Have you been to the Masters?

General Discussion
#1

Not to make others jealous, but thought it would be fun to hear stories about anyone’s trips to the Masters.

I was there in 2012 for the weekend for bubbas first win and to a practice round in 2014. On Sunday in 2012 we went to 10 green after the last group cleared 16 since we couldn’t get to 18. Sat there just hoping for a playoff, then hoping for a second playoff hole. We got lucky and then we see bubbas ball come out of nowhere to the green with more left to right spin on it than a lefty bowler. Unforgettable moment.

Thoughts:

  1. Yes, the course is better in person than it looks on tv. Doesn’t seem possible, but when you’re there it almost looks fake it’s so perfect.

  2. yea the elevation changes are crazy (everyone says it), but what’s crazier are the slopes on the greens. You know how much the ball rolls from watching on tv but the pitch is ridiculous. 1 looks impossible, the top right pin on 6 is like hitting to the roof of a VW beetle. I could go on and on.

  3. I loved being there for the weekend for first trip and being able to walk course early and take it all in, hear the roars, etc. though it is much easier to watch on tv and not have to guess (even though it’s kind of easy to know) based on roars and wait on the scoreboards to be updated. I think I’d go back for a Saturday if I’m lucky enough to have a chance/choice, but sunday is better on the couch to see everything.

  4. you’d never know it on tv but 13 and 15 greens are probably 80 yards apart though a little bit of trees. The roars are loud, but the proximity of holes make it even louder and really can impact the psyche of players. Will be really weird this year without them.

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#2

I was also there in 2012. On Sunday, we happened to be on the fairway at No. 2 when Oosthuizen made his albatross. Unbelievable shot! We decided to stick around and watch others as everyone else left. Suddenly, a familiar face appeared, Tom Boswell of the Washington Post. He interviewed us about the shot and later wrote this article.

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#3

We were in the beer line near 8 tee just checking out. Heard a big roar as we paid and as we walked out from a distance saw Louis in the 2nd fairway with his arms up so was easy to figure out what happened. Just missed it!

#4

I’ve actually been to the Masters twice. When I first walked down the row of shops leading to the first tee and saw the beautiful green grass and brilliant white sand, I think I heard angels singing!

It was a great experience throughout the day as I walked the course twice taking dozens and dozens of pictures with my new Nikon. (It was a practice day, obviously.) I literally couldn’t wait to see some of the pictures, so when I accessed them about 2/3rds of the way through the day, I actually deleted them by mistake. (Like I said, it was a new camera and I hadn’t gotten all the way through the manual yet.)
Boy, did I feel like a moron (and still do today). I got about 25 pictures before we had to leave, but lost almost all of my good one.

Fortunately, my 2nd visit a few years later on a Wednesday was more fruitful and provided better memories.

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#5

Yes, I’ve been to the Masters twice. The first year was in 2016 which was my first, I walked all 18 holes, shopped at the pro shop, had an awesome lunch for less than $7, and was given a tour of “behind the scenes” from what is not shown on t.v. In 2016 I went to a practice round and the Saturday round. On the practice round at that time I was able to bring my phone and took a ton of pictures. I went in 2017 and met Spieth, Singh, and Tiger. Oh, and the media building is unbelievable! After that time there I decided I wanted to learn how to play this game. I am anticipating being able to go next spring. I will keep the Practical Golf Family updated.

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#6

How familiar were you with the Masters and golf in general before you went? Sounds like you didn’t play before, but were you familiar with the history/tradition/etc? My wife (non-golfer, watches on tv with me a bit) came to a practice round with me and was blown away.

One thing I should have included in my first post - it is the BEST RUN sporting event ever from a logistics standpoint. Parking is so easy and getting in and out is as good as it gets. The bathrooms are cleaner and more efficient than Disney. Know it’s easy when the tournament is there every year and they have permanent structures for it, but it’s just perfect in every way.

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#7

I have never been but would like to go. It seems like the people that have been get to go multiple times. They either have the connection required, the luck involved from the random lottery, or an abundance of money. I, like many, get the email each year saying I was not selected for the lottery. I will not pay a scalper the money to go either. It is just against my values and it makes it harder for actual golf fans to have the experience. I won’t rant about that. I am hoping that one day I will be able to go to a practice round or any round for that matter just to be able to see the grounds.

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#8

Keep entering the lottery!

First time I went I bought tickets from a co-worker who had them in his family and was selling the weekend. Supposedly the tickets were in his grandpas name and couldn’t be passed down to the rest of the family. Not sure how they original came about but it could be that over time there are fewer “legacy” ticket (I mean badge) holders and more available for the public if this was commonplace.

Second time my parents won practice round in the lottery.

