The Masters is one of the quirkiest events in sports with rules and traditions not seen anywhere else

Cork GainesApr 7, 2022, 00:38 IST

A tradition unlike any other.Patrick Smith/Getty Images

The Masters is one of the best sports events in the world.
Some of what makes the Masters so great is the quirky traditions found only at Augusta National.

Food prices are ridiculously low.

Masters food concessions menu.Andrew Redington/Getty Images

Tipping is banned.

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Cell phones are prohibited at all times and cameras are not permitted during the tournament.

Andrew Redington/Getty Images

It's one of the only places in the U.S. where there are long lines for payphones.

Masters patrons must use pay phones provided by Augusta National.NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty Images

There's a huge fence around the course to keep out animals. There has been one deer sighting in the last 65 years and visitors often talk of never seeing a single squirrel.

Scott Halleran/Getty Images

There's a huge fence around the course to keep out animals. There has been one deer sighting in the last 65 years and visitors often talk of never seeing a single squirrel.

Birds are also mysteriously rarely seen at Augusta National. Bird sounds are heard during television broadcasts, but there is a rumor that those sounds are artificial.

Andrew Redington/Allsport

The lakes are also reportedly artificially enhanced to look immaculate on TV. Golf Digest tested the water on one hole in 1996 and found food dye.

JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images

But like many golf courses, there is good fishing at Augusta National. The players, though, don't like to talk about it because it is forbidden.

The 12th hole at the Masters.Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Only 4 minutes of commercials per hour are allowed during the broadcast.

A CBS TV camera at the MastersRob Brown/Augusta National via Getty Images

TV commentators are not allowed to refer to fans as "fans" or "spectators." They are to be called "patrons." In fact, weekly passes to the Masters are called "patron badges."

David Cannon/Getty Images

TV commentators are not allowed to refer to fans as "fans" or "spectators." They are to be called "patrons." In fact, weekly passes to the Masters are called "patron badges."

The rough is also to be referred to as the "second cut."

The Masters banned CBS broadcaster Gary McCord in 1995 for saying, "They don't cut the greens here at Augusta, they use bikini wax."

Gary McCordChristian Petersen/Getty Images for The Match

Players had to use local caddies provided by Augusta until 1983. Players still must use local caddies if they play at Augusta outside of Masters week.

David Cannon/Getty Images

Players are allowed to use their own caddies now, but they have to wear the Augusta uniform — green hat, white jumpsuit.

Tiger Woods and Justin Thomas walk the course at Augusta National.Augusta National via Getty Images

Fans ... oops, we mean patrons ... patrons aren't allowed to wear their hats backward.

Scott Halleran/Getty Images

Patrons can bring collapsible chairs to sit on, but those chairs are not allowed to have armrests.

Chairs at Augusta National for the Masters.Ezra Shaw/Getty Images for Golfweek

Running is not allowed unless you are a player.

Hideki Matsuyama runs past the azaleas at the Masters.Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Grounds crew members used to wear hard hats.

@GolfMonthly

The course used cows as lawnmowers in the 1940s.

The grass at Augusta National is immaculate.@DaveTindallgolf

There is an odd myth that the grounds crew at Augusta packs the azalea plants with ice if spring comes early. The idea is that this will keep the plants from flowering too soon before the tournament.

Rory McIlroy hits out of the Masters azaleas.Charles Laberge/Augusta National via Getty Images

There is an odd myth that the grounds crew at Augusta packs the azalea plants with ice if spring comes early. The idea is that this will keep the plants from flowering too soon before the tournament.

There is a house located in the middle of the Augusta National parking lot because the owners refuse to sell it. The family has reportedly turned down "millions."

Google Maps view of Augusta National.Google Maps

You can't apply to become a member at Augusta and nobody outside of Augusta knows how many members there are.

REUTERS/Mike Segar

Augusta is closed in the summer to keep the course in pristine shape.

Harry How/Getty Images

Golfers must return their green jackets to Augusta National one year after winning the Masters. After that, their jacket can only be worn when they are at Augusta National.

Tiger Woods is presented with the green jacket after winning the 2019 Masters at Augusta National.Augusta National via Getty Images

Golfers must return their green jackets to Augusta National one year after winning the Masters. After that, their jacket can only be worn when they are at Augusta National.

Also, if a player wins more than one Masters, he does not receive a second green jacket unless his size changes considerably.

Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images

There is no set field size for the Masters. Therefore, past winners who get a lifetime invitation to compete in the Masters are not taking spots from younger, more deserving players.

