Any last minute advice for a first-time Masters attendee

[Scott Szabo]

It's almost here - my first visit to the famed Augusta National Golf Club.  Do any of you have any advice as to what to see, where to eat, anything special, etc.?

I'm only going for two days, and want to take as much in as possible as I don't know if I'll ever get to go back.

[John Kavanaugh]

Get a good nights sleep.  I made the mistake of staying out too late the day before and ended up more tired than I have ever been in my life.  Near nine fairway makes a nice place to lay down as the ground seems to slope at 45 deg.  You will not believe how much work it takes to walk around the property and see every thing you want.  note: Don't wear your golf shoes as it is a good sign of being an idiot.

[Dan Boerger]

I've been a couple of times. I would recommend walking the course backwards first. Really a great way to acquaint yourself with the property. Have fun ... I'm jelous!

[Ken Moum]

I recommend going to the pro shop when you get there, and then dropping your booty at the checkstand nearby so you con't have to lug it around the course. (If you wait to shop until you leave, the lines will be long and painful)

Go ahead and buy a pimento cheese sandwich, but I don't recommend eating it.

Be prepared for hiking the hills. You've heard that it's hillier than you thought, but even that didn't prepare me for the climb up to the clubhouse.

K

[Scott Szabo]

Thanks for the info guys.  I was wondering about getting a few items from the pro shop right away, but didn't want to lug it all over the course.

Any places to get a good steak nearby?  We will be staying in Aiken.

As for the walk, I have walked numerous rounds with the players at Castle Pines, and don't think Augusta will be nearly as difficult as that.  Hopefully I'm not wrong.

[John Kavanaugh]

Careful about buying too much merchandise.  You will find yourself both feeling and looking ridiculous when you put the stuff on and step out in public.

[Scott Szabo]

Careful about buying too much merchandise.  You will find yourself both feeling and looking ridiculous when you put the stuff on and step out in public.

John,

Not sure what merchandise is available, but I'll probably buy a few shirts, a hat but not much more.  A scorecard would be nice, but I'm not sure exactly what is available.

The hard part for me is not knowing whether I'll be back in the future or not.  That would likely play a big part as to how much I would buy.

Scott

[John Kavanaugh]

What would be impressive is if ANGC had shirts or hats made only for people who actually play the course.  If I wanted something cool from a course that I have not played I would go to ebay and buy a Pine Valley shirt.  note:  I do own a shirt from my one visit as a spectator but more importantly still have the tickets from the famous 1997 event.  Has it really only been 10 years since Tiger won his first...seems like a lifetime.

[Tim Leahy]

I loved it behind the 7th green and right of the 15th fairway. You can see multiple holes from there and have a great angle on shots to the green and long drives on 15 with shots at the green in two. Also don't miss dinner at T Bones accross the street, at nignt you will see alot of pros in there, great steaks.

[Geoffrey Childs]

What would be impressive is if ANGC had shirts or hats made only for people who actually play the course.  If I wanted something cool from a course that I have not played I would go to ebay and buy a Pine Valley shirt.  note:  I do own a shirt from my one visit as a spectator but more importantly still have the tickets from the famous 1997 event.  Has it really only been 10 years since Tiger won his first...seems like a lifetime.

Goodness John I was there in 1997 too.  My one and only visit so far.  Could we have met?  

Good advice so far.  I would walk the whole course first and take in the groups that play as you stop for a short time to see the play from each tee, approach and green.  Then you have a feel for the place.  Afterwards, pick a spot of interest and stay for a good while.  Do that for a few different places and you get an idea of the challenges of each while seeing a bunch of players.  I enjoyed #3 approach and green, 11 approach and 12 tee as well as 4 and 5. 14 green is amazing and if you hang out you will see some wild putts.  8 is great fun as well.

The merchandise and food is very reasonable but like John I feel a bit odd wearing AN shirts and hats. I'll still wear the Augusta green shirt on rare occasion - the hat is long gone. My best posession is the badge.

The "patrons" are great and the place is run better then any event I've ever been to.  When you pick a spot to spectate it is likely that there will be empty chairs from folks who left them there (no one would dare steal at AN) so just have a seat and if someone returns to claim their spot they will just tap you on the shoulder.  Its very civil.

Most of all - ENJOY!!!!

