Harper Lin
The Masters Tournament, usually referred to as the Masters, is one of four major championships in men's professional golf. It is held annually in April at the Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia and is the first major golf tournament of the year. The tournament spans seven days, with practice rounds on the first three days and tournament rounds on the last four. The Masters has a rich history, with traditions such as awarding a green jacket to the champion, who must return it to the clubhouse the following year. The Augusta National course is known for its challenging design, with famous spots like Amen Corner, a three-hole stretch considered the most difficult section, and the Crow's Nest, a hideaway for amateur players. The tournament has seen memorable performances by legendary golfers like Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and Gary Player, the first non-American winner in 1961. The Masters is an exclusive event, with patrons following strict rules and etiquette, including a dress code and restrictions on phones and cameras.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | The first full week of April |
| Location | Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Georgia |
| Number of Days | 7 |
| Number of Holes | 18 |
| Number of Players | 96 |
| Dress Code | "Golf casual" attire. Collared shirts and long pants. No jeans or golf shoes with metal spikes. |
| Etiquette | No phones or cameras after the practice rounds conclude. Quiet during play. |
| Notable Winners | Nicklaus, Ben Crenshaw, Tiger Woods, Palmer, Jimmy Demaret, Sam Snead, Gary Player, Nick Faldo, Phil Mickelson, Jack Nicklaus |
| Traditions | Green jacket awarded to the champion; Champions Dinner; honorary tee shot by distinguished golfers |
| Coverage | Sky Sports, BBC Radio, and a highlights package |
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What You'll Learn
The Masters Tournament
The Masters is an invitation-only event, with a smaller field of players than the other major championships. The last three winners of The Players, all qualifiers for the previous season's Tour Championship, and the champions of five of the world's biggest amateur titles are among those invited to compete. The Augusta National course is renowned for its beauty, with all the holes named after trees or shrubs present on the course. One of the most famous plants on display is the azalea, which is prevalent alongside the 13th hole, named "Azalea."
The tournament has several unique traditions. Since 1949, a green jacket (specifically Pantone 342C, "Augusta Green") has been awarded to the champion. The jacket remains the property of the champion but is stored at the clubhouse when not in use. The Champions Dinner, inaugurated by Ben Hogan in 1952, is held on the Tuesday before each Masters and is open only to past champions and certain board members of the Augusta National Golf Club. Another tradition is the honorary tee shot, which has been hit by distinguished golfers, usually past champions, on the morning of the first round since 1963.
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Traditions
The Masters Tournament, founded by amateur golf champion Bobby Jones and investment banker Clifford Roberts, is steeped in tradition. Here are some of the most notable traditions associated with the tournament:
The Green Jacket
The Green Jacket, in the iconic Pantone 342C, "Augusta Green" shade (Pantone 342C), is arguably the most recognisable tradition of the Masters. The jacket was first awarded in 1949 and has since been bestowed upon each subsequent winner. The reigning champion is allowed to remove the jacket from the Augusta National grounds but must return it to the clubhouse after their one-year reign. The Green Jacket is a powerful symbol of excellence in golf, and its presentation to the winner is a highly anticipated moment in the tournament.
Champions Dinner
The Champions Dinner is an exclusive gathering held on the Tuesday before the tournament. The previous year's winner hosts this dinner, and the guest list includes past winners who are able to attend. The reigning champion also selects the menu for the dinner, making it a unique and personalised tradition. This tradition is highly anticipated by golf enthusiasts, offering a glimpse into the exclusive world of Masters champions.
Par-3 Contest
The Par-3 Contest has been a beloved tradition since its introduction in 1960. Played on the Wednesday before the tournament, it takes place on a nine-hole course with a par of 27 and a length of 1,060 yards (970 m). The contest has witnessed some remarkable achievements, including a record nine holes-in-one in 2016. While no Par-3 contest winner has ever won the Masters in the same year, it remains a highlight of the tournament, providing a challenging yet lighthearted prelude to the main event.