In talking to a marshall when I was there, supposedly if you marshall for 20 years (don’t remember the exact length of time), you get one badge for life once you stop.

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#9

That is cool to hear. I know people that have won the lottery so I know it is possible. I will continue to enter and hopefully it will come through!

#10

Also little known fact if you just want to see the course - they have a lottery for the Augusta National Women’s Am with limited tickets but likely better odds of winning. So even if you’re not there for the Masters, you could get in that way to see the course (and some high level golf).

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#11

My best statement has always been: “The fairways were better than any green I have played on.” The lunch was delicious and surprisingly cheap. I made up for it at the pro shop.

#12

ah yes, I did try for those too. It was a good final round to watch last year on TV regardless!

#13

I was vaguely familiar with the Masters, before then I never stepped foot on a golf course. After that first trip and getting the behind the scenes tour and history lesson. I’m a fan forever

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#14

Reading this thread really makes me want to go to the Masters! Being UK based I always assumed it would never happen (neither my wife, nor kids are remotely interested), or if it did I’d be going with friends and it would cost the same as a 2-week family holiday (so won’t happen!). I can always dream.

#15

Enter the lottery and hopefully you’ll win sometime. The face value of tickets isn’t bad, it’s just unreasonable to buy on secondary markets.

After that it’s just a trip to the states (and it’s not like you’re paying for hotels at Disney World or NYC!)

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#16

A company I used to work for would rent a house for $25,000, and fly it’s A-List customers down for 1-2 days each on private planes. They would also purchase 8 tickets for all four days plus the practice rounds. Of course, Convergys went from $200M to $100M in sales in one year and eventually the last dregs of the company were sold off. Thousands of layoffs, but, the big guys got to go to The Masters on someone else’s dime.

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#17

Going on 18 years of failed lottery attempts. My father in law has been five times all through the lottery. All before I met his daughter. Not at all salty.

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#18

My wife bought me two tickets on a resale site a couple of years ago for Christmas. She spent way more than I’m comfortable with…but it was worth it;)

Took my best golf/college buddy. Flew down to Atlanta on Thursday. Played 18 at Reynolds plantation on Friday.

Saturday tickets. We had access to a nearby house with our tickets. Arrived and parked—Chef in kitchen asks us what we want for breakfast—anything we wanted to eat or drink. When we were ready to go a girl took us down to the gate in a golf cart and we made a time to meet her after.

The course is as described. Augusta National is the literal embodiment of “Money is no object”. Food is great and stupid cheap. We set chairs down by the pond on 16 and walked the course backwards. Watched behind 4 tee for a half hour or so. Saw Annika walking the grounds. Service is amazing as previous poster described.

No phone on course meant actually talking to other patrons. Met people from all over.

We sat in bleachers behind 12 tee for a while, then went and watched 13 tee shots land and approach shots. Finished the day sitting in our chairs at 16. Bought was too much stuff at the merchandise area then met the girl in the golf cart to take us back to the house. Of course she had a cooler of beers ready for us.

Dinner was at a corporate tent/party set up across the river in Carolina. Unbelievable spread. Unbelievable day. Can’t wait to do it again someday!

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#19

Yep, way to much spent, but, worth it. Applying next year also. Maybe my favorite Aunt will let me use 1 of her 4 tickets. Two have been in the family since the early 60’s and two since the early 90’s.

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#20

As previously mentioned, my son got me to Augusta National as a National Finalist in the Drive Chip and Putt last year (see avatar/tattoo). Everything about the experience was spectacular. It is truly even better than you can imagine…

Got to ride up Magnolia Lane early Sunday morning arriving for the DCP competition.
Driving competition was at the range.
Chipping competition at the short game practice area.
Putting competition on the 18th green.
Pictures in front of the clubhouse (“Founder’s Circle” IIRC).
Lunch in the Founder’s Room.
Entered the clubhouse and saw a bank of free phones, so called my Dad from the ANGC clubhouse.
Spent way too much money on merchandise (don’t regret it).
Son’s group was finished with the competition around 9:30, but we got to hang around until 2pm Sunday, with limited access to the course. Around 1pm my wife said “well, are you guys ready to go back to the hotel?” Ummm, no…
As part of the package, we got 4 tickets to the Monday practice round.
The course is amazing, absolutely pristine conditions everywhere.
12th hole is awesome, called my Dad again from another bank of free phones behind the grandstands there.
Watching the players skip balls across the water on 16 is a blast.

I’ve been entering the Masters lottery for years, with no luck.
But I won tickets first try for the Women’s Amateur, would have been there in April, but, you know… So they transferred that to next year, and I have tickets for April 2021 ANWA if they allow fans.
And, this got me access to the online Masters Patron Shop this year, so I did most of my Christmas shopping already.

Highly recommended! Exceeds expectations!

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