When I went in 2017 the back gate merch shop had more Masters gear than anyone could possibly want. I was there first thing Tues morning. I think I spent somewhere around $400-$500.

The back shop is very robust. It was as good as the front through 2017. Now they did redo the front gate shop for 2018, but I don't think it necessarily has any more/different merchandise. I think it's mostly just brand new and can handle more people/volume now.

Back gate shop is as good as front and much less crowded.
Both shops have been remodeled and are very well done.
The only thing that sells out quickly during the week is hats. Every year there is 2 or 3 hats that become 'hot' and they don't have enough supply for the week. One year it was the trucker hat. Another year it was the first year they put Augusta National on a masters hat.

But the coolest hats now are the Berkmans hats or the members hats. Only people with berkmans badges can get into berkmans. And members hats are not available during masters week to anyone outside of members. It's not impossible to get into the members pro shop, but they take the augusta National hats and move them to the back.

Marauder Blue 6 said:

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Duckhook said:

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Great post Boo, but the one thing I disagree with is shopping first thing in the morning. The one time I went a couple of years ago, that's what we did based on recommendations. But, it was a madhouse. We came back around to the merchandise area a couple of other times through the day, and it was never as crowded. The UPS shipping station right around the corner was great. Came back from lunch 3 days after my trip and there's a big box sitting on my desk. It was like Christmas all over again.

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Until you go back in the afternoon and what you saw in the morning is now sold out and there are none left at the front or back gift shops. It happened to me last year. The lines in the morning move pretty fast in spite of how many people are in them and how much stuff they have.

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Well, I went on a Monday. I'm not sure they're running out of anything on Monday. I guess it can happen later in the week.

Boo - any tips on watching the Par 3 contest? I'll be out there on Wednesday and I'm not sure how much time to dedicate to that and if it's worth spending a big chunk of time there or if I should just spend more time on the main course.

Quinn said:

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Boo - any tips on watching the Par 3 contest? I'll be out there on Wednesday and I'm not sure how much time to dedicate to that and if it's worth spending a big chunk of time there or if I should just spend more time on the main course.

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quinn - the par 3 is extremely popular... maybe the most popular event of the week...
if this is your first time, you need to see it.

but keep in mind - its a lot of people on a small area of land. and probably the most beautiful par 3 course in the world...

if you're going to watch the par 3, you need to get there early if you want a decent spot. like 10 - 11 am.

but if this is your only visit to the masters, you need to see the big course....

there will be plenty of play on the big course Wednesday morning, but many players will only play 9 holes on the big course, then play the par 3.
play will wind down and start thinning out around 130 or 2 on the big course.
no one is allowed to tee off on the big course after 230, although a few (VJ Singh every year...) will try. but it will be mostly singles after lunch, and they rarely play more than 9 holes.

so get there early Wednesday and walk the big course... then wander over to the par 3 around 11 am if you really want to see it.
or stay on the big course until 1'ish and then squeeze your way around the par 3 in the afternoon.

one note.... walking the big course in the afternoon of Wednesday is kinda cool because there's very few people around and you'll get to see all the prep for Thursday..... like 10 large mowing machines side by side mowing a fairway. you don't see that at other courses or tournaments...

another thought - my favorite viewing spot on the par 3 is #9. its a beautiful hole over water... there's always several aces on that hole as they normally put the pin in the front and the ball rolls back off a ledge. but its the closest hole to the big course, so it also gets the most traffic. I usually sit in the IVY as most people think there's bugs or snakes in the IVY...
enjoy!!!

Thanks for the tips! Definitely more interested in seeing this big course, even when it's empty. I'll make sure to pop over to the Par 3 for a little while, though.

Love rereading this every year. Brings back great memories of getting to go in 2015. But Boo you forgot the most impressive thing - the restrooms!!! The line is long but always keeps moving - like a conveyor belt. People inside directing you to open stalls. Gotta take a grumpy - no problem - they'll wipe the seat down for you!

Big Al 1992 said:

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Love rereading this every year. Brings back great memories of getting to go in 2015. But Boo you forgot the most impressive thing - the restrooms!!! The line is long but always keeps moving - like a conveyor belt. People inside directing you to open stalls. Gotta take a grumpy - no problem - they'll wipe the seat down for you!

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totally agree with this...

if you get a chance, go to the men's restroom that's right of the 7th tee and left of 3 green.... there's a handicapped man stationed there. every year, he's the most positive, inspiring person i'll see all week.... he's got an encouraging word for every person he sees... and a couple of years ago, they gave out Arnie's Army buttons to commemorate the passing of Arnold Palmer. they're becoming a collectors item now. but I watched that man give his button to a small boy who asked for it...

Looking like a wet one on Monday. I know they sell umbrellas, but do they also sell ponchos or should I just pack one?

David_Puddy said:

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Looking like a wet one on Monday. I know they sell umbrellas, but do they also sell ponchos or should I just pack one?

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I'm also going monday, not looking forward to this rain on my first trip out there!

Anybody flying into Atlanta Wednesday night and heading to the Augusta Area that night?

David_Puddy said:

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Looking like a wet one on Monday. I know they sell umbrellas, but do they also sell ponchos or should I just pack one?

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They sell really nice ones , and like most things they sell, they are priced very reasonably. I'd recommend using it as an excuse to buy theirs

DannyDuberstein said:

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David_Puddy said:

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Looking like a wet one on Monday. I know they sell umbrellas, but do they also sell ponchos or should I just pack one?

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They sell really nice ones , and like most things they sell, they are priced very reasonably. I'd recommend using it as an excuse to buy theirs

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Perfect

Boo, when do you have to report?

Electrical_Ag said:

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Boo, when do you have to report?

