The Masters at Augusta National Golf Club is built around tradition. Manual leaderboards, a no-cell-phone policy, and strict crowd behavior are all part of the experience.

However, the strict no-cell-phone policy does have exceptions. While patrons are disconnected, a select few have the privilege of keeping their phones with them.

Notable personalities in the media broadcasting team are allowed to carry phones. CBS announcer Jim Nantz and ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt are among those with this privilege. In addition, top golf executives like the PGA Tour’s Brian Rolapp and LIV Golf’s Scott O’Neil are also exempt from the policy.

"Part of what makes the Masters such a unique environment is the lack of cell phones on the grounds," the tournament's website reads. "Courtesy phones are available throughout the course."

VIPs’ cell phones have a small, bright orange or green-colored sticker attached. These stickers have a number on them to make sure they can’t be copied or faked.

"I think it goes back to the beginning of the tournament and really to the founding of the club," said Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley.

The no-cell-phone rule fits with the Masters’ focus on putting the game of golf first. There have been multiple instances of golfers being disrupted by ringing phones.

"The real motivation behind starting the Masters Tournament—of course, it was not called that at the beginning—but the impetus was really to serve the game of golf. So we look at ourselves as servants of the game of golf," Ridley said.

Some tournament staff are also allowed to use phones, but only for work. If they don’t follow that rule, they can be removed from the course.

Former British Open Champion Ejected

Not even 1988 Masters runner-up Mark Calcavecchia was allowed to break the no-cell-phone rule. The 1989 British Open winner was kicked out of Augusta National Golf Club for using his phone during Tuesday’s practice round.

“I’ve got nothing negative to say about Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters, so I think we should literally hang up right now,” he said.

While other major tournaments like the U.S. Open and the PGA Championship now allow phones on the course, Augusta sticks to its roots and keeps its old ways in place.

Read more at Daily Club Golf!

Written by

Avishek Sarkar

Edited by

Pulkit Prabhav