The Perfect One-Day Itinerary For First-Time Masters Patrons

There is nothing like attending the Masters for the first time. 

Few sporting events live up to the hype but patrons usually agree that the Masters experience exceeds their expectations. It’s magical in a lot of ways, including how everyone attending is fully present. 

After attending the tournament six times, I feel qualified to say the Masters is an even better experience if you have a plan. 

That’s not to say you can’t leave room for adventure—but getting a few of the key logistics right is going to help you enjoy the day a lot more than if you wing it. 

Many people only get one day at Augusta National. Take full advantage of that day. 

In this one-day itinerary, I’m going to walk you through what I would do. What day someone attends impacts the strategy so I’ll mention differences that may present themselves. 

Regardless of the day, I’m a big believer that everyone (assuming they only have one day) should check off all of these boxes: 

• Maximize your time by getting to the course early
• Hit the merch tent
• Enjoy as many different concession items as possible
• See all 18 holes plus the par-3 course
• Get a photo in front of the clubhouse at Founder’s Circle
• Spend ample time at Amen Corner and No. 16

Along the way, I will include some pro tips that go above and beyond in terms of preparedness. 

What to Bring

Let’s start with some basics to know before you even leave your home. 

The Masters has a list of prohibited items that you should look over to confirm you aren’t bringing anything that isn’t allowed. 

The tournament, of course, does not allow phones or any other electronic devices capable of transmitting photos or video. This applies to all days. Electronic watches are allowed but can’t be used for calls, emails, texting and basically anything except telling the time. 

There is a zero tolerance policy on this end and violators will get removed—I’ve seen it happen. Leave your devices at home/hotel or in your car (there is active security in the Masters parking lot). If you need to make a call while on property, there are complimentary phone banks on site. 

Cameras (still photography only, no video) are allowed Monday-Wednesday during practice rounds. Absolutely bring a camera if you are attending one of those days. It’s worth the hassle. 

One chair/seat per patron is allowed but chairs/seats with pointed ends, folding armchairs and rigid chairs are prohibited. In other words, you can bring your own armless chair. 

You can also buy chairs in the merch shop for roughly $30. 

Do you need one? It depends. 

You will be doing a ton of walking, there are grandstands everywhere and it is accepted that unused seats left by other patrons can be used by anyone until that person comes back to claim their chair. The chair the Masters sells is not particularly comfortable nor memorable outside of the fact it is a cool souvenir. 

If you would really like to spend a lot of time in one place, you do have the option of having a chair, sticking a business card in it and leaving it in your favorite spot so you’re all set once you return. 

Chairs are more helpful during tournament rounds when there are consistently large crowds around every green. I could see the argument for getting a chair, putting it down in a prime position early during a tournament round and then walking around until you get back to that spot. 

Yes, you can leave your chair for as long as you want (except overnight) and it will be there waiting for you! There might be someone sitting in it but that’s OK. Just let them know it is your chair. 

Some top picks for where to put your chair: 

• Anywhere around the 18th green
• Left of the 16th green 
• Behind the 7th green 
• Behind the 2nd green

If your top priority is to put your chair at Amen Corner, I would enter through the south gate (more on gates below) and head to No. 12 immediately. You need to be in the first few rows of chairs behind the tee for it to be worth it. 

I’m more of a roamer who doesn’t want to stay in one place for too long so I tend to skip the chair part. It’s not a necessity. 

What else do you need? 

If you are attending with a kid who wants autographs, you can bring a Sharpie. The only two areas to get autographs are the practice area (next to the putting green) and on the par-3 course during Wednesday’s Par 3 Contest. It is very limited. 

Golf attire isn’t mandatory but keep it classy and be mindful of the weather. Golf shoes with metal spikes are not allowed. I would opt for sneakers over golf shoes but go for whatever you think will bring maximum comfort. 

Backpacks, bags and purses (must be smaller than 10” x 10” x 12”) are an option. Don’t forget sunscreen. 

Pretty much any other item you would need will be available at the course. 

PRO TIP: Many patrons don’t realize that re-entry is allowed at the Masters. You have the option of leaving the property and returning, although you can only do that once. I would only recommend this option if you are spending multiple days at the tournament or there is some pressing reason to leave (such as the ability to meet someone else and give them their badge in the case that you’ve been holding onto their badge for some reason). 

Arrival Time and Starting Your Day

People come from all over the world to attend the Masters and stay in a variety of places in the Augusta area. 

No matter how you get there or where you stay, I recommend arriving at the expansive free parking area (yes, completely free, no parking pass needed) around 6:20 a.m. 

