How to Spend a Perfect Day at the Masters

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How to Spend a Perfect Day at the MastersEmily Burack

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The Masters, the first golf major of the year, is famous for its traditions. When stepping onto the grounds of Augusta National Golf Club, however, what stands out most is how intentional everything feels.

During his annual press conference today, Fred S. Ridley, the Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club (ANGC), answered a question about the culture of the tournament. “It goes back to the beginning of the tournament and really to the founding of the club,” he said. “The real motivation behind starting the Masters Tournament—of course it was not called that at the beginning—but the impetus was really to serve the game of golf. So we look at ourselves as servants of the game of golf. And in doing that, we look to every stakeholder and constituency that is here this week. That includes all [the media]. That includes the players. That includes the patrons.”

The experience of “patrons,” as attendees are called, is central to that philosophy. Concessions have stayed remarkably affordable over the years (no food is more expensive than $3, and beer and wine are $6), and the grounds are maintained with an almost unreal precision. Even with thousands of people on site, everything runs seamlessly. In addition, the hospitality outside the grounds of the club, from AGNC’s Map & Flag, which opened three years ago, to various pop-up clubhouses run by different brands such as Wheels Up, makes attending easy.

Yet the tradition of the no phone policy makes it challenging to navigate Augusta National Golf Club during Masters week if you haven’t been there before. Luckily, this year was my second time attending the tournament, and since I was there on a practice day, I was able to bring my digital camera with me. (Cameras are allowed only on practice days, not on competition days.) Here, a look at my full day in Augusta during the Masters:

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I started off my morning at the Wheels Up Clubhouse, located just outside the entrance to Augusta National. Had some breakfast, coffee, and watched some of the Masters coverage.

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Then, I walked over to the course, and immediately had to snap a photo in front of the scoreboard. I learned from my mistakes last year and wore sneakers this year (pairing them with a Cara Cara dress and Loewe raffia bag).

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Here’s what I packed in my bag for a day at the course: a T&C hat (obviously!), my notebook and pen, my camera (I’m obsessed with the Canon Power Shot V1), sunscreen (a very mini Supergoop!), Touchland hand sanitizer, sunglasses, wallet, and lip gloss.

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As I headed to watch the golfers practice, I passed the clubhouse—and the famous terrace umbrellas. If you’re looking to people watch, or spot some famous faces, this is the best place to do so. (I caught a glimpse of José Andrés.)

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The concessions are all extremely affordable; new this year was the candy bar, center, but I think the peach ice cream sandwich is still the best dessert.

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If you don’t have your own folding chairs, the bleachers at Amen Corner are a fantastic place to sit and watch the golfers.

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If you are directionally challenged without Google Maps, there are plenty of signs—and everyone who works at the Masters will very helpfully point you in the right direction.

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While you really can’t go wrong on where you watch the practice round, in my opinion, the best spot may be at hole no. 16, where golfers skip their ball across the pond to great delight of all the spectators.

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Two golfers and their caddies walk up the fairway. There’s no set practice round schedule, so you just have to have really good vision (or binoculars) to identify who’s who...

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...Unless you are super up close, like here, when I watched Tommy Fleetwood work on his putts with his caddie.

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The atmosphere was very quiet and respectful.

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Around midday, I walked over to the Par 3 Contest—a highlight of Masters week. Here, Keegan Bradley, Wyndham Clark, and Gary Woodland, along with their wives and children, walk down the first hole.

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Jason Day and his family practiced a bit before heading over. (Day did not wear his now-viral Malbon bird outfit for the Par 3.)

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It never felt crowded—until Scottie Scheffler, his wife Meredith, their toddler, and their newborn baby arrived.

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The lines at the merchandise shop were no joke. It was organized chaos!

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The trick to beating the merch lines, however, is to go around lunchtime or later in the day—most people try to go first thing. Instead, I went on my way out of Augusta.

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In the afternoon, I listened to a panel conversation between Ben Griffin (center, making his Masters debut this week!) and Ian Baker-Finch (right, a retired golfer turned sports commentator), moderated by Skratch’s Dan Rapaport (left).

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I ended the day with a wine tasting, which was much needed after a long day of walking.

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