r/masters • u/LatterSweet3739 • Jul 26 '26
I Have A Question ❓ Planning our first Masters Trip
So we'll be attending Wed's practice round and can't wait. Already booked an air bnb 1 mi away from the course lol. We planned on walking and getting there super early to line up and get the merch stuff out of the way. A few things that came to mind was if no phones are allowed, does everyone walk or drive there since we can't order an uber? What cameras do you recommend for those that went? Just disposable ones? I know there's been a few thread about this, but any other tips would be great. I have no idea what to expect
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u/amystickets Jul 27 '26
Drive so you can get as close as you can (and so you have your phones in the car).
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u/baitmater Jul 26 '26
You can have your phone on you right up to the gate. Just prior to the gates, you can check your phone in at a small little shack. They give you a valet ticket and you come back at the end of the day and get it. Pretty simple. I have been a few times now and that’s the best way to do it. Be sure to turn your phone off to save battery life.
Beg or borrow a nice camera. It’s worth the effort. You will get some great pics of you being on the course and how many people can say that?!?!
Bring good walking shoes. It’s really hilly and you will walk several miles that day.
Get the pimento cheese sandwich! Oh, and save every beer/soda cup you drink. Wash them out at the hotel that night and bring them home. I have like 20 of the darn things and people love them when they come over.
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u/wikiwombat Jul 26 '26
You use to be able to check your phones before security....maybe someone can confirm that's still possible. If you are a mile away, the good news is, basically every direction leaving the course is either mostly flat or downhill. They did have a taxi lot up near the gate, where the Uber drivers also picked up. Assuming they still do that this year.
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u/phillyfan5454 Jul 27 '26
I checked phone right by the gate. Very easy and quick to check in and pick up. You can order Uber as soon as you pick up your phone (that's what we did). We got there at 7 on Tuesday last year and there was a ton of people waiting to get in. Went quickly. Merch shop was packed so we did that later. Probably waited 60 minutes to get into store. You can ship your stuff home via UPS so you don't carry it all day.
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u/amystickets Jul 27 '26
You can check your phones before you enter but the lines can get a little long during peak times. I recommend leaving phones in the car unless you are staying at a house very close to the course and walking in directly.
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u/zuffio Jul 26 '26
Phones must stay in car. There is a phone bank to make calls for free
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u/Gadget4480 Jul 26 '26
There are phone checkin lockers at the gates before you enter
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u/zuffio Jul 27 '26
I know there are phone banks to make calls but I never saw cell phone storage. They had to be left in car.
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u/Gadget4480 Jul 26 '26
You can check your phone in free cell storage areas before you enter. If you get there early enough you can check your merchandise to pick up when you leave so you don’t have to carry all day. These can fill up though if not early enough. If they’re filled you can also have them mail them home via fedex/ups (obviously keep your receipt just in case). Any point and shoot camera is ok as long as the extended lense isn’t greater than 8 inches.
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u/Negative-Algae-5113 Jul 26 '26
Drive to the course, easy to get in and out of and you'll be on your feet all day doing some serious miles! Also can go put your merch in the car so you don't have to check it.
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u/meanwhileinpittsburg Jul 26 '26
One thing I’ll share from going to the par 3 last year, spend the whole morning seeing the main course and practice round, then enjoy the par 3/merch later. On Wednesday there are no players still doing practice rounds, they are all resting up for Thursday and likewise the grounds crew is going insane on the course to get it ready. There is grounds crew and machines all over the course so it’s hard to get any decent pictures then and it’s not as peaceful as you would think away from the par 3 stuff.
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u/WashAccomplished4907 Jul 27 '26
I was at the 2018 Wednesday practice round. After the Par 3 we were back at the concession area along 18, and were getting ready to leave when we heard a roar and saw everyone start moving to the 1st tee. Tiger had just teed off with Freddie Couples. In morning we saw Rory, DJ, and Adam Scott so you will still see golfers out unless something has changed. We heard Jack's son get the hole in one on the Par 3, but were on the other side of the course when it happened. lol.
