Win The Masters - Become an Augusta Member?

[Golfingdad]

They get the green jacket obviously, I think they have their own lockers at that point to keep said jacket, and I always hear stories of guys like Mickelson and Tiger going there several weeks or months prior to the Masters to play practice rounds.

Do they also get membership priviledges as part of the winner's prize?  Does Augusta also allow other players who've qualified for the upcoming tournament to play practice rounds prior to Masters week?

[Shindig]

Do they also get membership priviledges as part of the winner's prize?  Does Augusta also allow other players who've qualified for the upcoming tournament to play practice rounds prior to Masters week?

One of the perks of winning the Masters is membership at Augusta National. It may or may not be a different tier from "normal" members (those who joined in other manners). It isn't unheard-of for players who aren't past Masters champions to play the course in the weeks leading up to the event, but they probably don't have the same unparalleled access that is enjoyed by Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Vijay Singh, and Zach Johnson. And they certainly can't bring guests that aren't set to play.

[mtsalmela80]

I don't think they get much, I thought I remember reading somewhere they don't even keep the green jacket.....that's probably the most exclusive club in the world

[Shindig]

I don't think they get much, I thought I remember reading somewhere they don't even keep the green jacket.....that's probably the most exclusive club in the world

The jacket remains theirs, at least in the sense that it isn't returned or recycled, but the only one that can be removed from the grounds is the one belonging to the most recent champion. Gary Player, I believe, is the only one to have successfully kept a jacket off the grounds.

[chilipepper205]

There is some articles about Augusta in this months issue of Golf Magazine. Gary wore the jacket home to Johannesburg and by the time someone a Augusta realized the jacket was missing, they called Gary, but ultimately let him keep the jacket with a promise that it would never see the light of day.

Originally Posted by Shindig

The jacket remains theirs, at least in the sense that it isn't returned or recycled, but the only one that can be removed from the grounds is the one belonging to the most recent champion. Gary Player, I believe, is the only one to have successfully kept a jacket off the grounds.

[brocks]

There is some articles about Augusta in this months issue of Golf Magazine. Gary wore the jacket home to Johannesburg and by the time someone a Augusta realized the jacket was missing, they called Gary, but ultimately let him keep the jacket with a promise that it would never see the light of day.

Wait a minute, wasn't Phil famously wearing his green jacket at the drivethrough for some burger joint after his last win? And I would swear I've seen Masters winners on Letterman or Leno wearing their green jacket.

[Yukari]

As Shindig's #4 post above states, only the current Master's champion is allowed to remove the jacket off the premise.  Phil wore his to Krispy Cream donut shop after he won.

Originally Posted by brocks

Wait a minute, wasn't Phil famously wearing his green jacket at the drivethrough for some burger joint after his last win?

And I would swear I've seen Masters winners on Letterman or Leno wearing their green jacket.

[brocks]

As Shindig's #4 post above states, only the current Master's champion is allowed to remove the jacket off the premise.  Phil wore his to Krispy Cream donut shop after he won.

Doh! In my defense, I'm an idiot.

[k-troop]

My memory from reading the book "The Masters" some years ago.

All players who receive invites are allowed to visit Augusta for practice rounds, though the duration and frequency of those rounds is limited by some unwritten rule that most dare not challenge.

Champions do not automatically get membership, though they are of course invited back to the tournament every year for life.  The only two champions who have been invited to be members are Mr. Nicklaus and Mr. Palmer.

No one, to include members, is allowed to remove their jackets from Club grounds.  The only jacket which leaves the grounds is on the back of the reigning champion, as others have pointed out.  It is returned to the locker room at the next year's Tournament.

[GJBenn85]

Sounds like a fun place to be a member.

[clubchamp]

I pretty sure they get an honorary membership but to play there they have to play with an actual member. Basically they can get on the course any time as long as a member is available to play the round with them.

[brocks]

I pretty sure they get an honorary membership but to play there they have to play with an actual member. Basically they can get on the course any time as long as a member is available to play the round with them.

So what's the difference between them and me, other than money and talent? Can't I play Augusta if a member invites me?

[clubchamp]

Originally Posted by brocks

So what's the difference between them and me, other than money and talent? Can't I play Augusta if a member invites me?

Yes you could but it would be as the members guest which I'm sure is limited to x amount of times per year or month. They can go anytime without a member invite they just need a member to play with them.

[mvmac]

Originally Posted by k-troop

My memory from reading the book "The Masters" some years ago.

All players who receive invites are allowed to visit Augusta for practice rounds, though the duration and frequency of those rounds is limited by some unwritten rule that most dare not challenge.

Champions do not automatically get membership, though they are of course invited back to the tournament every year for life.  The only two champions who have been invited to be members are Mr. Nicklaus and Mr. Palmer.

No one, to include members, is allowed to remove their jackets from Club grounds.  The only jacket which leaves the grounds is on the back of the reigning champion, as others have pointed out.  It is returned to the locker room at the next year's Tournament.

Correct, past champions have a lifetime exemption to play in the tournament and that does allow them to play the course at any time they like.  Only Arnie and Jack are actual members who are past champions.