Any last minute advice for a first-time Masters attendee

[Tim Martin]

Ryan- No one has mentioned how absolutely beautiful the bathrooms are. There may be nicer ones at the Four Seasons but I doubt it. Make sure you save room in the camera for a complete photo spread of the amenities and if you do have to go number two ask yourself if you have ever sat in such luxury. Finally steal some toilet paper for a souvenir as it isn`t anything you can get in a Food Lion-beyond soft. Enjoy!

[Doug Spets]

For those coming from SC, NC and further north...please note that ANGC is now easily accessible from the 1st Georgia exit, Riverwatch Parkway.  Get off I-20 there...take a left and then right on Alexander Drive.  It gets you within a block of the club and you avoid Washington Road traffic.  New construction, just finished, four lanes.  Unless you just got to have some Krispy Kremes, don't mess with Washington Road.

[Daryl "Turboe" Boe]

For those coming from SC, NC and further north...please note that ANGC is now easily accessible from the 1st Georgia exit, Riverwatch Parkway.  Get off I-20 there...take a left and then right on Alexander Drive.  It gets you within a block of the club and you avoid Washington Road traffic.  New construction, just finished, four lanes.  Unless you just got to have some Krispy Kremes, don't mess with Washington Road.

Wow, thanks for that bit of advice I will probably use that.  Where does that spit you out relative to ANGC parking lots?  Anyone have one of those handy maps that comes with tickets that they can scan in?

I am likely driving down from Greenville, SC to scalp some tickets for Wed to pay off a debt I owe a buddy, (I am a little concerned about what I am probably going to end up paying), but we are trying to meet up with my buddy's brother who has tickets already and will be driving down from Columbia, SC.  It sounds like this would be the best route for us both to take in from a traffic standpoint.  But I wonder if all the scalpers will still be on the Augusta Rd exit as you head in towards the club?  What do any experts on here think?

Thanks for the heads up on this.

[Doug Spets]

Alexander Drive goes right across Washington Road between Publix and Walgreens and takes you straight into the ANGC free lots.

[Daryl "Turboe" Boe]

Alexander Drive goes right across Washington Road between Publix and Walgreens and takes you straight into the ANGC free lots.

Cool, thank you for the info.

[Bill Gayne]

Ignore all of these well intentioned responses and discover the Masters on your own.

[Tom ORourke]

I have recently moved to Aiken. A few good places in town - The Aiken Brewery is good if you like a local beer and burger. There is a more upscale place, also on Laurens Ave, called Malias. They have a good steak as well as variety. The Wilcox Hotel is down Whiskey Road and is old style elegance. Old, but elegant. Casa Bella for Italian food.
I have gone to practice rounds by taking Richland Ave (center of town, intersects with Laurens) toward Augusta. Richland becomes Rte 1 and once you cross the Savannah River you can get to Washington Street by going north. Very simple, just go early, before the gates open.
I found that Amen Corner gets really busy so I always go down 10, then back to the 11th tee so you can see just how far it is to the fairway. I kanw I can't reach the fairway from the back tee. Then get down to 12 because that will fill in early. I found that people want to see the holes they are most familiar with, to verify how they look compared to TV. 16 fills up fast as well to watch guys skip it. I would hit Amen Corner early to get a good look and then just keep walking the course. 1 and 5 are so difficult looking, and the 14th green has to be seen to be believed. Sitting behind the 6th green gives access to 16 and 7. Close to food tents and a nice spot to lay out and relax. The stands next to the 14th tee give a great view of 13 green. Good luck and have fun.   

[Greg Taylor]

Brian, you have to buy one of the Masters stools and the merchandising on the way in... and then I think some areas are roped off and you cant put your stool there, (eighteen is reserved for members/guests in certain places). Don't take your own, they are funny about it having three legs and no back... it's circa $25... no nig deal.

That all said if you get there early enough, put down your stool, ideally with a business card or some id in the plastic wallet in the back then you do what you want and it will be there waiting for you hours later.

