Augusta

Check out the 4th to last topic on the bottom of the page

I went last year for a practice round and hopefully everyone reads this that needs info on a trip to Augusta.

First of all we drove from Baton Rouge and stayed in Atlanta the first night. Next day we played golf at Ashton Hills in Covington, Georgia which is on the way to Augusta. After, we drove to Augusta and dropped $350/night on a terrible quality inn. Luckily it was close to the course. I'm glad we stayed there the night before because we woke up very early and we were on property before sunrise and we weren't even close to being the first ones there. However, afterwards I would have rather drove back to Atlanta and stayed in a nicer hotel for much much cheaper that night.

The night before we went and walked the downtown area and grabbed some food and drank some local craft beer. While driving back to our hotel we passed Augusta National and parked across the street to look down magnolia lane and take pictures in front of the "Members only" sign. Across the street are all the equipment trucks which are really cool to check out. We also swung by Hooters and got a picture with John Daly and a signed picture. Dude was smashed.

Now the day of the practice round

The first thing we did was hit the gift shop. THIS IS A MUST. We walked right in, stocked up on all our gear and they hold it for you the entire day. When we left there was a massive line, at least an hour or two wait to even get in.

I didnt, but i recommend buying a chair. Bring the chair and drop it off at the "sitting area" behind 12's tee box. I was surprised how much room there was during the practice round to drop chairs. I say this because you are going to wan to sit to eat and they have the food and drink stands right behind 12. might as well grab a beer and some food and eat it while watching the most famous hole in golf. your feet are going to be killing you. i know its like beating a dead horse but the elevation changes are nuts there.

Amen corner is at the bottom of the hill, so when you leave there expect a nice little hike.

They don't allow phones but do allow cameras. HIGHLY SUGGEST DOING THIS.

Another area on the course to check out is 16. the hill on the left side of the hole is an unreal view. plus during practice rounds you can watch the players skip the balls on the pond.

take advantage of the cheap beer and food.

egg salad > pimento cheese

tennis shoes and i rocked a bucket hat. it got very hot.

dry fit compression shorts.

also, a ton of people there are excited, some too excited and some act like jackasses. dont let it get under your skin, every grown man there for the first time feels like a child, and some act childish.

hope that helps, heres a link to a thread of the pictures i posted on here.

masters pictures thread

We stayed in Lithonia one year and at Reynolds Plantation one year. It's essentially an hour or so drive in the morning. It's an early start, but I'm an early person, so it isn't a big deal.

Do the free parking. It is closer than some of the pay parking.

Get there an hour before the gates open, they let you in early.

Buy your stuff as soon as you walk in. It helps if you have in your head what you're after. I had a list of what shirts and sizes I needed for my friends. If you go in there and are truly shopping, you could spend an hour just walking around.

Grab a coffee and head to the course.

First thing is to walk the golf course. You can't get an appreciation for the course on TV. Start at the clubhouse by one tee and imagine all the great who have teed off there. It's truly surreal.

Don't be scared to snack all day. The mini moon pies are delicious. I basically hit the concession stand on every pass.

I've never dropped a chair, but may try it this year. I second the grand stand on 16. You can watch the par three, the second shot and on for the par 5 15th and you can see the tee shot on 17. Truly a non stop action spot, especially if the pin is in a good spot for 15 and 16.

Once you have walked the golf course, go towards the par 3 course and you can get your picture made on the other side of the club house. I have a picture there with my dad and it's something I'll always treasure. It's free and it doesn't take long.

For lunch, the bar b q sandwich is tops. Everyone loves the pimento, but it isn't for me. But I was there and I had to have one.

Hang out by one tee and you'll get to see a lot of famous people and golfers doing interviews.

5 green on the left side where you can see down the hill and watch 6 and 16 is awesome.

Bottom left of 10 is good just to see the severity of the slope of the fairway. Top of 10 green makes you wonder how anyone keeps it on the green.

Obviously amen corner is worth spending some time.