If there's one thing that defines Augusta National, it's that it's a course that is built on tradition. And no matter how long you avoid it, the tradition catches up to you. And that's what happened with Fred Couples.

While Couples had won the 1992 Masters, he hadn't donated his winning clubs to the course, a tradition that's been in place for decades. Winners have been doing it since 1934. Talking about it, he said,

"I had no idea. I found out in 2021 when I got an email with some history and noticed my name listed as the only champion who hadn't donated his club. I couldn't believe it."

It was a mistake he had to correct. So over three decades later, the golfer fulfilled this "Augusta ritual" by retrieving his MacGregor Eye-O-Matic Eye 85 and donating it to the club.

Currently, the exhibition consists not only of Couples' driver but also includes Tiger Woods' 1997 driver and Larry Mize's famous 1987 sand wedge.

And it's not the only tradition that defines the event.

A Tournament Built on Tradition

The Masters remains one of the most prestigious events on the golf calendar, and the Augusta National carries it well. For starters, the club is notoriously exclusive to begin with. Winners of the Masters are awarded with the Green Jacket to mark their entry into an exclusive club.

But that's not all. Membership in the Masters Club only comes if you're a Masters Champion. Even Augusta co-founders Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts received the status of honorary members.

Beyond that, we see each event take us back through other traditions. The Champions Dinner, with their incredibly unique menus, the interview at The Butler Cabin, and even the locker room. Augusta National brings it all together to raise The Masters to a different status among the majors.

Read more at Club Golf!

Written by

Abhishek Sharma

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar