What Augusta National Is and Who Can Go There

Augusta National Golf Club is a private golf course in Augusta, Georgia, that hosts the Masters Tournament every April. It is not open to the public for regular play — you cannot call and book a round of golf there. The only way most people see the course is by attending the Masters as a spectator, which requires a ticket purchased through the club's official lottery system or resale market.

The club itself has roughly 300 members, all invited by the membership committee. Membership is not for sale; you cannot explore or pay a fee to join. The club extends invitations based on business prominence, golf accomplishment, or other criteria the membership decides, and those invited may take years to receive formal membership. This structure means Augusta National operates entirely differently from a public or semi-private course.

Key Takeaways

  • Augusta National is a private club where only members and their guests can play golf; the general public cannot book a round.
  • The Masters Tournament, held there each April, is the only time non-members can see the course, and tickets are distributed through a lottery system.
  • Membership is by invitation only and cannot be purchased; the club invites roughly 300 members based on criteria it does not publicly disclose.
  • Spectator tickets for the Masters are limited and highly sought after, with the lottery drawing from previous applicants and new requests each year.
  • The course is famous for its azaleas, Amen Corner, and specific playing traditions like the par-3 contest held the day before the tournament.

How to Get Masters Tournament Tickets

The Masters sells tickets through a lottery system run by Augusta National Golf Club. You enter the drawing by submitting a request during a specific window each year, usually in the fall. The club draws names randomly, and winners receive the right to purchase tickets for that year's tournament. Tickets are not cheap — prices vary by round and seating, but a single day's admission typically costs between $100 and $300, depending on what you see.

If you do not win the lottery, you can buy resale tickets through authorized resellers. StubHub, Ticketmaster, and other platforms list Masters tickets from people who won the lottery but cannot attend. Resale prices are often much higher than face value — sometimes several times higher for popular rounds like the final day. The club does not control resale prices, though it does require that tickets be transferred through official channels to prevent counterfeits.

Tickets for practice rounds (the days before the tournament officially starts) are sometimes easier to obtain than tournament-round tickets. The par-3 contest on Wednesday before the tournament is particularly popular with fans because it is more casual and the course is less crowded.

What Happens During the Masters Tournament

The Masters is a four-day golf tournament held in April each year. The field consists of roughly 90 golfers who have met specific criteria — major championship winners, top-ranked players, PGA Tour members, and international invitees. The tournament runs Thursday through Sunday, with two rounds on Thursday and Friday, one round on Saturday, and the final round on Sunday. The winner receives the green jacket, a tradition unique to the Masters.

Spectators move around the course on foot, watching golfers at different holes. The most famous stretch is Amen Corner, holes 11, 12, and 13, where dramatic moments often happen. Azaleas and dogwoods bloom throughout the course in April, making it visually distinctive. The club maintains the course to a specific standard year-round, and the condition during the tournament is part of what makes it famous.

The History and Traditions of Augusta National

Augusta National was founded in 1933 by Clifford Roberts and Bobby Jones, one of golf's greatest players. The course was designed by Alister MacKenzie on the grounds of a former plant nursery, which is why many holes are named after flowers — Azalea, Magnolia, Camellia. The Masters Tournament began in 1934 and has been held there every year since, except during World War II.

The green jacket awarded to the winner is presented only at Augusta National and only to Masters champions. Winners are invited back every year for life and may play in the tournament as long as they wish. The club also hosts the Par-3 Contest on Wednesday, an informal nine-hole event for the tournament field and their families, which has its own traditions and history.

Augusta National remained all-male until 2012, when it invited its first female members. The club has gradually changed some policies over the decades, though it remains one of golf's most exclusive and private institutions.

The Course Layout and Famous Holes

Augusta National is a par-72 course measuring roughly 7,500 yards from the back tees, though the exact yardage changes year to year as the club adjusts tee boxes. The front nine (holes 1 through 9) is called the "A" nine, and the back nine is called the "B" nine. Each hole is named after a plant or flower — Tea Olive, Pink Dogwood, Flowering Peach, and so on.

Amen Corner refers to holes 11, 12, and 13 on the back nine. Hole 12, called Golden Bell, is a short par-3 over water that has decided many tournaments. Hole 13, Azalea, is a par-5 where aggressive play can pay off. These three holes together have produced some of the tournament's most memorable moments, both good and bad.

The course is known for its elevation changes, strategic bunkering, and the way azaleas and other flowering plants frame the holes. The greens are fast and undulating, and the rough is thick. The club regrasses and maintains the course constantly, and the condition during the Masters is considered ideal for championship golf.

Membership and Access for Golfers

If you are a golfer hoping to play Augusta National, membership is the only path, and it is not open to the public. The club invites members based on criteria it does not disclose. Past members have included business leaders, professional golfers, politicians, and celebrities, but there is no formula or process process. You cannot pay to join, and you cannot request membership.

Some professional golfers who win major championships or achieve high world rankings receive invitations. Business executives and prominent figures in their fields may be invited. The club's membership committee meets and decides who to invite, and invitations are extended privately. If you receive one, you will know it — there is no ambiguity.

Members can bring guests to play the course, and the club occasionally hosts corporate outings or charity events. These are the only ways a non-member might play Augusta National, and they require a personal connection to a member.

Planning a Trip to Watch the Masters

If you win the lottery or buy resale tickets, plan to arrive in Augusta early. The tournament draws large crowds, and hotels fill up months in advance. The Masters is held in April, so weather is generally mild, though it can be warm during the day and cool in the evening. Bring comfortable walking shoes — you will be on your feet for hours, and the course has significant elevation changes.

Parking near the course fills quickly, and the club recommends using shuttle services or arriving very early. Food and beverages are available on the grounds, though prices are higher than off-site options. Many spectators bring coolers with snacks and drinks (the club allows this for certain items). The atmosphere is family-friendly, and the crowds are generally respectful and knowledgeable about golf.

If you cannot get tickets to the tournament itself, you can visit Augusta and watch the tournament on television at a sports bar or hotel, or you can visit the city's other attractions. The Masters is the biggest event in Augusta each year, so the city is busy but also set up to handle visitors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play a round at Augusta National if I pay enough money?

No. Augusta National does not sell rounds of golf to the public at any price. Membership is by invitation only, and there is no fee or process process. The only way to see the course is as a spectator at the Masters Tournament or as a guest of a member.

How do I enter the Masters lottery for tickets?

You submit a ticket request during the official window, usually in the fall. The club draws names randomly from all requests. If your name is drawn, you receive the right to purchase tickets for that year's tournament. You can enter the lottery multiple times over the years, and previous applicants are included in each drawing.

What is the green jacket, and can I buy one?

The green jacket is awarded only to the Masters Tournament winner. It is not sold to the public. You can buy green-jacket-style merchandise and apparel with the Masters logo from official retailers, but the actual jacket presented to the champion is unique to the tournament.

Is Augusta National open for tours when the Masters is not happening?

No. Augusta National is a private club and does not offer public tours. The only time non-members can see the course is during the Masters Tournament in April. You must have a ticket to enter the grounds.

What makes Augusta National different from other golf courses?

Augusta National is entirely private, with no public play. It hosts only the Masters Tournament and member events. The course is famous for its condition, the flowering plants that frame each hole, and the traditions surrounding the tournament. It is one of the most exclusive golf clubs in the world.