Traffic is reasonable at that time of the morning. It jams up a little more as the day goes on—particularly in the evening—but traffic is managed pretty well in my opinion. 

Lines always seem to move quickly at the Masters. 

Parking opens at 6 a.m. but you will be good if you get there around 6:20 a.m. If you are going on Saturday or Sunday, you can back this arrival time up slightly. 

I prefer to park closer to the north gate. This gate, as you can see in the map below, is along Berckmans Road but closer to Washington Road. If you get confused, look for the iconic water tower which is on the corner of Berckmans and Washington (closer to the north gate). 

The north gate funnels patrons to the driving range, first hole, clubhouse, par-3 course, 10th tee, 18th green and ninth green. This is the cooler entrance in my opinion, especially for first-timers. For reasons I’ll explain in a moment, it’s the best way to start your day. 

The south gate funnels patrons to the fifth green, sixth tee and 16th hole. This gate is closer to Amen Corner. 

PRO TIP: If the weather forecast is sketchy, bring a cooler with beer, snacks, etc., and leave it in your car. During potential weather delays, you will have to evacuate the grounds and have nowhere to go except your car. If it’s not raining, it could turn into a tailgate. This happened in 2023. 

I like to give myself plenty of time to line up at the north gate. It opens at 7 a.m., which is almost exactly when the sun rises. It’s a sweet moment to be walking into the grounds at that time. 

Once you get through the gates, you will walk—remember there is no running at any point on property—past the media center and the practice area. The stunning facility is worth a few minutes of appreciation. 

Your first real decision of the day is to hit the merch shop early or late. I prefer going early. 

Getting it first thing in the morning gives you the fullest possible selection, given that some items could sell out. It’s also important to get anything you might need for the day (chair, sunscreen, etc.). The gates to the course don’t open until 8 a.m. so doing the morning merch run maximizes your on-course time if you are following this itinerary. 

As strange as it sounds, I’ve always found that the merch shop requires energy and focus. It can get claustrophobic and uncomfortable, which is not what you want to be dealing with later in the day. Get what you want and then either check it for later pickup or ship it using the mailing service. No need to lug your merch around all day. 

Merch shipping costs vary depending on the size of the box/number of boxes you need and the shipping destination. I tell people the cost is roughly around five percent of your merch value, which is a pretty conservative estimate in my experience—I would actually say it’s lower on average. It’s common for someone to spend $1,500 and have around $50 of shipping costs.

Here are some rough estimates of prices to give you an idea: 

• Quarter Zip ($100-120)
• Polo ($75-100)
• Hat ($28)
• T-Shirt ($30)
• Chair ($30)
• Flag ($25)
• Poster ($35)
• Gnome ($50)

You don’t need to rush your shopping experience given that you should have some 45 minutes to shop before gates to the actual course open. 

My favorite move from this point is to get a beer (or drink of choice) and a sandwich. Airport rules apply so a beer is totally acceptable. 

First-timers have to go with a pimento cheese sandwich to start unless cheese is not your thing. The egg salad and club sandwiches are also good. 

Quite famously, the concessions are cheap and extremely efficient. Don’t be afraid of long concession lines because you really fly through the line no matter what. It’s an impressive operation. 

Purchasing one of every concession item costs just $66! I say go nuts and try everything you can. 

Once the gate opens at 8 a.m., immediately take a left and head up the hill toward the first tee. Have a seat at the 18th green and take a moment to appreciate your first view of the course while you finish your food/drink. 

PRO TIP: Spend a few minutes along the rope line near the big oak tree that borders the clubhouse. Every important person in golf is there and you will see a ton of players, caddies, agents and anyone else you can name. 

Next? It’s a rite of passage to get a photo at Founder’s Circle. This is located around the right side of the clubhouse, as you are looking at it from the first tee or 18th green, in the direction of the par-3 course. You’ll get a peek down Magnolia Lane, arguably the most famous course entrance in golf. 

The Masters provides free photos here every day of the week but the schedule is incongruent due to a variety of factors. Of note, there is less time to get the photo on Wednesday due to the Par 3 Contest taking place. 

• Monday (8 a.m.-5 p.m.)
• Tuesday (8 a.m.-2 p.m.)
• Wednesday (8 a.m.-10 a.m.)
• Thursday (8 a.m.-5 p.m.)
• Friday (8 a.m.-5 p.m.)
• Saturday (8 a.m.-5 p.m.)
• Sunday (8 a.m.-5 p.m.)