[John Kavanaugh]

Remember Davis Love and Justin Leonard still hitting persimon drivers in 97?  I can't believe that was only 10 years ago.

[Geoffrey Childs]

Remember Davis Love and Justin Leonard still hitting persimon drivers in 97?  I can't believe that was only 10 years ago.

Yes I  do.  Then watched Tiger bomb it down the right side of #11 and hit a little sand wedge in while taking the water totally out of play.

[Daryl David]

I would echo Tim's advice.  Stand by the 7th green.  You see some amazing shots as the players try to keep it from spinning off the green.  There are some impossible bunker shots for those that fly the green.  One year I saw Norman have to hit out sideways and then chip back onto the green because there was no way to hit to the pin.

[Scott Szabo]

I would echo Tim's advice.  Stand by the 7th green.  You see some amazing shots as the players try to keep it from spinning off the green.  There are some impossible bunker shots for those that fly the green.  One year I saw Norman have to hit out sideways and then chip back onto the green because there was no way to hit to the pin.

Daryl,

Does this still apply?  I thought they lengthened the hole to about 450, which would lend itself to much longer approaches.

Scott

[cary lichtenstein]

What would be impressive is if ANGC had shirts or hats made only for people who actually play the course.  If I wanted something cool from a course that I have not played I would go to ebay and buy a Pine Valley shirt.  note:  I do own a shirt from my one visit as a spectator but more importantly still have the tickets from the famous 1997 event.  Has it really only been 10 years since Tiger won his first...seems like a lifetime.

They do in the pro shop which is open only to members and their guests when playing

[Andy Doyle]

Scott:

Here's what I wrote a couple of years ago on this topic.  I think it still applies pretty well (some of it specific to practice round days):

Don:

Some buddies and I have been going to practice rounds on and off for about 10 years.  I'm heading down tomorrow (Monday) for the first time in 3 years.  We've been shut out in the lottery, but finally got tickets again this year.

First of all, some general suggestions:

1.  I don't know where you are staying or driving in from, but avoid Washington Road if possible.  We drive in from Atlanta and take the Wheeler Road exit - this route winds through some residential neighborhoods and brings you to the SW corner of the property where there is a large parking lot.  Washington Road is very congested.

2.  Go early.  The gates open at 8 am - you will want to maximize your time inside the gates.

3.  ANGC provides free parking with your ticket - don't fall for the lots, front yards, etc where people charge you to park.  You will only need these if you don't follow #2 - the ANGC lots do fill up & if you get there late you will have to find alternate parking.

4.  If you are going to buy souvenirs (and who isn't), do it first.  There are large merchandise stores right inside the main entrances - go directly there, buy your stuff, and either check it or run it back out to the car.  It is impossible to get inside these stores at the end of the day & you can't get this stuff anywhere else.

5.  Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to walk.  The property is much hillier than it appears on TV.  If you are going to walk most of the course, be prepared for a fairly strenuous day.

Now you're ready to head out onto the course.  Just inside the gates will be boards showing you who is out on the course.  If you want to see certain players, this may dictate where you go.  I like to see the players, but my main interest when I go is to walk around and look at the course.
We usually walk the course backwards - this allows us to see the course and a maximum number of players.

Some specific areas of interest:

#1 Tee - it's cool to hear the players introduced & watch them hit their drives on #1.  The big scoreboard is over on the right, and you're near the clubhouse.  This is also a good spot later in the day - many players conduct interviews under the big oak tree by the clubhouse.

Near #1 Tee you are also near #9 green, #18 green and the practice putting green.  Also near by is the tee for #10 and the cabins.

Go down behind #3 green & watch players practice chipping back up onto this green.  You will also be able to see players teeing off on #4 right behind you.

Go down to #4 green & watch the players try to stop a long iron on this green - you can get pretty close to this green.  The tee on #5 is also very close.

#5 green is spectacular - huge undulations in front.  Sit on the hill on #6 and watch the players hit it over your head on this par 3.

Stand by the landing area on #8 and marvel at how Ernie Els hit this green in 2 with an iron.

Go up to #9 and watch players try not to spin their approach shot back off the green.  

Go down to the landing area on #10 and watch how far a well hit draw will go down the hill, and how hard the approach shot is if you hit it straight or right.  Check out the only MacKenzie bunker left on the course.