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I fly in to charlotte Tuesday evening... then drive over...

we (scoring) have a meeting at 9 am on Wednesday where they tell us not to make any mistakes... and then we get a pep talk on all the basics: show up on time, shave every day, treat the patrons well, don't write any bad checks, etc....
then myself and the other scorers for #16 will walk over to the 16 green to make sure our roped off box by the green is actually big enough for 2 people...
then we'll make a schedule for the week... i'm usually done by 1030 on Wednesday.

then the fun begins on Thursday...

Need term limits for volunteers. The waiting list is loooooooooooooooong!

Stagecoach said:

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Need term limits for volunteers. The waiting list is loooooooooooooooong!

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Currently, they retire volunteers after 25 years. And they give you 2 badges to the tournament for the rest of your life.

Rumor has it that they are moving it to 20 years.

This is year 18 for me. So I'm hanging on for at least a couple more.

But when you retire, you don't get to play the course So some guys work well past 25....

Appreciate the info, we went in 2017 on Wednesday when it was called for weather and we heard the back gate was quicker and had a merchandise shop. Didn't know if I went that route if it was limited selection.

Oh and whatever you think you'll spend, double it and add $ 200.

Isn't there a shop just outside one of the gates that you can grab a few things at even if you don't have a ticket for that day?

"H - RHINEHARTS is my best DINING recommendation. Its about 3 miles from ANGC on the other side of i20 on Washington road. Its very rustic (it's a dive), but the best fried shrimp I've ever had."

Yes yes and yes. The fried shrimp is off the charts. We have come back 2 nights in a row. Great call!!

Question for ya Boo - I know you're a little busy right now - is there a more lackluster first tee introduction in golf? No resume, no list of former wins,not even hometown. Is it because this is The Masters and a simple announcement of just your name is all they need? Instead of "Now on the first tee, 3 time Masters Champion from Scottsdale Arizona - Phil Mickelson" (roar) it's "Phil Mickelson" clap clap clap.

Holy $&@&$&@. Path clear for Tiger.

3 of he 4 leaders in the drink at 12. Unreal.

Congrats to Tiger, but also to anyone who got to attend this year. You got to watch one of the most historic days in golf history live!

You were spot on with your merchandise estimate. We had a budget and we were way over. Great Sunday at the Masters. Hoping we will get back sooner rather than later. Saw quite a few Aggies out there today.

As this Masters concludes, I want to once again thank boo for his annual thread and the insight that it brings. Even for the years that I haven't been able to attend, for me personally, this thread lends greatly to the anticipation of the Masters.

I enjoyed Monday, and my buddies got some pretty close photos of Tiger, JT and Couples on 16 tee box. We enjoyed plenty of Georgia peach ice cream sandwiches as well as all the other menu selections. We bought some nice gifts for friends and family in the gift shop, and most of all (imo at least) I got to appreciate the beauty of Augusta National during the Masters.

Boo, I hope you had another great year volunteering and enjoy your round next month.

jonj101 said:

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As this Masters concludes, I want to once again thank boo for his annual thread and the insight that it brings. Even for the years that I haven't been able to attend, for me personally, this thread lends greatly to the anticipation of the Masters.

I enjoyed Monday, and my buddies got some pretty close photos of Tiger, JT and Couples on 16 tee box. We enjoyed plenty of Georgia peach ice cream sandwiches as well as all the other menu selections. We bought some nice gifts for friends and family in the gift shop, and most of all (imo at least) I got to appreciate the beauty of Augusta National during the Masters.

Boo, I hope you had another great year volunteering and enjoy your round next month.

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Same here Boo, I was there for Thursdays round this year and your recommendations were spot on. What an Awesome place! Oh the pimento cheese was my favorite with the hame & cheese on rye a close second.

Big Al 1992 said:

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Question for ya Boo - I know you're a little busy right now - is there a more lackluster first tee introduction in golf? No resume, no list of former wins,not even hometown. Is it because this is The Masters and a simple announcement of just your name is all they need? Instead of "Now on the first tee, 3 time Masters Champion from Scottsdale Arizona - Phil Mickelson" (roar) it's "Phil Mickelson" clap clap clap.

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I think its just a combination of a couple of things:
1 - tradition - its been that way for as long as I've been there, and that's 24 years. the 'announcer' has changed a few times... mr Harrison, then toby wilt, and mr Blanchard - all distinguished members.... they've all done it that way
2 - simplicity - augusta national tries to keep everything as simple as possible. same way with scoring and who's allowed inside the ropes. AN wants the cleanest look, and simplest approach. that's why only players and caddies are allowed inside the ropes. at other PGA events, you'll see many people walking with each group...

I don't think any of the 'old school' approaches will change anytime soon. from manual scoring, to manual leaderboards, no microphones, no cell phones, and no outside branding...

example: this year - they removed peanut m&m's from the concession areas. that was the last 'outside packaging' left.... you'll note that everything is a masters label, or doesn't have a label.

back when I had the 1st tee, I got in trouble one year for having a diet coke can next to me on the 1st tee...

I could write a book on the stories...

but then again, the sunday round was moved to start at 730 am due to weather concerns. many people were surprised they did this.... there was lots of talk and discussion about a Monday finish. but a Monday finish hasn't happened since 1983...

Boo, went back and read your original post. I think it is about time you start the other thread to share your stories...

When you say you got in trouble for having a can of diet coke, what kind of trouble are we talking about here? Just made to throw it away and someone tell you that isn't allowed?

Thanks ! Makes me miss the experience! Yes can you go into some detail on how you got the gig and how others can "get in line"?

Boo, when you go back in May, do you also get to play the par 3 course?