What makes the Masters so special anyway? A beginner’s guide

What makes the Masters so special anyway?

Man, titular. We were ready to settle into our green folding chairs, eat pimento cheese sandwiches, and be soothed by a piano (this), and now you want us to get all existential? To mind Georgia?

You got it, though.

Here, then, are nine ways the Masters is special. (And if you’d like, we’d love to hear your thoughts on the question. Please send them to nick.piastowski@golf.com.)

Masters, Masters, Masters – away from the Masters

While the Masters is on Augusta Nationaleveryone in town rolls out the red (green?) carpet during tournament week. Along Washington Street, there are Tbonzwhich serves, yes, T-bones and other meat and potatoes items, along with a healthy amount of golf sodas, and is Top Dawg, where John Daly will now appear, as the place he posted during Masters week, Hooters, was destroyed. Explore further, and almost every store marks the Masters or Augusta National, or has an azalea-themed cocktail, or offers a pimento-cheese pancake, or all of the above.

Some of them are corporate. But a good part of it is a true native, charmed by the south. Don’t get this wrong – everyone is happy to take your money. But for the most part, people are glad you came, especially if you explore the ANGC past.

Golf Disney World. Or Golf Vegas

No, the Masters does not have a mouse mascot. (LOL!) Or slot machines. (LOL!!!)

But, much like what you’d find in Orlando or Sin City, the event has that feel of everyone being really, really happy to be there. No one is irritated. People have touched the ground. They reached the end zone, crossed home plate and scored. Now is the time to dive into it all. Buy the damn shirt, drink the damn beer, say hi to the damn bird. It is also contagious.

There is also some blurring of lines. Who is he next to you? Is that Larry from Ohio? Or is that Larry Fitzgerald, one of the best ever to play wide receiver. And they are all walking the grounds of one of the most exclusive clubs in the entire world.

Adding it all up?

It’s also the unofficial start of spring.

An engineering marvel

We’re not talking about one of the holes (although we will in a second).

It is the main commercial building.

Think about it. Every base defender wants SOMETHING. cup of coffee. Dog bowl. Stuffed-pimento-cheese-sandwich doll. (All were purchased by this correspondent.) So a strong majority of customers head for the main merchandise building.

The line reflects that. And yet it always seems to move.

People wait outside the building, then inside. But there is always something to see.

Once inside, the number of people outnumbers the pieces of clothing you can buy. However, apparently, everything is always well equipped.

You see. But if you don’t feel like forwarding that piece of artwork, you can send it home.

Then have an ice cream sandwich. The main concession stand is immediately adjacent.

Oh yes, the food and drinks

There are sandwiches, 10 in all – egg salad, pimento cheese, chicken salad, barbecue, club, ham and cheese, chicken, delicious tomato pie, chicken biscuits and a breakfast sandwich. Most are wrapped in a green bag.

And there are snacks.

And there are drinks.

The menu is not champagne and caviar. But it does the job. And priced to get you seconds.

TV does not do the country justice

This is meant to be no knock against those broadcasting the tournament. Their work is colorful and compelling. The viewer at home sees infinitely more action than you do in the field, simply because the cameras have more eyes.

But yours are amazed by the height. It’s hard to find a flat lie.

And it’s really hard to find something out of place. Don’t worry if you drop a chip on the ground, because you can practically eat it. (Editor’s note: Don’t, but you get the point.)

No. Phones.

Enough said.

It’s good to unplug. In your email, it’s best to write, “Out of the office … AT MASTERS.”

But if you need to make a phone call—there’s nothing wrong with double-checking your shirt size—there are several spots at Augusta National with toll-free phones. Your loved one will love seeing the Georgia area code displayed – or they’ll be jealous. But they will get.

Tradition(s) unlike any other

There are several. Here’s a partial list, not including Jim Nantz called the tournament “a tradition unlike any other”:

– Dinner of Champions, where the previous winner hosts past winners for a meal

– Par-3 Contest, where participants, along with friends and family, play the Par-3 course the day before the tournament.

– Jumping balls on 16, where, during practice rounds, players pass tee shots along the water on the par-3 hole.

– White velvet jumpsuits – all dresses wear the same outfit.

– The words – “fans” are called “patrons”; The “front nine” and the “back nine” are called the “front nine” and the “second nine”; and “rough” is called “first cut.”

– Honorary starters – former legends mark the start of the Masters with ceremonial shots.

– The Green Jacket Ceremony, where the previous year’s winner matches the youngest winner with a green jacket, the award given to champions

– The customers’ own traditions. Regular participants – do not notice the use of “fans” – usually have their own obligations. Same way inside. Same meal. Same viewing location.

Golf

Yes, they play this at the Masters too.

However, what makes it special is the context. Previous winners and losers. Past heroics and fluxes. You remember Tiger chip AND Jack shot. You don’t forget loose balls at Rae’s Creek.

It has a connection to the golf played at the Masters.

The course is also one of the best in the world and invitations are sought throughout the year. You will see perfection.

Speaking of…

You will also see something

There’s always something going on at the Masters. Several things, actually.

The tournament, its atmosphere, its course and its players make you want to watch it, for fear of what you might miss if you don’t. There are always moments. The unusual ones. The extraordinary.

New ones start on Thursday.

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