TL;DR: Augusta National is a private club with no public access. The seven known routes to play are:
- Volunteering at The Masters
- Winning the media lottery
- Member invitation
- Caddying at the tournament
- Writing a book about the club
- Playing at Augusta Country Club next door
- Qualify for the Masters
Much like the World Cup, Superbowl and Wimbledon, The Masters is a standout event on the sporting calendar; its prestige, exclusivity and tradition bring in audiences beyond the world of golf.
Like a kid dreaming of lifting the Jules Rimet or playing on Centre Court, golfers of all ages search for how to play Augusta National, but unfortunately, for most, that will remain a dream.
But here at Your Golf Travel we’re all about turning dreams into reality, so we have a few tricks of the trade which might get you a round on the most famous course in the world, but we can’t promise anything.
Volunteer at Augusta National
Volunteer to assist with the general running of The Masters and you might just get yourself on the tee at Augusta after the tournament.
This, however, is a task which isn’t achieved easily; those at Augusta National pride themselves on the sheer quality of the grounds and choose their volunteers very selectively.
If you’re recognised as a worthy volunteer, you’ve won half the battle but you still have to rely on chance to start swinging, with a ballot between workers for certain dates.
Win the Masters media lottery
If you’re a writer, reporter or involved somehow in golf press, then this might just be your best bet to get on the fairways.
Cover the tournament as either part of the visiting or local media and you might be one of the 28 members selected to play the course.
Unfortunately for us here in the UK, local media is usually prioritised, so unless you’re willing to relocate to Georgia, your chances are slim.
Write a book about the Masters
Another one for the wordsmiths of the golfing world, which isn’t as simple as the title suggests, but is achievable if you really know your stuff.
Books about The Masters or Augusta National are available in abundance, but if you manage to get yours sanctioned by Augusta National, then you will be able to play as much as your research needs.
David Owen of Golf Digest managed to do just this and ended up a regular on the fairways at Augusta, so why can’t you?
Get invited by an Augusta National member
The exclusivity of Augusta National is an enigma which fascinates the world of golf, and with approximately 300 members, becoming a member just isn’t going to happen.
But if you can’t join em, befriend em…that’s the saying, right?
There are stories of golfers moving to Augusta and spending evenings in bars seeking out potential members who might be willing to have someone make up their four-ball. If you find a member of Augusta, you best start preparing the most flawless sales pitch of your life, as they could hold the key to fulfilling a lifelong dream.
Caddie at the Masters
Fancy changing your whole career to have a minimal chance of playing Augusta?
Of course you do.
A company called CaddieMaster is responsible for providing the club with the best caddies around, offering training and getting you through the tough application process.
Granted, this is one of the more extreme methods on this list, but the end result is still playing at Augusta.
Play Augusta Country Club
Now this might be the most enticing to the Your Golf Travel audience, despite probably being the most expensive; this is the process of playing an unbelievable golf course, to play an even more ridiculous one.
- The Fourball Rule: On Augusta National, they only allow fourballs.
- The Fill-in Scenario: If someone is mad enough not to turn up to play, Augusta National has been known to call over to Augusta Country Club and see if there’s somebody hanging around that might want to nip over and complete a fourball with their more illustrious neighbours!
- The Strategy: This is the process of playing an unbelievable golf course—Augusta Country Club, which lies right next door to Augusta National and is visible from the iconic 12th and 13th holes—to play an even more ridiculous one. This might be the most enticing to the Your Golf Travel audience, despite probably being the most expensive.
Qualify for the Masters
This may end up as your best bet, there is no need to turn professional, a number Amateur Champions get an automatic invitation.
The US Amateur Championship winner and runner-up earn invites, as do the Asia-Pacific and Latin America Amateur Champions and the British Amateur Champion. An invite also goes out to the US Mid-Amateur Champion while top female amateurs play the course during the week before the Masters in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.
Frequently asked questions
Not in the usual sense. Augusta National is a private club, so only its roughly 300 members and the guests they invite can set up a tee time. A few other groups also get rare access, Masters competitors, volunteers who work tournament week, club employees, winners of the media ballot and occasional college teams. The course is never open to the general public.
While the cost of playing at Augusta National is not publicly disclosed, it is widely known that membership fees and associated costs are extremely high. Reports indicate that initiation fees for Augusta National membership can reach several hundred thousand dollars, with annual dues adding to the overall cost. However, members do not pay for each round of golf played, as access to the course is included in their membership fees. The true cost of playing at Augusta National comes from securing a membership, which is far beyond the reach of most golfers.
The Masters media lottery, often called the Monday Golf Lottery or Media Day, is an exclusive drawing for accredited journalists covering the Masters Tournament. Winning gives roughly 24-28 individuals the coveted opportunity to play a round at Augusta National Golf Club on the Monday immediately following the tournament.
