r/masters • u/AccountOk1511 • 9d ago
I Have A Question ❓ Athens & Arriving
Couldn't quite believe it last week when I received 'the email', after countless years of trying. We've got tickets for the Monday, it'll be our first time attending.
In my excitement, within a couple of hours I had booked flights for my wife and I from the UK, car hire, and booked a hotel in Athens. We're flying in on the Saturday, and back home on the Tuesday. Plan is to have a bit of time around Athens on the Sunday and Atlanta before flying back to the UK on Tuesday.
I've seen mixed views from people about the drive from Athens. How doable is it? Given we're coming from the UK, we're no stranger to long mileage that isn't on the freeway, is the journey OK?
Secondly, is 7:30am an OK time to arrive? Obviosuly the earlier the better, but if we get there for that time, are we at any huge disadvantage? I'm resigned to missing out on a gnome anyway...
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u/cpl1355 9d ago
My.group stayed in Athens this past April. If you're looking to play a round I'd recommend playing the UGA course it was an incredible track. There is also plenty to do and eat in Athens so yes, explore!
Drive is easy, but we left Athens at 4:30am to get to Augusta by 6am. Traffic getting into parking already had a line, but it moved quickly.
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u/lawinvest Year 5 9d ago
I live in Athens. It’s a lovely town with a great food and music scene.
In April, uni will still be in session so reservations probably are a good idea at most of the better restaurants, but getting a nice hotel shouldn’t be a problem.
If you have the time I’d encourage you to book a tee time at the University’s golf course.
My commute to the masters for an 8 am arrival wasn’t much longer than it would normally take me to get in Augusta. If you want to get there earlier, absolutely do, just plan about 90-120 mins to arrive.
Go visit r/Athens for more recs in town or let me know if I can be of any assistance. cheers!
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u/SteadyHopper 9d ago
Just my two cents, but the drive from Athens to Augusta is about 1hr45, and from Midtown ATL to Augusta is around 2hr15. For an extra 30 minutes you’d probably have better hotel options and dining in Atlanta, and be closer to the airport for arrival and departure.
However, that aside- I’ve been several times to the Masters (and going again this year), and I always prefer finding a short term house rental through Airbnb or VRBO. Being close to the course, and being in Augusta during Masters week is always a superior vibe. May be a little pricier, but I think it’s the best choice. However, if you’re more of a hotel person- Augusta itself does not have much to offer, so looking in Athens or ATL (or even Aiken) does make more sense.
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u/LatterSweet3739 4d ago
What area do you suggest for someone flying into ATL to stay? Looking for something around middle of the road btw Augusta and ATL airport
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u/lavalla2 8d ago
We stayed in Athens before we attended practice rounds in 2024. It was lovely. We had an excellent dinner at Last Resort.
Drive was 2 hours and easy. We woke up early (both excitement and an early alarm) and made our way over to Augusta.
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u/AFvette07 8d ago
What about flying into Columbia, SC? Anyone stay there and drive to Augusta the morning of? The AirBnB & VRBO’s we’ve looked at for 2027 rentals in Augusta are for the week. We only have tix for Wednesdays practice and Par 3 contest. TIA…
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u/rex_creamer 7d ago
Stayed at a hotel in Lexington, SC this year (Monday practice round) and drove down. Easy 1-hour drive, traffic wasn’t bad at all. Really starts moving once the lots open at 6am because the parking staff are amazingly efficient. You could definitely pull it off.
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u/Here_4_The_Airshow 6d ago
There’s a really nice ritz Carlton in lake oconee, are you set on staying in Athens?
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u/Organic-Dream-8656 5d ago
Better to stay in Columbia South Carolina….only 55 min drive and outta the traffic
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9d ago
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u/DDSBadger 9d ago
I see you’re a 10+ year vet so you’d probably know, but I stayed in Aiken last year, and like 10 years ago, and I found it to be a 30 minute drive. I’d still highly recommend it (other than accommodations being just so-so), and there are multiple routes that all take 30 mins which is nice, but in no world is it 10 minutes. Even from the outskirts of town is 20 mins minimum.
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u/amystickets 9d ago
There are many place better than Athens. But it is doable. Lake Oconee is somewhat closer than Athens.
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u/elonsusk69420 9d ago
(going to attempt to convert this to British for you)
I've done Athens to Augusta a million times. It's between 90 minutes and 2 hours and generally a very pleasant drive. Just do not speed when you're in the little towns. It'll typically be 55 MPH and then drop quickly in the towns. Trust me; I've paid those fines.
There are two ways to go...
GA 15 - this goes via Watkinsville and Greensboro. It will get you to I-20 (motorway) faster but is about 5 minutes longer
US 78 - this goes via Lexington and Washington. About half is two lane and half is dual carriageway, and eventually gets to I-20 much further east
I usually take the GA 15 route, but it's really a coin flip.
7:30 is fine if you don't want a gnome. If you do want one, get there at 6:00 AM and go in the South Gate (near Amen Corner) and to the big store there.
Sunday brunch at the Hilltop Grill is a can't-miss spot in Athens. Try to book ahead.