Caddie Traditions
The Masters has a unique set of traditions surrounding caddies. Until 1983, all players were required to use the services of an Augusta National Club caddie, who, by tradition, was always an African-American man. While this is no longer mandatory, the Masters maintains a distinctive caddie uniform: a white jumpsuit, a green Masters cap, and white tennis shoes. The defending champion's caddie always receives caddie number "1", with other golfers' caddies numbered according to registration order.
Augusta National's Quirks
Augusta National, the host of the Masters, has several traditions and quirks that contribute to the tournament's unique atmosphere. Patrons (as spectators are called) can arrive early, claim a spot on the course, and wander around without losing their seat. Augusta National also offers inexpensive food options, including the famous pimento cheese sandwich, which has become a beloved tradition in itself. Additionally, there is a notable lack of wildlife and birds on the course, with artificial bird sounds rumoured to be played during television broadcasts.
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Past winners
The Masters Tournament is one of the four major championships in professional golf. It was first played in 1934 as the "Augusta National Invitation Tournament", and the inaugural tournament was won by Horton Smith. Since 1949, the winner of the tournament has been awarded the iconic "
Jack Nicklaus holds the record for the most Masters victories, winning the tournament six times between 1963 and 1986. He is also the oldest winner of the Masters, at 46 years and 82 days old when he won in 1986. Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, and Tiger Woods co-hold the record for most consecutive victories with two.
Tiger Woods won his first Masters Tournament in 1997, becoming the youngest champion at 21 years old. He won five Masters Tournaments between 1997 and 2019. In 2019, Woods emerged as the oldest golfer to win a major in 22 years.
Arnold Palmer won four Masters Tournaments between 1958 and 1964. Five golfers have won three titles at Augusta: Jimmy Demaret, Sam Snead, Gary Player, Nick Faldo, and Phil Mickelson. Gary Player, from South Africa, was the first non-American player to win the tournament, in 1961.
The 2022 and 2024 Masters Tournaments were won by Scottie Scheffler, who became the third-youngest champion in Masters history. Rory McIlroy won the 2025 Masters Tournament.
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Augusta National Golf Club
Jones, who wanted to build a golf course after his retirement from the game, sought to create a world-class winter golf course in his native state of Georgia. The course, which first opened in 1933, was co-designed by Jones and course architect Alister MacKenzie. It has been modified many times by different architects since then, with greens being reshaped and, on occasion, entirely redesigned, bunkers being added and extended, water hazards extended, new tee boxes built, hundreds of trees planted, and several mounds installed.
Augusta National is a for-profit corporation, unlike most private clubs, which operate as non-profits. It does not disclose its income, holdings, membership list, or ticket sales. The club has about 300 members at any given time. Augusta National has spent a lot of money acquiring land, which has had an impact on homeowners in Richmond County, who have had to apply for special property tax assessments.
The Masters Tournament, usually referred to as the Masters, is one of the four men's major championships in professional golf. It is the first major golf tournament of the year, taking place during the first full week of April. It is also the only major tournament to be played at the same location every year. The field of players is smaller than other major championships because it is an invitational event.
The Augusta National course has a reputation for being difficult, with Amen Corner referring to the three-hole stretch from the 11th to the 13th hole, which is seen as the most difficult section of the course. The course's holes are named after trees or shrubs present, and azaleas are among the most famous plants on display.
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Golfing terminology
The Masters Terminology
The Masters Tournament, usually referred to as simply The Masters, is one of the four men's major championships in professional golf. It is held annually at the Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia and has many traditions. Here are some terms and phrases specific to The Masters:
- Amen Corner: Refers to the three-hole stretch from the 11th to the 13th hole at Augusta National, considered the most difficult section of the course.
- Azaleas: These are some of the most famous plants on display at Augusta National during The Masters. The course's holes are named after trees and shrubs, and azaleas are prevalent alongside the 13th hole, which is named after them.
- Crow's Nest: A hideaway located above the library and champions' locker room in the Augusta National clubhouse. It is reserved for amateurs competing in the tournament. Notable players who stayed in the Crow's Nest before winning The Masters include Jack Nicklaus, Ben Crenshaw, and Tiger Woods.
