It’s here, so the golfing season in the south has officially begun.
Figured we needed a thread for the occasion, though I suspect the comments about play won’t get kicked up until the back 9 on Sunday.
Anyone got any tips for a first timer attending? Going to surprise my son Saturday with a pair of Sunday badges. Never been to the sacred grounds before myself, but meeting a best friend from childhood who is a wine sommelier there, so I am sure he can help with some advice.
Other than planning on staying from gates open/close, hitting the merch tent early, enjoying the cheap food, trying to get my son to grab an autograph on the range, and making sure we spend some time around Amen Corner, not sure of any other guidance, except to walk slow and take it all in.
Who your favorite to win? DJ obviously is at the top. I think Rory is going to slip up again. Would love to see Mickelson or Fowler in a final grouping on Sunday.
I’m going on Friday. My in-laws have passes so I’ve been a couple times, and from my experience your itinerary sounds good. Hit the merchandise early before it goes full chaos. Just be prepared to be overwhelmed how pretty and green everything is. One piece of advice is to drink lots of beer . It’s cheap, the cups are the little plastic ones that are awesome little keepsakes. I have a stack of them. You’ll see people ever so casually digging them out of the trash.
I’m thinking DJ, Spieth or Fowler. DJ’s on fire, Spieth is always at the top here, but Fowler’s been right on the edge. I don’t see Rory getting to the top, but I’d love to.
Ill be there Saturday this year and have been lucky enough to go a decent amount in my life.
My suggestion would be if you get there when the gates open set your chairs on the west side of the 18 green, since you’ve never been try to walk as much of the course as you can, find a good spot to watch some golf for a while (it might take a minute to get a seat but it’s hard to beat the bleachers just off 11 green and looking straight down 12)and after the leaders come through make you way back to your chairs and watch everyone come home.
NOw that I am in front of a computer, I will give you these tips for a Sunday visit. Get there early, like when the gates open early. Set out a couple of masters chairs if you have them or borrow some from someone. You can’t put out chairs with arms on them and they will not let you take them inside the gates. Leave your phone in your car, it’s not allowed inside the gates and the Masters org will take your badges if they see a phone and whoever they belong to would never get them again. If you can set out chairs on the 18th green somewhere do that. You can come back to them later and if someone is sitting there you just tell them they are yours and they move. People are extremely friendly. After you setup a location go on a walkabout, make sure to get a pairing sheet that has the start times on it that are located near the entrances to the course. By Sunday most of the good merch will be picked over, count on a hat and a t-shirt or something along those lines. The food is cheap, try the pimento cheese sandwich just so you can say you did. Like someone else said, WALK the course, it’s really interesting to checkout. If you don’t put out chairs and don’t camp out in a bleacher my recommendation is that when the leaders get thru Amen Corner and are leaving number 12 or 13 your best bet is to head to the Outback Steakhouse that is right on I-20 and watch the rest from there and get yourself some food, when the final putt drops you can square your tab and hit the road without any traffic. Trying to see anything around the 18th on Sunday is difficult if you are not in a seat. My father and his friend used to setup chairs on the 18th and sit there and wait all (**() day for the groups to come thru, I on the other hand walked several miles checking it out. No matter what you will have a good time and I am excited for you. I haven’t been in a few years and keep getting denied during the selection process for tickets each year. My connection for tickets went from $100 per day to ALOT more.
That’s awesome thanks Fritz. I keep hearing about leaving the chairs thing. Is it a struggle to get back to where your chair is in the crowd? I would get nervous trying to search for my chair in the crowd, and I know after leaving it I would probably forget exactly where it is. Maybe get back to the 18th pretty early and hope it isn’t packed yet to have a chance at locating my chairs? I keep hearing how polite everyone is, so maybe folks know the drill and help you look for it when they see you poking around.
I heard someone say to put something unique on it that you can spot easily from a distance maybe? We plan to get there by 7am and gates open at 8 I believe. Don’t plan to leave until after the ceremony. Might be the last time I ever get in those gates so going to stay as long as I can.
Gotcha. Someone also told me about getting your photo at Founders circle in front of the flower bed. Since you can’t take a phone I was wondering how to get a picture of the occasion. Heard the line is very short early afternoon while the final groupings are teeing off.
Pics are only for practice days. No cameras thurs-sun. And it’s not to hard finding your chair if you put one of your business cards in the back. 16 can be a fun spot to sit and watch as well.
Thanks Edisto. I know about the no cameras, see post above. That’s why I mentioned the photo at Founders circle. I guess the club takes your picture and emails you or something.
I’ve only been once, so I’m no expert. When I went (on a Wednesday practice round), I was more interested in the course than the golf. So I started at #1 and walked all 18 holes. When I got tired, I would hang out at a hole for a while and watch some golf, get a bite to eat, etc. The place is so spectacular that I didn’t want to miss any of it. I’m glad I did it like that.
The current plan is to get to the 18th for hopefully a chair spot right away. Head down #10 and walk the back nine before anyone gets there and slowly enjoy our breakfast and maybe some merchandise tents along the way. Stop at the range after making our way back up, then hit the front nine and get done before final groups tee up. Get our photo while everyone is watching the last few groups tee off then head straight to Amen Corner and find a good spot to wait on the final groups. After they play through try too find a way to get ahead and back to our chair on 18.
All of this is likely to change once on the grounds. I’ve planned Disney trips like this and been successful to see all we wanted to and avoid major lines, so hopefully can do the same here.
Thoughts on wearing my gold Clemson Championship hat? Think others will or too gaudy for The Masters? They sure standout in a crowd.
If you get there early your car will be pretty close and I would suggest hitting the merchandise tent after you put the chairs out then take everything back to the car. You can only buy National stuff there and it’s pretty reasonably priced for the quality. Also as far as merchandise goes they have beach bag looking things for like 10 bucks that I am sure the woman of your family would appreciate.
. It’s cheap, the cups are the little plastic ones that are awesome little keepsakes. I have a stack of them. You’ll see people ever so casually digging them out of the trash.