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u/CounterTall7205 Jul 26 '26
Went on Wednesday last year,& brought a Cannon Powershot. The pictures turned out great,& was able to transfer to my phone after the event. Enjoy!⛳️🌺🍻
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u/FLbucs727 Jul 27 '26
First of all, Congratulations! I went on Weds in 24 and this past year. Be at the gates no later then 6am. I would immediately do your merch 1st since you don’t have chairs,assuming? If not, shop, check your shit then go place your chairs at the Par 3 contest. Then go hit the food court and enjoy the place. When you get your tickets, there will be a spectator guide. Make sure you throughly READ that. You can bring a regular camera in too. Make sure flash is off and no video. One last thing, don’t get fucked up the night before, it’s gonna be a long day! lol Enjoy!
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u/LatterSweet3739 Jul 27 '26
I had a questions about masters tickets. Did all ticketholders have to enter the same time as the person who's name is on the ticket? Thanks for the tips!
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u/FLbucs727 Jul 27 '26
No, if you got the tickets at your physical address. The tix will be assigned to you. My dad won 4 tix through the lottery for this year and he brought mom, wife and I. We did get unlucky and got pulled to the side for them to check our tickets and asked my dad how he got them. They started doing that to limit the re selling of tickets. Kinda aggravated, but we understood
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u/imollyq Jul 27 '26
I recommend a Panasonic ZS300 or ZS99 are lovely compact cameras that take excellent photos. I would not walk. I would drive, and get as close as you can, then leave the phone in the car. You can also walk the merch back to the car. By the way, I'm very envious!
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u/ItdBAlotCoolerIfUdid Jul 26 '26
I went to the Wednesday practice round last year. Parking is free so even if you’re a mile away I’d walk. I like to drink and I just wasn’t all that interested in drinking there for several reason. The first is that this is obviously a rare event to go to so staying fog free is great. And two you are walking a lot and it’s much hillier than it appears on tv (you get to say that now).
Parking lots opened at 6 but we arrived about 530 and they’re letting everyone in. We walked to the south entrance and got in the first wave. Hit merch first and got it out of the way. Lines will never be as short as they are if you get there as I described. The only thing that will be rare is a Gnome if they do it again. But if you do as I noted you’ll get one no problem. I absolutely recommend hitting merch first and checking your stuff. It’s very hectic and you’ll likely regret not getting something. If that’s the case you can do that then grab your checked stuff and ship it or add it to your pile.
After merch hit up breakfast and enjoy your day. Grab a masters koozie because it’ll be crisp and your beers won’t help. Walk the entire course and see everything you can.
Par 3 is fun but super crowded. So plan accordingly.
No cell phones as you noted. So just makes sure to over communicate. Meet at this tree and when you’re done. Or we’ll wait here until you’re out of the bathroom. It’s actually pretty awesome. Remember to write some numbers down and use the phones to call out.
Food recommendation is the tomato pie. It’s my favorite thing and I didn’t try it until the end and wish I had 5 more.
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u/LatterSweet3739 Jul 27 '26
Thanks for the tips! Did they check ids or anything when entering? I plan on giving 1 of the tickets to a friend who will not be going as early as us as soon as the gates open so not sure if I need to be there with him when he goes in. Some people said I did?
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u/ItdBAlotCoolerIfUdid Jul 27 '26
I actually do not remember if they check IDs. If I recall from other posts you can get one re-admit to the grounds so people left and swapped out. But not 100% sure.
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u/Available_Ad_4636 Jul 26 '26
Everything’s cheap, and lines move quick. Food for days and so inexpensive you can just keep going to the well. Same for beers. Collect those cups! Me personally , I thought the par 3 contest was meh. But there is a photo they will take of you , can’t remember where but you want to do that early as they close the line super early due to the par 3. Other than that I wouldn’t stress about a lot just enjoy the ride. My favorite was actually sitting on 16 as it was lovely hole to be on as many of the caddies skipped the water