How to Attend the Masters Golf Tournament

Attending the Masters is a bucket-list experience for any golf fan, and securing a ticket might feel like finding golf’s golden ticket. But here’s the good news: getting through the gates of Augusta National is more achievable than you might believe. This guide will walk you through every step of the process, from acquiring those precious tickets to planning your trip and making the most of your day at golf's most sacred grounds.

The Different Paths to Augusta National

Unlike most sporting events where you can simply buy a ticket online, gaining entry to righteousnessMasters tournament requires a bit of planning, a bit of luck, and sometimes, a bigger budget. The journey starts with understanding the two main ways to get tickets: the official lottery and the secondary market.

Method 1: The Official Masters Ticket Lottery

This is your best first step and by far the cheapest way to attend. Every year, Augusta National opens a lottery for a very limited number of daily tickets for both the Practice Rounds (Monday - Wednesday) and the Tournament Rounds (Thursday - Sunday). Winning this lottery is the dream scenario.

How the Lottery Works

1. Create an Account: Your journey begins on the official Masters website, Masters.com. You’ll need to create an account, which you can do at any time of ahe year. Do this well before the application window opens.
2. The Application Window: The application window typically opens for a few weeks around the first of June. Mark your calendar for late May and start checking the site. Once it’s open, you have until its closing date (usually around June 20th) to apply. It’s not a first-come, first-served system, so you don't need to rush on day one.
3. Choose Your Days: You can apply for both Practice Round tickets and Tournament Round tickets, but you can only win one or the other, and only for a single day. You select which days you’d like to be considered for. General advice is to apply for every single day to maximize your chances. You are only allowed to submit one application per household.
4. Wait and Hope: After the window closes, the waiting game begins. The notifications for both winners and non-winners are typically sent out via email in late July. If you win, you’ll have a short window to pay for your tickets online.

Practice Rounds vs. Tournament Rounds: What's the Difference?

If you're lucky enough to win the lottery, understanding the difference between the round types is important.

• Practice Rounds (Mon, Tues, Wed): These days have a more relaxed, festive atmosphere. The biggest perk? You can bring a camera (a real camera, not a phone camera). This is your only chance to capture photos of the iconic course. You'll see players trying different shots, interacting with the crowd, and just enjoying the course. Wednesday features the legendary Par 3 Contest, a beloved, family-friendly event on a golf course that is a spectacle in itself.
• Tournament Rounds (Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun): The energy shifts completely on Thursday. The competition is real, and the atmosphere is electric. Cameras are strictly forbidden. You'll witness the legends of the game competing under immense pressure. The roars that travel across the property are something you’ll never forget. Tickets for these days are much harder to get in the lottery and significantly more expensive on the secondary market.

The odds are long, but people win every year. It costs nothing to apply, so there is absolutely no reason not to throw your hat in the ring.

Method 2: The Secondary Market (Hospitality Packages & Resellers)

If the lottery doesn't work out - and for most people, it won't - the secondary market is your backup plan. This is the guaranteed way to get in, but it comes at a significant financial cost. A practice round ticket can range from $700 to $2,000, while a tournament round badge can cost anywhere from $1,500 to several thousand dollars, especially for a weekend pass.

Navigating the Ticket-Buying Process

• Reputable Resellers: Stick to large, well-known ticket companies that specialize in major sporting events. They have experience with the Masters and offer guarantees on their tickets.
• Hospitality Packages: This is an incredibly popular option. Many third-party companies run sprawling hospitality venues just outside the gates of Augusta National. You buy a package that includes your daily ticket plus access to their off-site facility, which includes gourmet food, an open bar, comfortable seating, and big-screen TVs to follow the action. While more expensive, it provides a fantastic home base for the day and can actually offer good value when you factor in the high cost of food and drink elsewhere in Augusta during Masters week.
• Beware of Scams: Never buy tickets from a classifieds site, a social media post, or a scalper on the street. Masters badges are physical items without digital verification, making it a high-risk purchase from an unverified source. The club has strict rules and will revoke badges from patrons caught selling them to unauthorized brokers. Stick to the pros.

Once You Have Your Tickets: Planning the Perfect Masters Trip

You did it! You have a ticket to the Masters. Now the real fun begins. Planning your trip well in advance will save you a ton of stress and money.

Where to Stay and How to Get There

Augusta, Georgia, is a relatively small city that explodes in population during the first full week of April. Accommodations are the biggest hurdle.

