Masters ’25: No Ticket, No Problem – Masters Experiences Outside the Gates
While there is nothing like making onto the grounds of Augusta National, those without a ticket can still enjoy an Augusta-specific Masters experience.
A shopper browses vintage Masters items at Crazy Johnny’s Golf Haberdashery in the Trends & Traditions Antique Mall on Washington Road.
Steven Uhles | Augusta TodaySo, the Masters application process has come and gone, and once again you’ve found yourself unsuccessful in your quest to get your hands on one of those most coveted of tickets.
Don’t feel bad, it happens to most of us.
However, that doesn’t mean that your Masters week is a double bogey. You can still get a good chunk of the Masters experience without ever stepping foot on the grounds of Augusta National Golf Club.
There are plenty of places where you can enjoy all the tournament action and excitement the first full week of April brings to Augusta. For example, you can go to Washington Road and meet golf legend John Daly and buy some merch for him to sign. You might even see him hustle someone out of $100 on a putting green with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth.
If that’s not your thing, try heading down the street to TBonz. It’s a popular spot and if you hang around long enough, you’re bound to see a few celebrities. Michael Phelps, Alex Rodriguez, Shaquille O’Neal, and Jim Nantz have all been spotted there in the past. A word to the wise, however, getting a table at TBonz during Masters Week can be pretty difficult.
Steven Uhles | Augusta TodayTBonz on Washington Road, just prior to the rain delay rush.
A popular stop for those who make it into Augusta National is the golf shop. Of course, if you don’t have a ticket, or know someone that does, Masters merch can feel out of reach. That’s not necessarily true. There are always items – usually marked up - on eBay and Facebook Marketplace. Smart, and more frugal, money spent is on places like Uptown Cheapskate and Goodwill. You can always find Masters stuff there. It might not be brand new, but it has that iconic logo on it. Antique malls, such as Trends & Traditions, also have a habit of rolling out the green come Masters Week.
If you ever do make it onto the grounds of Augusta National Golf Club, you have to try the iconic food. The egg salad and pimento cheese sandwiches are the most famous, however, in recent years, the Georgia peach ice cream sandwich has also become extremely popular. But just because you don’t have a Masters ticket doesn’t mean you have to miss these delicious treats.
There is an official Taste of The Masters food package that you can order which includes the egg salad and pimento cheese as well as pork bar-b-que, chips, cookies, popcorn, plastic cups and more. Be forewarned however, they typically sell out quickly. If you miss out, no worries. There are alternatives.
Local WifeSaver restaurants here in the Augusta area sell the iconic egg salad and pimento cheese. Take them home and make as many sandwiches as you like. Also, the Fury’s Ferry Road WifeSaver location has Georgia Peach ice cream sandwiches, but they are only available at that location.
And remember, Augusta makes it a habit to open its doors to Masters guests. That means chances of finding a restaurant, bar, or public gathering not fully invested in embracing the tournament experience are slim. Any good hang will inevitably be infused with that very particular Masters vibe.
Just because you don’t have a ticket to make it on the grounds of Augusta National doesn’t mean that you can’t still enjoy Augusta’s biggest week.
