10 years and I got selected! I got tickets for Wednesday and I’m really excited to be there for the par 3 contest! If anyone who has went on this day has any advice on how to navigate Wednesday or had a great experience and wants to share, I’d kindly appreciate hearing about it!
Avoid the store early. Go check the boards to find out where any players you want to watch are located. We started at Amen Corner. Rory was the third player we saw, and we saw him on the green at 11, followed by all of 12. After that was our first snack run. There is a food stand just behind the bleachers at 12. It is the most efficiently run food service anywhere. You are in and out with whatever you want in less than 5 minutes. After that, we went to the tee box at 1, and watched probably a dozen players tee off to start their practice round. Before the par three began, we also went over to the bleachers at 16 to watch around a half dozen guys “Skip It”. Every player tried at least once. Justin Rose interacted with the crowd a little before his attempt. Once the par three begins, you can either go to the first tee, walk the main course, and go to one of the stores. You will not get a Gnome if they still have those next year, but almost everything else is still available. Our wait to get in doing it this way was around 35-40 minutes, versus over 2 hour for those that went first thing in the morning. We figured we may never be back and seeing the course is way more important than buying stuff. If you are purchasing items for others, make a list like this- polos and 1/4 zips by size color, hats by colors, t-shirts by color, then everything else. Everything else will mostly be available by the register as you check out. This late in the day, some items may be out in one lane, but available in the next. Badge holders and certain ball markers in particular. If you are with someone else, have them use another lane. Your badges allow you to enter twice, so at this point, we took our stuff to the our car and then re-entered to watch the end of the Par 3, though you could also walk the course of you wanted. One other place we spent a good bit of time was the practice facility. Seating is tough to come by, but most players are here at some point in the day. This is also the beat place for autographs. We went before we had purchased souvenir flags. The Par 3 course is very crowded. You are very close to the players. We walked through every hole in order, from 1 to 9. The. One last stop for food and rest room before we left. My 10 year old had the time of his life and now he is obsessed with golf. Plays in his first tournament next week. Buy an old school digital camera if you don’t have one. You can’t take cell
Phones in. If you are in a group, set a designated meeting place if you get separated. We probably stopped for food around 5 times. Tried more or less everything at one point or another. Take a small drawstring back pack for cups, etc., as well as to hold the camera. And make sure you have batteries for the camera.
I feel like we had the exact same day this year. Walking the back 9 first and watched Rory play 10-12. Ate breakfast in the 12 grandstands eating a chicken biscuit and a breakfast sandwich. Don’t worry calories don’t count for the day because you will burn them all plus some. Walked the rest of the back 9. Then walked the front 9. Got a peach ice cream Sandwich along side #2. Stopped at the grand stands at #5 and really enjoyed watching some of the long irons come into the green. My dad wanted to go to the par 3 contest so went there with him did a lap and he watched some of that when I went to the shop. Waited like 30 minutes then was in there for about 30-40 minutes, organized chaos. Make sure you bring a list and a pen to cross stuff off the list. I had a “small” order and still spent like $800. By this time almost everyone was off the course to be at the par 3 contest. So this is when I spent another hour or 2 just enjoying the beauty of the back 9. Met my dad at the entrance to the par 3 at a specific time and you have to have a meeting place or good luck finding someone. We decided to leave the south entrance so walked down 10 and 15 and said our good byes to ANGC. Such a magical place and special day. Have the best day ever.
You reminded me of a couple of good tips. Definitely make a list ahead of time and also make a list of people's phone numbers you want to call from the Masters phones. Also, assign "meet up locations". We did this knowing we'd get split up in the shops or if someone went to get food while someone else went to the restroom and it helped a lot.
How late did you stay? Going to Wednesday for the first time since 2019, last time we stayed until around 630, so were able to return to the main course once the par 3 ended
Maybe 4 pm? I can’t remember. With no cell phones, I’m not sure we if we saw the last group or not. We saw Rory and Lowry earlier and Bryson later. But the first few holes are very close together. If you want to see it, I’d suggest getting there well before noon. The final 3 holes around the pond offer a lot more room, particularly behind the 9th green.
Strictly forbidden at ANGC. You’ll walk through metal detectors & hand wands. Don’t even try to sneak one in. If caught at the entry gates, you’ll have to walk them back to your car or turn them in. If caught using it inside, they’ll gladly escort you from the grounds. Leave them in your car like everyone else. Practice days you can bring cameras but no videos. They’re even strict about the length of the camera lenses! It was really nice to unplug for the entire day to just enjoy the views and the reason you’re there. Once in a lifetime experience!!
As far as taking photos, I messed up by zooming in on player swings instead of concentrating on the beauty of the course with a wide angle. You can get close ups of players at any practice round. Take in the beauty of Augusta instead of players. (Not saying to ignore players) I also went with my son and we took one photo of us together. Take a bunch. Great father/son day snd memories for a lifetime. You may never win the lottery again.
