I was supposed to go this year, but unfortunately it fell through, but I was told to get to the merch tent first. That’s advice from someone that’s been there multiple times.

I dont have any specific advice, but youre getting to do what so many other fans wish they could, enjoy it my friend! Have fun

Wow, what a fun time! you will figure out quickly once you park what gate to enter as well as the merchandise tent is huge so it will be obvious as well.

As far as a camera, if you have an iphone that may be perfect however if you are looking for a mirrorless camera Sony and Fuji make great cameras but you will spend some money.

Have fun!

Phones are not allowed on property any day. Actual cameras are allowed for practice round days only.

I’ve read that phones are not allowed in so my iPhone is staying in the car

Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences and advice. The general consensus here is to hit the merch tent immediately which I have heard from friends that have attended in the past. What are the prices like? Shirts, polos, hats, pullover? Assuming the same price as golf retail stores

Read the rules for the day. Augusta is very specific on what you can bring and how to use any recording device. They have no problem escorting violations out the gate, as well as putting you on a do not apply list.

Go to the merchandise tent to purchase all your swag. They have an area or use to where you could leave it and you could pick it up later in the day. Follow a few groups then find a place to watch the rest of the tournament in comfort. It is a beautiful course to walk but hilly. They have some very strict rules if you have not been. Use to go every year until this darn lottery thing came into play in 1995,
The crowds in 1994 were insane and we figured that would be the last year we could walk up and purchase practice day rounds. It was great while it lasted. Drove up from Charleston, eat a couple of pimento cheese sandwiches for lunch, purchase a new hat, watched our favorite golfer and head back home and hope I did not get a speeding ticket going through Bamberg. Miss going but do miss those speeding tickets. Highway patrol did not care if I was a state employee also. Most of all, have fun and take in the beauty of the course that Bobby Jones built. No other like it.


AUGUSTA, Ga. — The Augusta National Golf Club, home to the annual Masters Tournament, is known to have strict policies and regulations for patrons.

One of them is that running is never allowed on property.

While some policies have changed over the years, the Masters does have its latest guidelines for 2025 posted online on the Patron Info page on the tournament's official website.

Cell phones, laptops, tablets, beepers (anyone still have one of those?) and other electronic devices capable of transmitting photos or videos are strictly prohibited on the grounds at all times, according to The Masters' website.

Cameras are strictly prohibited on Tournament days (Thursday through Sunday), but they are allowed on practice rounds days on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, which is also the Par 3 Contest.

Devices such as fitness tracking bands and electronic watches are permitted. However, using the devices for phone calls, emails, text messaging and other photo, video or data recording is prohibited.

Anyone violating this policy will be subject to removal from the grounds and the permanent loss of credentials (tickets).

Prohibited items
Bags, backpacks and large purses
Knives and weapons of any kind (regardless of permit)
Radios, TVs, noise and music-producing devices
Chairs/seats with pointed ends, folding armchairs and rigid-type chairs. (Any chair on the property when the gates are closed or 30 minutes after play will be considered an abandoned item)
Flags, banners and signs
Strollers
Food, beverages and coolers
Golf shoes with metal spikes
Ladders, periscopes and selfie sticks

The Masters Tournament Committee may prohibit other items at its discretion. All items are subject to search.

Stay away from the Pimento Cheese Sandwiches, unless you have a cast iron stomach.

Best ever. A southerner tradition.

I’ve heard to hit the merch tent immediately and then UPS/FedEx it home.

Hit the merchandise tent first. You can then check your bag for the day and pick it up on the way out.

As you move around the grounds the elevation changes will shock you because it is hard to see the scope of them on TV.

Enjoy your day at Augusta.

I went last year for the Wednesday practice round and it was absolutely amazing. Here is the information I've passed along to friends attending this year.

If you are intending on purchasing any merch, park in the north lots off Washington. Get there around 6am (it's the Masters, are you going to sleep in?) because the first set of gates opens at 7am. The first set of gates gives you access to the practice area and the Merch building. The second set of gates opens up to the course at 8am.

As for the merch building, they will have bags for you and if you're anything like everyone else in there, all logic and fiscal responsibility will go out the window and you'll fill it up. Gnomes come in 2 sizes + a Christmas ornament last year. The big one is limited to 1 per person, per visit. They have plenty of them if you are there first thing in the morning, so grab one then. Last year there were in the first room to the right as you enter and they had employees ready to hand you one so as to prevent people free for all grabbing them all.

Don't let size stop you from building anything like the chairs as they have an incredibly efficient shipping service in the building next door. As is tradition, nothing at ANGC is priced to gouge, so buy anything that looks fun (they make great gifts if you decide you don't want them) and get in the line for shipping when you leave the Merch building. Employees will be there to direct you, so you really can't screw it up even if you tried.