Once your photo is taken, you’ll receive a card with a QR code to download your complimentary high-res photo. There are no personal photos (meaning you can’t use your own camera) allowed. 

It’s a nice touch that patrons visiting for tournament rounds can still get a photo. 

After your photo, I recommend taking a quick stroll around the newly renovated par-3 course. It shouldn’t take too long (30 minutes max) and it’s cool to see. 

There are a couple caveats to this. One is that the par-3 course has typically been closed during tournament rounds, so this part is only for Monday-Wednesday patrons. Also, if you are going Wednesday, the Par 3 Contest takes place throughout the afternoon. 

My hot take is that the Par 3 Contest is significantly better on TV. It’s outrageously crowded, viewing is mediocre unless you are in a prime position and it’s just pitch-and-putt golf. 

Don’t get me wrong—it’s a sweet tradition. Great to watch legends who won’t be in the big tournament. Amazing to see it if you are attending with children. But if I were a first-time Masters patron going on Wednesday, I would dedicate no more than an hour to it. 

PRO TIP: While the Par 3 Contest takes place, go down to Amen Corner or other traditionally busy areas that might not be as crowded as they will be throughout other portions of the week. 

Now It’s Time to Walk the Course

You’ve hit the merch shop, had a beer, taken a photo outside the clubhouse and seen the par-3 course. 

That’s a good start. 

Now it’s time for what you’ve been waiting for. At roughly 9 a.m. or so, you will start to walk the course. 

There is a lot of debate about the best way to walk Augusta National as a patron who wants to see all 18 holes in the same day. 

Do you start on the first hole and walk it 1-18 like the course is played? Or do you start at 18 and walk backwards? 

Neither! I have an even better plan for you! 

I really think everyone should start off walking with a moment that screams, “I can’t believe this is happening!” 

That is why I would start on the 10th tee and walk down the insane ski slope of a fairway. It’s such a gorgeous view looking down to the green as you get closer. One of my main takeaways from my visits to Augusta National is just how incredible and under-appreciated the 10th hole is—its beauty is overwhelming. 

PRO TIP: Before your trip, YouTube Bubba Watson’s approach shot from the trees during his playoff victory in the 2012 Masters. It’s not too hard to find the spot he hit from. There will usually be people standing around the spot. How he hooked a wedge onto the green from that position is incomprehensible. 

Another reason I like starting on the second nine is because you get the immediate payoff of seeing Amen Corner, beginning with walking all the way back to the 11th tee and then cresting the hill to see the most famous intersection in golf. 

If you’ve followed my itinerary, you will reach the 12th tee around 9:30 a.m.—it’s unlikely to be busy with players, especially during tournament rounds when they haven’t reached that part of the course. 

This is by design. Appreciating the view in relative solitude is worth it. This is also a phenomenal photo opportunity for those attending Monday-Wednesday. 

And don’t worry—you’ll be back again. You can’t just see Amen Corner only once. For that reason, you should leave the 12th hole by around 10 a.m. or so. 

Head over the par-5 13th, arguably the most famous risk/reward hole in the world. The area to the right of the green is another great photo opportunity. The flowers are top-notch (Judge Smails’ voice) on this hole. 

The 14th hole deserves more love than it gets. You need at least 10 minutes around what is the most unique green on the course. 

Head to the par-5 15th hole and make sure to get another picture from the middle of the fairway while standing in the crosswalk. Course staff will allow this as long as there aren’t any players coming. 

Go around the left side of the 15th green and behind the 16th tee. There are a few interesting parts to this area of the property. 

There is a fountain with a plaque dedicated to Arnold Palmer. There will also be a small board where course staff are updating pairings for the practice round as they get knowledge of each group on the course. By this time (around 11 a.m.), the course will have plenty of players. 

And if you take the path to the left of the tee, you will find another complimentary phone bank. I always say it’s worth making at least one call to a friend so they can see Augusta National Golf Club show up on the caller ID. 

It’s time for another stop at concessions. You’ve got one day so calories don’t count. May I interest you in a peach ice cream sandwich? Refuel with a beer? Go crazy. 

Make yourself a little picnic by sitting left of the 16th green along the hill. This is a cool vantage point and I recommend coming back here later in the afternoon. 

Head up the 17th hole and then make the trudge up the 18th, ensuring you stop at the tee to fully appreciate how narrow it is. 

By the time you are back at the clubhouse, it should be right around noon. You have officially walked nine holes at Augusta National.

How to Spend the Afternoon

You’ve seen a lot of the golf course but probably not a ton of the players at this point. Let’s change that. 