- First and Second Nine: At Augusta National, holes one to nine are referred to as the 'first nine', and holes 10 to 18 as the 'second nine', adding to the unique prestige of the course.
- First Cut: At Augusta, when players miss the fairway, there is a 'first cut' and 'second cut' of grass, instead of the rough found at other golf courses.
General Golfing Terminology
Golf has a vast vocabulary of terms and slang that can be confusing to newcomers. Here are some common golfing terms to help you follow the game:
- Ace: Slang for a hole-in-one, when the ball finds the bottom of the cup in a single shot, usually on par-3 holes but sometimes on par-4s.
- Airmail: Slang for when a golfer hits their approach shot over the green.
- Albatross: Scoring three below par on a hole, also known as a double eagle. This is a rare feat, achieved by making a hole-in-one on a par 4 or a 2 on a par 5.
- All Square: Used in match play to describe a tied match, where both players or teams have won the same number of holes.
- Angle of Attack: The up or down movement of the clubhead when striking the ball, measured relative to the horizon and differing with various clubs.
- Attend the Flag: Shortened to "tend it", this is when a caddy or playing partner holds the pin/flag while the golfer putts, removing it as the ball approaches the hole.
- Approach Shot: A shot intended to reach the green, typically from the fairway.
- Back Nine: The second set of nine holes (holes 10-18) in an 18-hole round of golf.
- Backswing: The first half of the golf swing.
- Birdie: Completing a hole one stroke below par. For example, scoring a 3 on a par-4 hole.
- Bogey: Completing a hole one stroke above par. A golfer who consistently makes bogeys is said to play "bogey golf".
- Chunk: When the club strikes the ground before the ball, causing a large divot and a shot that falls short of the target.
- Double Bogey: Finishing a hole two strokes above par.
- Eagle: Finishing a hole two strokes below par, often achieved on par-5 holes.
- Flop Shot: A high, soft shot that lands delicately on the green, typically executed by skilled golfers using a lob or sand wedge.
- Gimme Putt: A short putt that fellow players agree can be counted as made without actually hitting the ball into the hole.
- Mulligan: A retake of a shot, usually allowed in casual play but not in official tournaments.
- Par: The number of strokes an accomplished golfer is expected to use on a given hole. Holes are assigned par-3, par-4, or par-5 ratings based on difficulty and length.
- Scramble: In tournament play, a scramble format is when a team selects the best ball off the tee and on the approach. It also describes when a golfer misses the green but still makes par.
- Shank: When the ball is hit off the neck or heel of the club, resulting in a sharp shot to the right, a golfer's nightmare.
- Thin/Skinny: When the lower part of the clubface connects with the ball, resulting in a longer-than-normal distance.
- Triple Bogey: Finishing a hole three strokes above par.
- Yips: A golfing affliction caused by muscle spasms or mental blocks, hindering basic tasks like putting and causing jerky swing motions.
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Frequently asked questions
The dress code is "golf casual". Collared shirts and long pants are recommended. Jeans and golf shoes with metal spikes are not permitted. Golf shorts are allowed in warm weather.
Since 1949, a green jacket has been awarded to the champion, who must return it to the clubhouse the following year. The Champions Dinner is held on the Tuesday before each Masters and is only open to past champions and certain board members of the Augusta National Golf Club.
In 1968, Argentine champion Roberto De Vicenzo signed his scorecard incorrectly, recording himself as making a par 4 instead of a birdie 3 on the 17th hole of the final round. In 1996, Greg Norman tied the course record with an opening-round 63 and had a six-stroke lead over Nick Faldo entering the final round. However, he stumbled to a closing 78 while Faldo carded a 67 to win by five shots.
Cameras are only permitted during the Masters practice rounds (Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday), not during the tournament rounds (Thursday to Sunday). It is important to be quiet during play. There are a maximum of two gate entries per day, and patrons can only leave the club once after being admitted.