Once you've done your shopping and shipping, the gates should be open. Cameras are allowed on Mon-Wed BUT NOT PHONES so the previous advice of using your iPhone should be corrected to prevent you the embarrassment of being kindly but firmly asked to leave the grounds. Take multiple camera batteries and memory cards with you and fill them up! There's no bad picture you can take.

Lastly, they have courtesy phones sprinkled around the course as well as in the main concession area near the merch building. Do yourself a favor and spend time writing out the names and phone numbers of people you'd like to call and put that in your wallet (because you wont have your phone with you). Also, give them a heads up that you'll be calling from ANGC because when you call them, the Caller ID displays as either THE MASTERS or AUGUSTA NATIONAL GOLF CLUB. They'll want to be ready so they can screen shot that Augusta was calling to offer them membership!

The day goes buy very quickly so soak in as much as you can and my best bit of advice is to try and finish your day at Amen Corner. It;s pretty quiet in the late afternoon so it's the perfect time to get photos without all the crowd in the way. There's a concession stand directly behind the seating area behind 12 tee, making it a great spot to grab a few beers and just soak in one of the most memorable holes in all of golf. Beer sales stop at 5p if I recall correctly, so be sure to stop in and grab a few then take them over to the seats and just enjoy it. Also do yourself a favor and walk down the left side of 10 to really take in the scale of the slope on that hole and then take the tiny path to stand directly behind 11 tee. That's one of the most intimidating tee shots I've ever seen. We just stood back there and laughed.

Have a blast!

Awesome advice. I hopefully someday will win the lottery and get to attend

I have a buddy of mine who won 4 tickets and invited myself and 2 others. There is always hope.

I'm also going for the first time on Tuesday. Buddy of mine went last year and his advice was to get there early to hit the merchandise tent as you go in. I believe everything is cashless so make sure you have room on your credit card! Buy anything you like as it will sell on or be welcome as gifts if you decide you don't want to keep it. Check everything outside the tent for collection later or shipping to your home. Get a flag and try to get autographs at the practise ground. Make sure to get a free photo outside the clubhouse that will be emailed to you for digital download, what a great screen saver! No phones but take a camera and go nuts taking pictures. Hit the concession stands and try the breakfast and BBQ sandwiches plus the Peach Ice Cream, plus the Crows Nest beer and save the cups as a souvenir. You can take a small backpack in for sunscreen, a waterproof layer and more batteries/memory cards for your camera. Wear comfortable footwear like sneakers/trainers, it's very hilly and a long walk round. Good viewing spots are being the 9th, 16th tee or green, Amen Corner of course, 8th tee to watch the guys bomb their drives, many others. Fingers crossed there are no weather issues! That's my only concern. Let's hope we both have an awesome day!

In my opinion - I would hit the merch tent first , ship or pick up later . I would then spend about 30mins at the practice area. From there I would walk the whole course from 1 - 18 and then decide which hole or holes you want to focus on

Thank you all very much. Much to my surprise I was actually picked in the lottery this year, so it IS REAL! Wednesday practice and Par 3 tournament. Definitlely a buck list trip. Taking a life long friend who lives in NC. Putting on my most comfortable shoes, and preparing the credit card

Went in '23, and got my merch in the middle of the day... couple things :
While the merch lines look long, they cycle through pretty quickly, so don't let it deter you from getting in line.
By all means DO get your merch early, they can either store it for the day, but ideally, use their shipping option. For me travelling from Canada, it was a pain to find a place for the folding chairs, umbrella etc..

peach ice cream sandwiches are damn fine, egg salad is a must try... the beer is pretty great, keep the cups, neat moments, have one on my desk.

Above all, ENJOY the scenery!!

Oh and I forgot my best bit of advice. BRING ALLERGY PILLS AND TAKE THEM!

The pollen is unlike anything I've ever experienced in my life and I was so glad to have many allergy pills at the ready to share with the others in my group. You do have 1 in-and-out privilege, so you can go back to your car and drop things off or rest up in the AC before going back in.

You will definitely want to get your merchandise first, and be prepared for a LOT of people in there. I have been lucky enough to attend twice, once before and after the new merchandise center opened. Both times it was pretty much shoulder to shoulder with people...but manageable, and plenty of staff to assist with sizing, etc. ENJOY!!!

Oh, do not forget it is no see ums in the South. If you are not familiar with them. They are little black gnats, you can see them they have teeth and they bite. Deet 50+ insect repellent works best. They are real bad in the early morning/evening. Collect enough of them and protein to you pimento cheese sandwich. Not really. They will fill every orifice in your body they can find. Guys/gals, just go and enjoy yourselves. Next weekend is Hilton Head, the largest party in S Carolina.

Get there EARLY, park on site, enter when it opens and hit the merchandise tent first. The efficiency shames Disney’s operation. They will ship your purchases for an extra 10%…do it. Get your picture taken in front of the clubhouse (free, professional). Then we hit the back nine, in reverse order. Bring your walking shoes. Them hills are for real!