The 4 ways YOU could play AUGUSTA

The 4 ways YOU could play AUGUSTA

Have you ever wondered how you can play Augusta National (if you’re not good enough to qualify)?

Even without knowing a member, there’s still ways you can play the course. Volunteers who work a full week at the Masters are invited out to an Appreciation Day in May, where they get the chance to tee it up on the hallowed turf. The only problem is there’s already a waiting list just to be a volunteer.

If you’re a member of the media then you might be in luck. Every year the 800 reporters and photographers at the Masters can enter a lottery to get their name pulled from the Magic Green Hat on Friday afternoon, winning one of just 28 spots across seven tee times to tee it up on the Monday after the tournament. The only caveat is that once you win you can’t enter again for another seven years, which is a small price to pay.

The more expensive option is to become a member of the neighbouring Augusta Country Club. At Augusta National they only allow four balls to play, so if someone has a no-show for their tee time, Augusta National has been known to call up the Country Club next door, see if anyone is hanging around, and fancy a tee time across the road.

But if you’d rather be paid for your chance to play Augusta National, then you could always become a caddy at the club. Augusta National has local caddies, just like St. Andrews and other elite courses around the world. Beware, their caddy service will put you through intense tests before you can even join the programme. Once you’re in and have proved you’re worth hauling member sticks around the undulating terrain, your reward will be around a golf once a year. Or I guess you could just qualify for the Masters.

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