Augusta National's strict no-phone policy is a famous tradition. But how do patrons contact the outside world during Masters week? The club provides the solution.
"Complimentary phone banks are provided by the club, available for use throughout the property," The Masters confirmed.
These courtesy phone banks are the only communication option for patrons. Using the banks requires an old-fashioned touch. You need to either remember or write down the phone numbers of people you want to call.
In fact, the origin of these landlines dates back to the 1940s. At a time when less than half of America's households had landline connections, Augusta National had installed underground phone lines as a part of the Masters scoring system.
The no mobile sign place on green in golf tournament., The no mobile sign place on green in golf tournament, concept of respect the golf game.
The no mobile sign place on green in golf tournament., The no mobile sign place on green in golf tournament, concept of respect the golf game.
As per a 2024 New York Times report by Alan Blinder, "the club has barred fans from carrying cellphones onto its verdant grounds since at least 1993."
A Digital Reprieve on the Greens
"It’s a nice reprieve from the day-to-day," one patron noted about the silence. "Just taking it all in and focusing on nature and everybody here" creates a much deeper connection.
The players also notice the difference a phone-free gallery makes. They enjoy how pure the environment is, where it's just them and their caddy.
This engagement enhances the interaction between fans and players, especially on difficult holes.
Chairman Fred Ridley made it clear that this 'outlier' policy will become a permanent feature. He says positive comments have been received regarding the unique atmosphere.
The cellphone policy is enforced extremely strictly at Augusta. Anyone caught with a cellphone will be ejected and will be required to permanently give up their tickets to this and any future Master's tournaments.
The policy makes it possible for the Masters to be regarded as 'pure golf' by patrons.
Trending slideshow: 20 Incredible Records Held by Masters Champions at Augusta National
Anushree Menon
20 Incredible Records Held by Masters Champions at Augusta NationalAugusta National is the famous home of the Masters. Every year, the world's best golfers try to break legendary records on this course. From the most wins to the lowest scores, these milestones show true greatness. These incredible records are a big part of why the Green Jacket is the most special prize in all of golf. MastersJack Nicklaus holds the record with six Masters wins over three decades. Tiger Woods is close behind with five Green Jackets. Other legends like Arnold Palmer and Phil Mickelson have also won multiple times, making them some of golf's greatest stars. Paul J Sutton/PCN Photography/ImagoThis record is broken by Tiger Woods. He became the youngest Masters winner in 1997 at just 21 years old. He broke the record previously held by Seve Ballesteros. Jordan Spieth is the only other player to win at 21, joining Tiger as one of the youngest champions ever IMAGO / ZUMA Press WireAlways the Legend! Jack Nicklaus became the oldest Masters winner in 1986 at 46 years old. That legendary win was his sixth Green Jacket and his 18th major title. No one has been able to beat his record for the oldest champion since then. @Jack Nicklaus/ FacebookOnly five golfers have won the Masters by leading every single round. These stars include Craig Wood (1941), Arnold Palmer (1960), Jack Nicklaus (1972), and Raymond Floyd (1976). Jordan Spieth (2015) is the only player to do it in the 21st century. IMAGO / Visions In GolfMany stars have come close to winning multiple times, but Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, and Tom Weiskopf share the record for four runner-up finishes. Only three players have won on their first try, and just three have defended their title successfully. IMAGO / Visions In GolfJack Nicklaus holds an incredible 22 top-10 finishes at the Masters, which is the most in history. He has five more than Ben Hogan, who finished in the top 10 17 times. This record shows how great Nicklaus was for many years. Colorsport/ImagoNick Price and Greg Norman share the lowest single-round record at Augusta with scores of 63. Jordan Spieth holds the 36-hole record, shooting 130 in 2015. He broke Raymond Floyd’s 1976 record of 131 by just one shot. via @YoutubeDustin Johnson made history in 2020 by shooting 268, the lowest 72-hole score ever at the Masters. He finished at 20-under par, breaking the previous record of 270 (-18) held by Tiger Woods (1997) and Jordan Spieth (2015). David Lloyd/ImagoDuring the second round in 2009, Anthony Kim made history by carding 11 birdies, setting the record for the most in a single Masters round. He broke the previous record of ten birdies set by Nick Price way back in 1986. IMAGO / Icon SportswireJordan Spieth holds the record for the most birdies in a single Masters tournament, making 28 in 2015. He beat the previous best of 25 set by Phil Mickelson (2001) and later tied by Xander Schauffele (2019). IMAGO / Icon SportswireSteve Pate and Tiger Woods share the record for the most birdies in a row at the Masters. Both players made seven straight birdies starting at the seventh hole, Pate in 1999 and Woods in 2005. They beat the previous record of six. via @youtubeDustin Johnson made Masters history in 2015 by becoming the first player to record three eagles in a single round. He achieved this incredible feat during the second round, scoring eagles on the 2nd, 8th, and 15th holes at Augusta. via @dustinjohnsongolf/InstagramGary Player holds the record for the most total appearances at the Masters, playing 52 times between 1957 and 2009. Whereas Arnold Palmer holds the impressive record for consecutive appearances at 50. via @YoutubeTiger Woods now holds the record for the most consecutive cuts made at the Masters, reaching 24 straight in 2024. He passed Gary Player and Fred Couples, who each had 23. Jack Nicklaus still holds the career record with 37 total cuts. IMAGO / ZUMA Press WireTiger Woods won the 1997 Masters by an amazing 12 strokes. This is the largest winning margin in the history of the tournament. He broke the previous record of nine strokes, which Jack Nicklaus set during his victory in 1965. via @youtubeJack Burke Jr. made the biggest final-round comeback in Masters history in 1956. He started the day eight strokes behind but shot a 71 to win by one. His winning total of 289 remains the highest ever for a champion via @YoutubeFred Couples, the 1992 champion, made history at the 2023 Masters by becoming the oldest player to ever make the cut at 63 years and 187 days old. He broke the previous record held by Bernhard Langer, who was 63 years and 78 days old when he reached the weekend in 2020. Couples opened with rounds of 71-74 to safely make the cut before finishing tied for 50th. IMAGO / ZUMA Press WireTianlang Guan made history in 2013 when he became the youngest player to ever make the cut at the Masters. At only 14 years, 5 months, and 18 days old, the amateur golfer from China safely reached the weekend and went on to finish the tournament as the Low Amateur. via @aculturedgolfer/InstagramKen Venturi’s opening round of 66 in 1956 remains the lowest 18-hole score ever recorded by an amateur at the Masters. For the full 72 holes, the amateur record is held by Charlie Coe, who finished with a total of 281 in 1961. GEORGE BRIDGES KRT/IMAGO/ZUMA Press WireSungjae Im set the record for the lowest 72-hole score by a Masters debutant in 2020. He finished the week at 15-under par (273), tying for second place. His performance broke the previous debut record and stands as the best ever for a player in their first appearance at Augusta National. via @Youtube