Go down to Amen Corner.  Probably the best spot is right behind the tee on #12.  Unfortunately, you can't get very close to the 11th or 12th green or the 13th tee.  This area does get pretty congested.

Two good places to go on #13 are near the group of trees out past the landing area - you can see the players drive the ball straight towards you trying to draw it, and drives that fail to do so often wind up here.  The other place is down by the layup area.  You can't get very close to the green & it can get very congested down there by the 14 tee.

I also like the landing area on #15, watching players going for the green in 2.  There is a big grandstand on 15 green - if you sit high you can also look behind you and see the tee on 16.  You can get right behind the tee on #16 - watch the players skip tee shots across the water.

Check out the 17th green and look at how narrow the driving chute on #18 is now.  Go out to the landing area on 18 and imagine that approach shot - it much more uphill than it appears on TV.

If you have time, take a quick look at the par 3 course - it's really cool.  I'm not sure if they let you down there on Tuesday.

Be astounded at how gorgeous this place is.  Try to find a weed - anywhere.  Be amazed that you are at one of the biggest sporting events in the world and there is zero corporate presence - none.  Marvel over getting a chicken sandwich, chips and a beer - and it costs you about $4 - total.  Try to wipe the goofy grin off your face.

I know ANGC gets criticized here for departures from the original design and the over-the-top maintenance practices, but it is an incredible place.  Enjoy.

Andy

BTW - we are supposed to have awesome weather on Monday and Tuesday!

[Scott Szabo]

Thanks Andy.

Any info on driving in from Aiken?

Scott

[Andy Doyle]

Not from me - I always come in from the Atlanta side.

Andy

[ed_getka]

Scott,
   I think with Andy's last post you are pretty much covered. My two favorite greens to watch play at are #5 and #14. Walk the course once to get your bearings. Do the seat thing that was recommended.
   Merchandise isn't cheap, but food and drink are a good bargain relative to most other sporting events.
   What days are you there?

[Andy Doyle]

An additional observation to the "put your folding chair down somewhere" strategy.  The "patrons" are in fact very polite and will not bother it.

Last year we saw 2 folding chairs at the outside of the landing area of #13.  The owners had written on the chairs in thick black marker "Please feel free to use our chairs until we return."

It's an awesome event.

Andy

[ed_getka]

Andy,
   Cool story about the seats.
     

[Voytek Wilczak]

Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly. I was there 2 years ago for practice rounds and it was quite chilly in the morning and quite hot in the afternoon, with the sun beating down.

I was glad I wore shorts (and had a hat), even though I froze my a$$ in the morning.

[Daryl "Turboe" Boe]

Also I disagree with Barney above, I always wear my golf shoes it makes it much easier walking up the slopes (especially on years where the grass is damp).  There was one year where people were slipping all over the place, but not those who had spikes.  I just try to wear something dark colored and subdued if you are concious of not wanting people to notice you have spikes on.  If it is bone dry then you probably dont need them, but if it is wet is sure is handy.

Whatever you do dont wear those black and white wing-tip models that Barney probably was thinking about.

[Scott Szabo]

Scott,
   I think with Andy's last post you are pretty much covered. My two favorite greens to watch play at are #5 and #14. Walk the course once to get your bearings. Do the seat thing that was recommended.
   Merchandise isn't cheap, but food and drink are a good bargain relative to most other sporting events.
   What days are you there?

Ed,

I have practice round tickets for Tuesday only.  We will be in the area late Monday afternoon and will be leaving late morning on Wednesday.  I am a CPA, and with the tax deadline, it is difficult for me to take much more time off than that, unfortunately.

Scott

[Andy Doyle]

Scott:

I love the practice rounds and I think Tuesday is the best day.  If you want to see Tiger get to the course EARLY.  Park and be at the gate when they open at 8 am.  Chances are he will have already played 2-4 holes by 8 am.

They don't have official pairing sheets for the practice rounds.  Just past the merchandise building is a board that they will put the players on the course & what time they teed off for the practice rounds.  Based upon that time you can figure out where they might be on the course.

Last year we camped out behind the new tee on #11 waiting for Tiger - only to have him pack it in after only playing the front nine.  

I also prefer to wear golf shoes to a tournament.  I have a pair that look like sneakers - I like the waterproofness and the traction when it's wet.

Andy