The first hour of the afternoon is great for resting at the practice range watching players hit balls—or heading to the Par 3 Contest if you are going on Wednesday. 

You realistically won’t be able to keep going non-stop throughout the day due to how physically demanding the walk is, so I’m building in mini breaks along the way. 

On your way back from the range, take another run at the merch shop or admire the Masters scoreboard along the first fairway. The latter is an absolute must during tournament days. 

Around 1:30 p.m. or so, it’s time to walk the remainder of the course while stopping at Amen Corner and the 16th hole for another stint. 

This time, we will start walking the course from the beginning. Start at the first tee and walk the first six holes until you are standing behind No. 6 green. 

Some of my favorite highlights in this section of the course: 

• Can you believe how steep it is to walk up the first fairway? Pretty cool. 
• Walking down the right hand side of No. 2 gives a great view of the approach shot. 
• The only way to see No. 3 is right of the green. It’s incredible how daunting that putting surface is. 
• No. 4 is not my favorite hole but spotting the lone palm tree (right of the green) is fun. 
• The fairway bunkers on No. 5 are enormous as is the undulating green. 
• No. 6 is a phenomenal hole. The green is hard to believe and it’s neat to sit below the tee and have players hit over your head. You’ll know what I mean when you’re there. 

I allot about two hours for this section. It’s awesome to watch a group practice around the green—or pick a hole and see the approach shots land. Take your time and enjoy it. 

The urge will be to finish out the nine holes—but I don’t recommend this for a couple of key reasons. 

You are already at one of the lowest levels of the property and you only want to walk back up to the clubhouse one more time to conserve energy. 

That’s why we are skipping across from No. 6 to No. 16, a wedge shot away. During practice-round days, you can watch players come through and skip balls across the water. This is also one of the best holes to watch during tournament rounds. 

Spend as much time here as you want. There is plenty of room on that hill and you can play around with the angles by going up near the green or sitting in the grandstands next to the tee. It’s quite something. 

Now it’s time to go back to Amen Corner (you can walk from 16 tee right around the corner to 13 green). 

The area should be packed at this point, which is all a part of the experience. You’ve seen Amen Corner in relative solitude but now it’s time to be a part of the atmosphere. 

If you are attending during a tournament day, I would spend no less than an hour at Amen Corner. It’s not comfortable and the viewing isn’t necessarily great but it’s a religious experience to be among the masses. 

PRO TIP: Buy one BBQ sandwich and one pimento cheese sandwich. Open the BBQ bun and put the pimento cheese on top of the meat. 

I’m going to say that between the 16th hole and Amen Corner, you will be ready to move on to other areas of the course by 5 p.m.

Now it’s time for one final trek up the hill but this one will come in a different form. 

Head on over to No. 7, right next to No. 16 green. It might be my least favorite hole on the course but the green is known for offering an interesting vantage point. It’s worth watching a few approach shots come in to see how balls react on that green. 

No. 8 is a poor spectator hole outside of patrons being in the grandstands behind the green. It’s worth waiting for a spot there to get a good feel for the length of that narrow green. The second shot is completely blind and you will see why after walking up the hill. 

No. 9 is one of the most visually striking holes on the property. It’s worth spending 20 minutes around that green. 

The course officially closes at 8 p.m. on tournament days and around 6:30 p.m. on practice round days so feel free to stay as late as you can. Many will be ready for dinner or have a long drive back to their hotel so it’s understandable if you want to leave a little earlier. 

Yes, this itinerary is exhausting. Walking Augusta National is exhausting. It’s worth it.

No matter how much you prepare for it mentally, you will inevitably be surprised at just how much elevation change there is on property. It’s truly something you have to experience to fully understand.

Best Dinner/Bar Options

I get this question a lot so I figured it’s worth mentioning a few night options. 

Dive bar with surprisingly good food: Tipsey McStumbles. They have a Golden Tee. 

Great vibes: Rhinehart’s Oyster Bar. The boiled shrimp slaps. 

Relaxing stop for drinks: Metro Coffee House. Not just coffee. 

Great food: Sole. Best sushi in Augusta. 

Classiest establishments: Hooters or Twin Peaks. Just kidding. 

Closing Thoughts

I’ve been fortunate to attend a variety of sporting events in my life but nothing is like the Masters. 

I’m confident it’s the best sporting event in the world to attend. Everything is so organized and the course exceeds any expectation you could have. No result could take that away except for the weather. 

Even if you don’t follow this itinerary, figure out a plan that works for you. Have a blast. 

If you want to ask me more specific questions about attending, email me at [email protected] or leave a comment below.