bags should be no larger than 10” x 10” x 12” (in their natural state).

Yes, umbrellas are allowed at the Masters. However, large corporate logos are prohibited of any kind of clothing or umbrellas. Umbrellas are also available to purchase in the Merchandise Shop.

Appropriate clothing and shoes should be worn at all times. Golfing attire is ideal, however golf shoes with metal spikes are not permitted. Fancy dress or matching team attire is NOT permitted.

If the rain isn’t unusually heavy, play will continue as planned. In the case of heavy rain or thunder and lightning, a rain delay is possible – continuing when the weather has passed.

The only time in Masters history that play was not completed by Sunday night was in 1938. In the unlikely situation of a rain out, no refunds will be given.

To book a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Masters with Golfbreaks, simply give our Tournaments Team an email [email protected], or call on 01753 720321. Our experienced team will be able to help you put together a bucket list trip that you will never forget.