Andrew Redington/Getty Images

There is no set field size for the Masters. Therefore, past winners who get a lifetime invitation to compete in the Masters are not taking spots from younger, more deserving players.

Players are given a brand new Mercedes for use during the week.

Mercedes at the MastersAndrew Redington/Getty Images

Tickets are dirt cheap; only $375 for a patron badge that grants you access to the entire week. But getting one is a lot like Green Bay Packers season tickets. There is a waiting list and it has been closed since 2000. A limited number of single-day tickets are sold via lottery each year. Those are $115 for the tournament rounds and $75 for practice rounds.

Charles Laberge/Augusta National via Getty Images

Tickets are dirt cheap; only $375 for a patron badge that grants you access to the entire week. But getting one is a lot like Green Bay Packers season tickets. There is a waiting list and it has been closed since 2000. A limited number of single-day tickets are sold via lottery each year. Those are $115 for the tournament rounds and $75 for practice rounds.

You can go to jail for selling tickets.

Getty Images

You can also go to jail for trying to take sand home as a souvenir.

The sand at Augusta National.Simon Bruty/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images

Meanwhile, those bunkers at Augusta are filled with mining waste.

Augusta National bunker.Al Tielemans /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images

You can only ask for autographs in one part of the course.

Jordan Spieth at the Masters.JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images

The new pro shop is unlike any other in sports. It is the only place to buy Masters gear, and they offer 125 different styles of caps.

The Masters

Masters 2022: 9 players to bet at the biggest tournament in golf

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

The Masters is one of the quirkiest events in sports with rules and traditions not seen anywhere else

Food prices are ridiculously low.

Tipping is banned.

Cell phones are prohibited at all times and cameras are not permitted during the tournament.

It's one of the only places in the U.S. where there are long lines for payphones.

There's a huge fence around the course to keep out animals. There has been one deer sighting in the last 65 years and visitors often talk of never seeing a single squirrel.

Birds are also mysteriously rarely seen at Augusta National. Bird sounds are heard during television broadcasts, but there is a rumor that those sounds are artificial.

The lakes are also reportedly artificially enhanced to look immaculate on TV. Golf Digest tested the water on one hole in 1996 and found food dye.

But like many golf courses, there is good fishing at Augusta National. The players, though, don't like to talk about it because it is forbidden.

Only 4 minutes of commercials per hour are allowed during the broadcast.

TV commentators are not allowed to refer to fans as "fans" or "spectators." They are to be called "patrons." In fact, weekly passes to the Masters are called "patron badges."

The rough is also to be referred to as the "second cut."

The Masters banned CBS broadcaster Gary McCord in 1995 for saying, "They don't cut the greens here at Augusta, they use bikini wax."

Players had to use local caddies provided by Augusta until 1983. Players still must use local caddies if they play at Augusta outside of Masters week.

Players are allowed to use their own caddies now, but they have to wear the Augusta uniform — green hat, white jumpsuit.

Fans ... oops, we mean patrons ... patrons aren't allowed to wear their hats backward.

Patrons can bring collapsible chairs to sit on, but those chairs are not allowed to have armrests.

Running is not allowed unless you are a player.

Grounds crew members used to wear hard hats.

The course used cows as lawnmowers in the 1940s.

There is an odd myth that the grounds crew at Augusta packs the azalea plants with ice if spring comes early. The idea is that this will keep the plants from flowering too soon before the tournament.

There is a house located in the middle of the Augusta National parking lot because the owners refuse to sell it. The family has reportedly turned down "millions."

You can't apply to become a member at Augusta and nobody outside of Augusta knows how many members there are.

Augusta is closed in the summer to keep the course in pristine shape.

Golfers must return their green jackets to Augusta National one year after winning the Masters. After that, their jacket can only be worn when they are at Augusta National.

Also, if a player wins more than one Masters, he does not receive a second green jacket unless his size changes considerably.

There is no set field size for the Masters. Therefore, past winners who get a lifetime invitation to compete in the Masters are not taking spots from younger, more deserving players.

Players are given a brand new Mercedes for use during the week.

You can go to jail for selling tickets.

You can also go to jail for trying to take sand home as a souvenir.

Meanwhile, those bunkers at Augusta are filled with mining waste.

You can only ask for autographs in one part of the course.

The new pro shop is unlike any other in sports. It is the only place to buy Masters gear, and they offer 125 different styles of caps.