50 Masters Traditions Unlike Any Other

We start with the most popular Masters tradition that even non-golf fans know. Since 1949, all Masters Champions have been presented with the famous green jacket. The champion gets to take the jacket home for one year but must return it the following year. Past Masters winners are only allowed to wear the jacket on the grounds of the Augusta National Golf Club after that first year.

Another famous Masters tradition is the Par 3 Contest. The competition takes place annually the day before the Masters begins, and allows many family members of tournament participants to caddie and sometimes even take a few swings on Augusta National's Par 3 course.

No player has ever won the Par 3 Contest and the Masters Tournament in the same year, a jinx many players aren't interested in trying to break. Players in position to win the Par 3 Contest often disqualify themselves in order to avoid any potential bad luck in the main event.

Every year the living Masters champions gather at the annual Masters Champions Dinner. The defending champion selects the menu, which ranges from quesadillas and fajitas to filet mignon. The dinner is held on the Tuesday evening of Masters week each year and has been a tradition since 1952.

Past champions never have to worry about qualifying for the Masters again. All Masters champions recieve a lifeteime invitation, and players choose to stop competing on their own decision.

Some tournaments honor participants on the first tee with a long list of their career highlights, but not the Masters. Instead, four simple words surround each participant's first and last name: "Fore please" and "Now driving."

Fans who have heard the starter declare "Fore please. Tiger Woods now driving" understand the gravity those simple words can carry.

Holes 11, 12, and 13 at Augusta National are known as Amen Corner. Many Masters tournaments have been won and lost on this stretch of challenging holes. It is also the most popular spot on the course for patrons to sit and watch.

The Crow's Nest is situated atop the Augusta National clubhouse. This space can house and sleep up to five people, and amateur golfers competing in the Masters are invited to stay there.

Although it was cut down in 2014, the Eisenhower Tree is worth mentioning. The tree, which was located off of the 17th fairway, was given its name because former President Eisenhower hit the tree so many times he lobbied to have it removed in the 1950s. Unfortunately, the tree was severely damaged in an ice storm.

It’s tradition during practice rounds for players to skip a ball across the water on Augusta National's par-3 16th hole. There’s much debate over who started it and when, but it’s one of the most lighthearted moments of the week and produces some of the loudest cheers, such as in 2020 when Jon Rahm made a hole-in-one.

Players who card an eagle at the Masters receive different crystal items from the club. Over the years, the items have ranged from highball glasses to goblets.

The beautiful landscape that is Augusta National wouldn’t look the same without its Azaleas. The Azaleas on the property are native to the area and the timing has to be nearly perfect because they only bloom for about one month.

The Nelson Bridge was also dedicated on April 2, 1958 and also sits over Rae’s Creek. It honors the late Byron Nelson and is located on the 13th hole.

The Sarazen Bridge was dedicated to Gene Sarazen on April 6, 1955 and crosses a small pond on the 15th hole.

The most luxurious accommodations at Augusta National are at Eisenhower Cabin. The building has its namesake for housing U.S. presidents, including Eisenhower himself quite often.

President Eisenhower’s idea for a pond on Augusta National’s Par-3 Course came to fruition in 1949 and was named after him. The pond comes into play on holes 8 and 9.

Behind the 16th tee box at Augusta National is a fountain. On that fountain is a plaque dedicated to Arnold Palmer celebrating his four Masters wins.

Another fountain between 16 and 17 adorns a plaque dedicated to Jack Nicklaus and his six Masters wins.

Left of the 17th green is Record Fountain which displays all the records at Augusta National as well as all of the Masters champions.

Rae's Creek meanders through holes 11, 12, and 13. This strip of water has played a part in many Masters moments. It was named after John Rae who kept residents safe during attacks on Fort Augusta in 1781.

The Masters boasts the friendliest concessions prices in sports. Pimento cheese sandwiches are $1.50, chicken wraps are $3.00, beer is $4 to $5, and Georgia peach ice cream sandwiches are only $2.00. Prices are low to ensure an affordable experience for all who attend.

Autograph seekers are typically not allowed to try and get signatures on the golf course. Many players will, however, sign autographs at the practice range.

Only players who have won a green jacket are able to sign inside of the U.S. outline of the Masters logo. Players that have not won are supposed to sign anywhere else in the flag.

The Sunday before Masters week begins, the National finals for Drive, Chip, and Putt are held at Augusta National. Kids ages 7- 15 compete for the top prize in this incredibly popular youth golf skills competition.

The Augusta National Pro Shop is the only place you’ll find official Masters merchandise. It has been reported that the pro shop makes $850,000 per hour.

At the end of Magnolia Lane, there is the Founders Circle. This is one of the most popular picture spots on the property and is known for its floral rendition of Augusta National’s logo made entirely of pansies.

The only color cup allowed at the Masters is green. And if for some reason you have a different colored cup, workers will be quick to bring you a green cup for a quick transfer.

The reason you never see bare spots in the grass is because Augusta National has a specially formulated spray to match its grasses. Hence, the perfect appearance on the broadcast.

There is a zero-tolerance rule on cell phones at the Masters. Cell phones are not allowed under any circumstance.

It’s believed that all of the ponds on the golf course are dyed to make them appear to have a perfect shade of light blue.

All players receive a brand new Mercedes as their car to use for Masters week.

There is one single palm tree on the golf course, behind the green on number 4. It wasn’t fully visible, however, until 2019 after several trees were removed in front of it.

1112 Stanley Drive is the only house on Augusta National’s land. Residents Herman and Elizabeth Thacker built the house in 1959 in an area that is now a parking lot. The couple has refused every offer to sell their home, no matter how high the offer has gotten.

All 44 of Augusta’s bunkers are filled with bright white sand from the town of Spruce Pine, North Carolina.

Tipping is strictly forbidden at any of Augusta National’s facilities.

Taking souvenir sand from bunkers at Augusta National is also strictly forbidden. In 2019, a patron was arrested for doing so, ultimately costing him $20,000 in fines and fees.

Augusta wants guests coming to see the Masters to be referred to as patrons. Do not call them fans or spectators.

Running is not allowed on the property. Seriously. You’ll be warned or asked to leave.

The Champions Locker Room is a separate locker room for past Masters winners only. Champions have a nameplate with the year(s) they’ve won. It wasn’t until 2020 that the public saw pictures of this highly restricted area, where not even regular members of Augusta National are allowed.

The Masters telecast is accompanied by the sound of birds, which CBS pipes-in to its broadcast.

The waitlist to be a Masters volunteer is years long. Many volunteers return year after year and take advantage of volunteer appreciation day after the tournament and awards volunteers a chance to play Augusta National..

We end with one of the more disappointing traditions, the Masters badge lottery. Each year, tens of thousands of people hope to get an email letting them know they’ve been selected to purchase Masters badges for the following year. A small percentage are selected, while the vast majority try their luck again next year.