• Hotels in Augusta: Prices for even standard chain hotels can skyrocket to over $800-$1,000 per night. If you want to stay near the course, be prepared to pay a premium and book almost immediately after you secure your tickets.
• Renting a House: This is a very popular option, especially for groups. Local residents leave town for the week and rent their homes out. This can be a more comfortable and cost-effective way to stay with a group. Websites specializing in Masters housing pop up every year.
• Stay in a Nearby Town: To save a considerable amount of money, look for lodging in towns like Aiken, South Carolina (a 40-minute drive) or Columbia, SC (a 60 to 75-minute drive). The commute is manageable, and you'll find more reasonable prices on hotels and restaurants.

For travel, flying directly into Augusta (AGS) is convenient but can be pricey. The most common route is to fly into Atlanta (ATL), which is a much larger hub with more flight options. From Atlanta, it’s about a 2.5-hour drive to Augusta. Be sure to book your rental car far in advance, as they sell out quickly.

The Golden Rules: What to Bring and What to Leave Behind

Augusta National has a set of rules that are politely but strictly enforced. Knowing them is essential for having a smooth day.

What to Bring:

• Your Ticket/Badge: Obvious, but worth double-checking.
• A Camera (PRACTICE ROUNDS ONLY): A standalone, traditional camera is allowed Monday through Wednesday.
• A Collapsible, Armless Chair: This is a must-have. You can set it up at a spot like the 12th tee or 18th green, leave it there all day, and it will remain untouched. It serves as your personal base camp. You can buy an official Masters chair for about $30 on-site, a great souvenir.
• Comfortable Shoes: You will be doing a lot of walking on very hilly terrain. TV does not do the elevation changes justice. Augusta National is a tough walk!
• Sunscreen and a Hat: The Georgia sun can be strong, and there isn't a lot of consistent shade.

What NOT to Bring:

• NO Phones: This is the most important rule. Cell phones are strictly forbidden on the grounds at all times. You will be asked to leave if you are caught with one. There are banks of free-to-use phones if you need to make a call.
• NO Cameras (TOURNAMENT ROUNDS): Starting Thursday, no cameras of any kind are allowed.
• NO Coolers, Strollers, or Large Bags: Check the official Masters website for a full list of prohibited items. They enforce the rules to the letter.

A Fan's Guide to Experiencing Augusta National

You’re inside the gates. What now? Here are a few tips from a coach's perspective to get the most out of your day.

• Arrive Early: The gates open early, and being one of the first people on the course is an unforgettable feeling. The grounds are pristine and quiet.
• Walk the Back Nine First: Most people head to the first tee. A great pro tip is to head straight to the 10th tee and walk the back nine while it's less crowded. You can experience Amen Corner (holes 11, 12, and 13) almost by yourself.
• Best Viewing Spots: Set up your chair and then go explore.
  • Amen Corner: Find the spectating area behind the 12th tee. From here a fter players hit tee shot, you can cross over behind the 11th hole. This allows you a fantastic a vantage point to watch players approaching the daunting 11th before playing the 12th and walking up the 13th fairway..
  • The 16th Green: The grandstand here is one of the best spots on the course. You see players making hole-in-one attempts on 16, plus you have a great view of them hitting their second shots into the par-5 15th.
  • Behind the 2nd Green: From this one spot, you can see the approach shots into the par-5 2nd, the tee shots on the short par-4 3rd, and the tee shots on the par-3 4th. Cconsider staying here to minimize long walks up and down hill.
• Eat Everything: The concessions at the Masters are famously affordable and delicious. You must try the iconic Pimento Cheese and Egg Salad sandwiches (around $1.50 each). A Georgia Peach Ice Cream Sandwich is the perfect afternoon treat.
• Visit the Pro Shop: The only place in the world to buy official Masters merchandise is at the course during the tournament. There is a location just as fans pass through the gates to minimize your distance and you are able to check any purchases that day. Go early in the day when the experience is more manageable. They have a fantastic and easy way to package ship your items home so you won't need to hand-carry that extra bag while you are exploring the course. Spend some extra time if are a golf memorabilia collector because it will definitely be worth it. Just to be allowed into that is a remarkable feeling but you can find more special items when checking out the South Village area. It is just behind hole no. 5.

Final Thoughts

Attending the Masters is less about just watching a golf tournament and more about making a pilgrimage. Whether you get in through the lottery or the secondary market, plan ahead and be prepared for a one-of-a-kind experience that every great golfer or fanatic for the sports should have.

Watching firsthand how the best in the world navigate the strategic challenges of Augusta can inspire you to be a smarter golfer. To bring that same level of strategic thinking to your own round, we created Caddie AI. The app acts as your personal caddie, helping you with everything from club selection to course strategy, so you can stop guessing and start playing with more confidence.