Planning for The Masters

What day you going? The one time I went we got there before the gates were supposed to open and they let us in along with everyone's else. I'm talking before the sun even rises.

Hit the gift shop as soon as possible and check all your shite. When you think you've bought enough buy more. Walk as much as humanely possible. Every inch of the place is spectacular.

We have this thread every couple months. So I've just been copying my posts from those into the new threads. So some of it may or may not apply. This is my first year in 4 years not to go.

Golf:

I played Reynolds in 2015. They have a couple options. One of the courses is only open to the public the week of the Masters. It was a lot of fun. Pricey, but worth it.

If you don't mind adding time to the trip, once you leave Augusta, you are just across the river from South Carolina. Lots of courses that way.



Where to stay:

I've stayed in Lithonia before. It gets you on the East side of Atlanta, because there isn't a ton between Atlanta and Augusta.

We stayed 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.

You can do Augusta, but it isn't cheap or nice. You can also stay in SC, but if you're driving from LA, it's probably better to stay in Atlanta or thereabouts.


Day of the Masters:

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. You can check your bag right next to the gift shop. That way you don't have to carry it or walk back to the car.

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. it's really cheap, so why not.

I've never dropped a chair, but may try it this year. I love 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.

With practice rounds, it's tougher to get a feel for where you need to be. During a tournament day, you know who is going to be where and when. Practice rounds, you are just walking around aimlessly at times waiting on people to come through. If you drop a chair at 18, you may not see anyone for a long time and it could be very sporadic. You can have a couple of guys go off in a row and then an hour before someone else goes off. It just depends on the day and the weather, etc.

I hesitate to tell someone who has never been to spend time at the driving range, but it's always a good time. I hang out there while everyone is finishing up shopping. You get to see how really great these guys are. If you went on a tournament day, they shut the gates an hour after the last putt, so you can hang out at the range, extend your day and watch some good golfers practice.

This is awesome! Thanks to all who posted. I just got tickets for Wednesday this year. Hoping to get a real round in sometime. We’ve decided to play The National course at Reynolds. Otherwise, I’ll use all suggestions for the remainder of the trip.

I can get something Winston

Is Champions Retreat open to the public during the Masters?

You can actually check your bag, assuming there isn't any rain in the forecast. It's a cool system they have and the line is much faster than it looks.