Even when there are one or two groups left on the case I could still view the 18th as well... it's bizarre at times you think you're watching an Amateur tourney there are so few people around some greens. And as others have said, buy the food/drink there - you can't buy it cheaper anywhere else.

I'm jealous - it's a great day out. And the fifth green - it's crazy... I could go on....!

[Daryl "Turboe" Boe]

Brian, you have to buy one of the Masters stools and the merchandising on the way in... and then I think some areas are roped off and you cant put your stool there, (eighteen is reserved for members/guests in certain places). Don't take your own, they are funny about it having three legs and no back... it's circa $25... no nig deal.

There will likely be a line to buy a chair though as well, and that can slow you down on getting your preferred spot.   I recommend brining your own chair assuming you have the proper style.  The main thing to keep in mind if you are bringing your own chair is that they do not let you have the ones with arm rests.  It makes sense, I have seen people with the big wide chairs that people bring to their kids soccer match that have the armrests with drink holders in them.  If everyone had one of those you would get about half as many chairs next to each other in the viewing areas, so they make you take your chair out as you pass through security and if it is something bigger/wider than the standard four legged chair or has arm rests you will be asked to take it back to your car or many are just thrown away right there.   I would guess that they probably give a description of what meets their specifications somewhere on the website.

Good luck, you will enjoy it.

Do you have any golf plans around that time frame while you are down here?

[Daryl "Turboe" Boe]

Daryl, thanks for that, I'll be sure to locate an appropriate chair beforehand. I wonder how long that queue is on Sunday if you arrive at, say, 7.45 or so...

The following days I will be in Aiken - Monday is Aiken and Palmetto, Tuesday Sage Valley and Wednesday Augusta CC - then on to Atlanta for the last 3 days of my trip.

Good for you, it looks like you have a good lineup set up. You obviously dont need any help, I wanted to make sure you got a decent sampling of area courses while you were in town.  Have fun.

Where are you coming in from?  I was trying to remember where you live?

[Daryl "Turboe" Boe]

Coming from London, Daryl - the week before I have Chattanooga and Knoxville so it will be a real bumper trip! Come join me if you can...

Thats right now I recall the Chattanooga/Knoxville thread from a couple weeks ago.  I think you are coming through Greenville as well with Mr. Whittaker maybe I will catch up with you on some portion of your tour.   

[Michael Whitaker]

Daryl - Brian will be at my house on Saturday to relax and watch the Masters. We are going downtown for dinner that night. You are welcome to join us for any or all of that.

PS - only one "T"   

[Daryl "Turboe" Boe]

Daryl - Brian will be at my house on Saturday to relax and watch the Masters. We are going downtown for dinner that night. You are welcome to join us for any or all of that.

PS - only one "T"   

Sorry Mike, you know I knew that but I guess I had a brain cramp.  Sorry again.

I just might take you up on that...

[Morgan Clawson]

Brian,

I think you would enjoy seeing the course more than seeing every player come through on 18.

Walking the back 9 is a treat and at a minimum you should walk the loop of 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18

[Bill McKinley]

Brian,

I would imagine the best bet for you to get a chair spot on 18 on Sunday is to make sure you have an official Masters folding chair before you start to wait in the queue on Sunday morning.  Try to get it on Saturday or whenever you would have a chance.   There is a merchandise area outside the gates so go there the day before and get one if you can.  My point is, if you try to bring your own chair in, than they might not allow it or they might search though it for too long of time.  But, if you try to buy one that morning, there's no way you'll be able to do that and get it to a good spot behind 18. Also, as was said earlier, a good amount of the space by 18 green is reserved for members and special guests anyway.

I would also recommend getting there around 7:00am or 7:30 at the latest at the entrance.  Account for some traffic and parking time.  There will no doubt be boatloads of people there early so if this is your only chance, then make sure you're there early enough. And plus, since there's no running at Augusta, get there early and swiftly walk over to 18, put your chair down with identification on it and go enjoy the day.

