I live in Charleston, SC and we use to make that three hour drive up to Augusta every year for the practice rounds and pay our $10.50 buy our pimento cheese on white bread sandwich, potato chips and a cold drink for less than $10 and spend a great day walking the course. I moved to the other side of the river in Mt Pleasant in 1984 from Memphis, TN and every years until 1995 we made this trip. In 1994 the secret was out and the next year the lottery began. Have been a few times since. Have been fortunate enough to have been every day of the week and agreed there is no course like Augusta National. So well manicured and so well respected during the tournament. The marshals have very little marshaling to do. It is like mecca, people have respect for the sacred grounds. Afraid to drop something on the ground for fear that Bobby Jones just might be thee to remind you that it is all about the fun of the game. Respect is what the MASTERS is all about. I do not go any longer, I prefer to watch it on the TV because I can see more coverage and I like, Jack, just cannot walk those hills any more. I wish other tournaments would have the same policy regarding cell phones as the Masters which no cell phones. I have lots of memories over the years, mini putters, ball markers, golf balls, badges, visor, 1994 poster #13, headcovers, lots and lots of pictures and dreams of meeting a member. Have been to Ireland and played a lot of great courses all over. Augusta at Masters time is in a league of it's own. Priceless.
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Agree with you totally Chuck, the way the patrons conduct themselves is like turning the clock back 30yrs, I don't recall hearing one "get in the hole" shout, even my wife commented on this. I would love to visit Augusta National, just to walk the course, to finally see it after all these years. I read the book The Making of The Masters a few years ago and to think at the time it was opened they struggled to attract members........


Madhatter

I was fortunate to go in 2011 ti a wednesday practice round. That place is everything they say it is. I hope every golf fan get this chance to go!

Hit the ticket lottery in 2019 for the Tuesday practice round. It's unbelievable. I had the same feeling that I had as a 10 year old kid, walking into Yankee Stadium for the first time. Hopefully, I'll hit the ticket lottery again sometime.

I went to the 2009 Masters (see profile pic) and it was an incredible experience. As amazing as the course looks on TV, it’s even better in person - an hilly! It was like stepping back in time. No cell phones, no advertising, no electronic scoreboards, and no idiots yelling the second someone hits a ball. Unbelievably well organized with southern hospitality on full display by all the volunteers.

Was lucky enough to attend a practice round quite a few years ago and for a moment after you walk in you'll wonder if you're in Heaven or a golf course. Beyond description.

Does anyone have or know about any strategy to increase the odds of winning the ticket lottery?

Apply for fewer days, more days, one day?? I've applied every year since 2011 :(

What do you think are the odds? I hope it's easier than winning the PowerBall :)

Practice rounds are easier to snag vs tournament days, lower quantity as well, so 1 vs 4 makes the odds a little better. Most badges are given to media, vendors, big business, and/or friends and family of PGA Pros.

I started entering the lottery back in 2006 when I first moved to GA. Rejected every year until 2021 when I received Monday practice round tickets, which were then rescinded due to COVID as they reduced the number of spectators. Thankfully, they were nice enough to transfer me to 2022, but it was disappointing to go from the high of receiving tickets to losing them and then having to wait another year.

All in all, it was worth every bit of the wait. No amount of people telling me that it was hilly prepared me for it. We probably walked the course twice on Monday and I took a ton of pictures. The pimento cheese and egg salad are definitely good, the BBQ and club left something to be desired for me.

To top it off, one of my vendors offered to take me Thursday. Twice in the same week! It was unbelievable. I still would love to be able to go back for a Sunday to hear the roars. I spent about $700 in the golf shop between the two days. I was told that was below average.

Tuesday and Wednesday 2014. Par 3 contest, jack hits a ball 2 feet from me and I say hello to the second best golfer ever to live. Did it with my brother and two friends and can’t wait for the next time I can get a badge and be a patron again!