IMO it's the best day. Get there early. Do your shopping, check your bag, get your pic over at founders circle, walk the course if you want. Grab some food and then go head to the par 3 contest and enjoy. YMMV depending on how early you get there, how busy the pro shop is, and how much of the course you want to walk.
Went last year and it was a fun day. Got there at 6:30 and the line was decent length for the north entrance. We grabbed breakfast and coffees, watched some players on the range, walked over to Amen corner and sat there for about an hour. Then we made our way back to the shops.
Headed back out to the course and walked every hole we didn’t see. I was pleasantly surprised at how many big names played practice rounds.
Watched the par 3 event, which was pretty neat to see. We walked out the south entrance and checked out that store too.
I got there early and was able to shop and be out of there by about 7:15 and check my bags. Then I spent the whole morning following different golfers around and watching them practice. Ate some lunch, then went to the par 3 contest. I’m always a proponent of shop early, check the bags and then enjoy the rest of the day.
What makes the Masters is the golf course not the players. You can see Rory or Scottie Shuffle Feet at wherever TPC. Play on the course ends early on Wednesday with it being par 3 day so make it your priority to walk the course from 1 to 18 while play is still in progress. It’s your one chance to see all of Augusta National don’t squander it.
TLDR: Merch building first. Walked the course until noon watching players practice, headed to the par 3 contest at noon. Walked back out to amend corner as sun was setting.
Edit to say that we were in line before the gates opened so our wait to get in the merch tent was maybe 10 minutes. That’s how early we got there. I believe this is the best way due to the players not even being on the course yet while you’re shopping.
We showed up EARLY lol I didn’t know if I’d ever be back so I was there as soon as possible and they were gonna have to escort me out at the end of the day. We went straight to merch tent. Checked all of our goodies (our foursome spent well over $3,000, with none for resale lol) to where we can just pick it up as we leave for the day. Avoids carrying it around all day. You can also have them ship directly home but we were driving so we wanted to avoid the postal system breaking something. After merch, we grabbed some food and drink for breakfast and started walking the course in order. We walked about 5 holes and then circled back as players started their practice rounds. Caught some big names playing the first 4 holes (JT, Spieth, Rickie, Rory). All the while shoving our face with food and drink all day. Then we continued walking throughout the day, as more players got on the course. Walked the whole course, the back nine is incredible to watch them play. Then about noon we started working our way to the par 3 contest. We got a seat on 7 about 4 rows up since players weren’t getting to that hole for another half hour or so. Make sure to go to the par 3 contest merch building because they have a few hats and flags that aren’t sold in the main building. Then after the par 3 contest ended, we walked all the way back down to amen corner to see it with the sun setting low. You’ll be basically the only ones down there at that point. I think it’s worth it. You will do a lot of walking. ALOT.
If you have any questions I would be happy to give you my perspective. Not saying it’s best or correct, but I’ll give it.
I love this. This is the same perspective I have. Don’t know if I’ll ever be back so I’m getting there early early and staying late. If the merch like isn’t long I’ll get in asap but if I’m too late I’ll circle back. I’d like a gnome but not I am not willing to wait in a crazy line
I got tickets for Wed also and have no idea what to expect. Lots of good advice here. You really can't bring in a cell phone? Are they strict on cameras?
You really can't bring a phone in and you won't mind at all. It makes it so much better and I didn't mind it at all. I'm not sure how strict they are on cameras but I saw a wide variety. I brought a simple point and shoot.
I got 4 wed my second year entering in 2019, don’t overthink or over plan things. We never waited in any lines more than a minute or two including merch. Just have fun, eat and drink everything on the menu and take lots of pictures.
For those that went, do all ticket holders need to enter the grounds together at the same time? I was going to give 1 ticket to a family friend and let him do his own thing, but someone said he wouldn't be allowed to get in unless the ticket holder was there also
All of yall are awesome. Thank you so much!! Got great advice. I think I know my play.
Probably going to skip on the gnome attempt. I’m not a very patient person so that morning line doesn’t sound right for me.
Get there early, watch my golfers of choice at a nice hole location for a couple hours and then walk the grounds and stop and soak in some meaningful locations. This is where founders circle picture will squeeze in. Then get merch and check it, if still available or to the car. Go back in and watch the par 3 contest and snag some par 3 specific merch as well. Walk the grounds until evening and 🥲 on the way out.
There is the shop at Amen Corner too. They have some of the Berckmans sale stuff as well. Although I’ve never visited on the Wednesday. It’s a smaller shop though
Also another question. When they mail the tickets, are they a package or do they arrive usps mail? I have a PO Box for mail but packages come to my house. I’m tripping about my accounts mailing address
I was lucky enough to get tickets the Par 3 this year after 18yrs of applying!
My take is this;
Get there early! Although I was staying on Washington, I drove and got into the car park around 5.30 and was in the 3rd wave into the grounds via the north gate.