[jim_lewis]

Brian:

Forget the chair. Chairs are for old folks and Thursday and Friday. On Sunday you need to be mobile. I'm 70 and I never take a chair on Sunday. The last putt on 18 probably won't matter, but if you have to see it, be sure you are on the hill on the right side of the green.
Id you need to take a break during the day, there are plenty bleachers.
Jim

[Mickey Boland]

What about the best time to buy my shirts/hats, etc?  When is the best time to do that?  Right before you leave, or do they have someplace they store purchases for you?  I'm going to Monday practice round.  My first time too.

[Mark Pritchett]

Do your shopping as soon as you get there and then store your purchases at the complimentary check stand to the right of the main golf shop. 

[Bruce Bearer]

On practice day take a good camera (borrow one if necessary) and take tons if pictures - great holes, clubhouse, driving range, entrances, bridges, etc.  And don't forget the players - you'll be very close to the best in the world.  Don't be afraid to click away when you're right next to a player, they're used to it.  Watch what the professional photographers are taking pictures of. 

Make sure to see the par 3 course.

Hang out by the practice putting green for good people watching. Past champions and other dignitaries hang out inside the ropes to chat with the players.

If you don't walk the entire course, make sure to walk down 10 and 11 on your way to #12.  Amazing holes that many people don't see because they're a little isolated.  Great holes. 

Don't rush, walk slowly and breathe in the majesty of Augusta. 

[Bill Gayne]

I would suggest bring about $20 dollars and that should buy you a sufficient quantity of pimento cheese sandwiches and Heineken. I love a good pimento cheese sandwich. Over the Christmas holiday we went to Sea Island and they serve an outstanding pimento cheese sandwich. There's a company out of Pawley's Island that sells very good pimento cheese here in Richmond. Maybe I'll post on the snob thread.

I'll be there Thursday and Friday with my youngest (13 year old) son for his first visit. He's only been to the US Open at Congressional and the Open at St. Andrews to date!

[Patrick_Mucci]

Brian,

Wear shoes that will give you plenty of traction.

Those hills can be slippery and hard to walk.

Others who have been spectators can tell you the best vantage spots

[Dan Herrmann]

I’ve only been there for practice rounds, so I don’t know about chair logistics.   We used the grandstands when we wanted to take a break from walking.   The grandstands are very well placed and provide great views of the action.

Other things of note:
•   There’s a side entrance that will get you to the back-9, right behind the 16th tee, near the 13th green.  They have free parking there too.
•   I’d get there early to buy swag.  You can then check it and pick up your stuff at the end of the day.
•   No cameras allowed.
•   Some favorite spots – 16th hole, on the across the pond.  There are spots there where you can watch action on #6 too.
•   Up on top - #5 doesn’t get a ton of patrons.   It’s a very cool hole.  I’d also suggest heading down behind #5 tee to watch the tee shots.
•   It’s a lot hillier than you think!  The walk up #8 is pretty steep.  The walk from #10 tee to #12 is like an elevator drive DOWN.
•   Spend some time up near the clubhouse oak tree.  It’s a hangout for some big wigs – you never know who you’ll see there.
•   Check out the local TV stations.  They provide the best coverage during their news shows.  Great local flavor.
•   Talk to some of the Green Jackets you see.  They’re friendly and very proud of their club.
•   Another favorite – Near #3 green and #4 tee.  #3 green is seriously underrated.
•   The view down #2 is amazing from the top of the hill.
•   There’s a LOT of pine pollen.  If you have hay fever, make sure you have your Clariton, or whatever you use.  
•   I got there very early.  I was too excited.  It’s usually pretty chilly in the early morning, so prepare.
•   Check out the par 3 course – across the road from #10 tee.
•   You can’t see much of #12 green, but the view from the grandstands of #11 green/#12 tee/#13 tee is great.
•   #17 bored me.  
•   #18 is seriously uphill

[Chris_Hufnagel]

•   You can’t see much of #12 green, but the view from the grandstands of #11 green/#12 tee/#13 tee is great.

One morning my wife and went early out to Amen Corner and had a coffee in these grandstands - virtually no one was out there yet because play was just beginning.  It was probably one of the highlights of the week - so beautiful, quiet...