The blazer presented to the Masters Tournament winner is one of the most iconic symbols in sports: the Green Jacket. For golfers and fans, seeing a new champion slip their arms into those famous green sleeves is a moment filled with history and meaning. This article will walk you through everything there is to know about this tradition, from its unexpected origins and strict rules to how the famous jacket is actually made a reality for the winner.
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The Iconic Masters Green Jacket
The simple answer is that the Masters winner receives a Green Jacket. But it's not just any shade of green. The official color is trademarked as "Masters Green," and it's most closely identified by color specialists as Pantone 342. This vibrant rye green is instantly recognizable and has become synonymous with excellence, tradition, and one of the toughest tests in golf.
This single-breasted, single-vent jacket isn't designed to be a fashion statement but a symbol. It features three custom brass buttons and the iconic Augusta National Golf Club logo embroidered on the left chest pocket. The wool material is a tropical-weight blend, making it comfortable enough to wear in the warm Georgia spring. Wearing it signifies entry into one of the most exclusive clubs in all of sports - the club of Masters champions.
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Surprisingly, the Green Jacket tradition wasn't initially intended for champions. The idea came from Augusta National co-founder Clifford Roberts. During a visit to Royal Liverpool in England, Roberts noticed that the club captains wore red jackets to make themselves easily identifiable to members and guests who might have questions.
He liked the concept. Back at Augusta National Golf Club in 1937, he proposed that club members wear green jackets during the tournament. The purpose was purely practical: patrons could easily spot a member if they needed information or assistance. The members purchased their jackets from the Brooks Brothers store in New York. For over a decade, the jackets remained a symbol of membership only.
The tradition of awarding one to the winner didn't start until 1949. The club wanted to officially recognize the champions as honorary members. Sam Snead was the first winner to receive a Green Jacket, and the club retroactively awarded jackets to all previous nine champions, including legends like Horton Smith, Byron Nelson, and Gene Sarazen.
In that moment, the jacket's meaning shifted. It transformed from a simple identifier for club members into a profound symbol of victory and belonging. It became the ultimate prize for winning golf's most famous tournament.
The Green Jacket Presentation Ceremony
The presentation of the Green Jacket is a carefully orchestrated and highly anticipated part of the Masters' final day. The ritual takes place in two parts.
First, immediately after the winning putt drops, the new champion and the previous year's winner are escorted to the historic Butler Cabin for a private televised ceremony. With the Chairman of Augusta National and the host of the broadcast looking on, the previous year's winner helps the new champion slip on the jacket. It's a symbolic passing of the torch, a gesture of welcome and respect.
So, what happens if a player wins in back-to-back years? This has happened just three times: with Jack Nicklaus (1965-66), Nick Faldo (1989-90), and Tiger Woods (2001-02). In this unique case, the Chairman of Augusta National takes on the duty of placing the jacket on the repeat winner's shoulders, as Clifford Roberts did for Nicklaus in 1966.
About 30 minutes after the Butler Cabin ceremony, a second, more public presentation occurs. This one takes place on the 18th green in front of the assembled patrons. Here again, the prior champion places the jacket on the new winner, allowing all the fans who stayed behind a chance to witness the iconic moment in person.
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Receiving a Green Jacket comes with a heavy dose of responsibility and a very specific set of rules. Owning one is a privilege, not a right, and Augusta National is clear about how it can be handled. Aspiring Masters champions and golf fans should know these fascinating regulations.
The One-Year Rule: The reigning champion is allowed to take their Green Jacket home for one year after their victory. They can wear it at their discretion during this period, often to special events or media appearances.
The Return to the Club: After that first year, the champion must return the jacket to Augusta National Golf Club. It is then permanently stored in a special, designated Champions Locker Room, which they can access whenever they are on the club's grounds.
Wearable Only at Augusta: Once returned, the jacket can only be worn on the club property. This is why you will see past champions wearing their jackets at the annual Champions Dinner or during Masters week, but not outside the club's gates.
No Commercial Use: A player is strictly forbidden from using their Green Jacket for commercial purposes or financial gain. It cannot be sold, licensed, or used in advertising. It is a symbol to be honored, not capitalized on.
Of course, a few notable exceptions have added to the jacket's legend. When Gary Player won in 1961, he became the first international winner. He took his jacket back home to South Africa and, supposedly, "forgot" to bring it back the following year. After a bit of back-and-forth communication with a furious Clifford Roberts, they came to an agreement: Player could keep the jacket as long as he never wore it in public. Seve Ballesteros, the flamboyant Spanish champion, was also rumored to have kept his jacket at his home for years.
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As the final round of the Masters unfolds, club officials try to prepare for a likely champion. They start discreetly gathering jackets in various sizes that might fit the players near the top of the leaderboard. The jacket presented in the Butler Cabin ceremony is often a "loaner" - one belonging to a member with a similar build.
Soon after the victory, the champion is custom-measured for their very own jacket. The process takes about a month. For many years, the jackets were made by American clothier Brooks Brothers, but since 1967, the Hamilton Tailoring Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, has been the exclusive manufacturer.
Here are a few details about its construction:
Material: It's crafted from tropical-weight wool (about 2.5 yards per jacket). This keeps it relatively light and breathable for the spring weather in Georgia.
Hardware: The buttons are made of custom-stamped brass, showing the logo of Augusta National.
The Patch: The iconic logo on the left breast pocket is stitched onto a separate patch and then sewn onto the jacket. Interestingly, member jackets don't have this patch sewn on, it sits inside the pocket. Only the champion's jacket has the logo displayed on the outside.
Each jacket is custom-tailored to the winner, ensuring a perfect fit, and their name is stitched on a label inside. It becomes a permanent, personalized garment linking them to Augusta National's storied history forever.
Final Thoughts
The Green Jacket is far more than just a prize, it represents the culmination of a lifelong dream for the player who earns it. From its humble, practical beginnings to becoming a global icon of sporting achievement, the tradition embodies the grace, honor, and difficulty of what it takes to win the Masters.
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