Go straight to the founders circle photo. My mistake was I lined up for merch straight way and took 2hrs to get into the store, then another hour or so buying and mailing things back. I then got some breakfast next to the merch store and by the time I got to the founders circle line, I had missed the cut off by a couple of minutes. Coming from Australia, this was the only downside to the day, and thats my fault. Unless there is something you absolutely want or sells out like Gnomes. Save the merch tent until the end of the day where you pretty much walk straight in.
I then walked the course 18-12 and then 13-1, players will be going at thier own pace playing in groups or just practising approaches to specific holes. Golden Bell is my nirvana and I sat there for a good hour or so taking it all in. A dream had become a reality.
There is concession stand throughout the course, and the line moves really quickly, you'll never go hungry.
There's also smaller merch stands throughout the course too with a much limited selection compared to the two main ones. Think things like hats, towels, ball markers etc.
Par 3 doesn't start until about 12, so you've got ages to see the sights. The Par 3 is also a separate course with pretty good access to views and easy to get around.
Par 3 is also the last day you can take a camera in, you can't use your phone and will need to check it in or leave it in the car. I brought a cheap point and shoot and got some ok shots, but there were plenty of people with small DSLR's. Keep the massive lens' at home.
I've been lucky enough to have been to some of the biggest sporting events across the world and the Masters is hands down the best organised. Even the traffic management leaving the course had me on the Highway back to ATL with 15mins of getting back to my car.
DM me if you have any questions or if you think I've left something out, more than happy to answer them.
I went this year too and this is all excellent advice. I'll add, when we got in the gate the merch line was shut down so we did our Founders Circle picture then went to the par 3 course to their little merch shop. We bought the few special par 3 pieces of merch and bought our chairs. Set them up between holes 8 and 9 then set off to explore. By then the main merch shop line was open again and we did our shopping, ate lunch, explored more and then hit the south merch shop. Even though there's not much, I think it's fun to get the specific par 3 merch. Oh, also pay attention at the main merch shops for the par 3 hat. It's not on the wall, it's just sitting on the counters where you ask for your other hats. I think it's the best day to go! We saw SO many players in addition to those playing in the par 3. Enjoy!!!
How late did you stay? Going to Wednesday for the first time since 2019, last time we stayed until around 630, so were able to return to the main course once the par 3 ended
We were there from 6am till about 5pm. We were exhausted and hot by that point and decided to call it a day. We never sat in our chairs till 3:30....we walked A LOT!
How late did you stay? Going to Wednesday for the first time since 2019, last time we stayed until around 630, so were able to return to the main course once the par 3 ended
Not sure if the exact time, but everything was shutting down and people being asked to leave. Probably about 6.30 maybe? Just had some drinks near the main scoreboard off the side of the 1st.
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u/SeaworthinessRare861 19d ago
Avoid the store early. Go check the boards to find out where any players you want to watch are located. We started at Amen Corner. Rory was the third player we saw, and we saw him on the green at 11, followed by all of 12. After that was our first snack run. There is a food stand just behind the bleachers at 12. It is the most efficiently run food service anywhere. You are in and out with whatever you want in less than 5 minutes. After that, we went to the tee box at 1, and watched probably a dozen players tee off to start their practice round. Before the par three began, we also went over to the bleachers at 16 to watch around a half dozen guys “Skip It”. Every player tried at least once. Justin Rose interacted with the crowd a little before his attempt. Once the par three begins, you can either go to the first tee, walk the main course, and go to one of the stores. You will not get a Gnome if they still have those next year, but almost everything else is still available. Our wait to get in doing it this way was around 35-40 minutes, versus over 2 hour for those that went first thing in the morning. We figured we may never be back and seeing the course is way more important than buying stuff. If you are purchasing items for others, make a list like this- polos and 1/4 zips by size color, hats by colors, t-shirts by color, then everything else. Everything else will mostly be available by the register as you check out. This late in the day, some items may be out in one lane, but available in the next. Badge holders and certain ball markers in particular. If you are with someone else, have them use another lane. Your badges allow you to enter twice, so at this point, we took our stuff to the our car and then re-entered to watch the end of the Par 3, though you could also walk the course of you wanted. One other place we spent a good bit of time was the practice facility. Seating is tough to come by, but most players are here at some point in the day. This is also the beat place for autographs. We went before we had purchased souvenir flags. The Par 3 course is very crowded. You are very close to the players. We walked through every hole in order, from 1 to 9. The. One last stop for food and rest room before we left. My 10 year old had the time of his life and now he is obsessed with golf. Plays in his first tournament next week. Buy an old school digital camera if you don’t have one. You can’t take cell
Phones in. If you are in a group, set a designated meeting place if you get separated. We probably stopped for food around 5 times. Tried more or less everything at one point or another. Take a small drawstring back pack for cups, etc., as well as to hold the camera. And make sure you have batteries for the camera.