Bringing your phone to the Masters? Here's what could happen if you do

USA Today

22-03-2025

Bringing your phone to the Masters? Here's what could happen if you do
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The Masters green jacket: Why is it worn and what are the rules?
Learn about the green jacket Augusta National Golf Club members and Masters champions wear and one champion who bucked the rules by taking it home.
Augusta Chronicle
The 2025 Masters Tournament will be held at Augusta National Golf Club from Thursday, April 10 to Sunday, April 13.
Cell phones are strictly prohibited at the Masters.
Cameras are permitted only during practice rounds on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
Cash is not accepted at the Masters, with debit and credit cards being the only forms of payment.
The tournament will be broadcast on ESPN, CBS, and Paramount+, with additional online coverage available on masters.com and the Masters app.
The Masters Tournament is known for keeping to tradition, including the event's adherence to a strict cell phone policy.
Cell phones are not allowed at the 2025 Masters Tournament and bringing a phone onto the grounds can get you in hot water.
Patrons pass through a metal detector and security when entering Augusta National's gates and all items are subject to search.
Free check stands are available outside the two patron gates for checking phones before entering and courtesy phones are available throughout the course.
Here's what to know about the Masters phone policy, items you can and can't bring to Augusta National, and the 2025 Masters schedule:
What happens if you're caught with a cell phone at the Masters?
Patrons caught with phones at the Masters are subject to immediate removal from the grounds and permanent loss of credentials (tickets).
Can you wear Apple Watch or fitness tracker at the Masters?
Yes. You can wear smart watches and fitness trackers at the Masters but you cannot use them for phone calls, emails, text messaging, or to record and/or transmit voice, video or data.
Can you bring a camera to the Masters?
Yes, but only for practice rounds on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Cameras are strictly prohibited on tournament days, Thursday through Sunday, but you can have your photo taken, free of charge, at Founders Circle in front (Magnolia Lane side) of the Augusta National clubhouse.
Once the photo is taken, you'll receive a card with instructions on how to get your photo. There is no charge for retrieving the image.
Here's the 2025 schedule for free Founders Circle photos at the Masters:
Monday, April 7: 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Tuesday, April 8: 7:30 a.m.- 2 p.m.
Wednesday, April 9: 7:30 a.m.- 10 p.m.
Thursday, April 10: 7:30 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Friday, April 11: 7:30 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Saturday, April 12: 7:30 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Sunday, April 13: 7:30 a.m.- 5 p.m.
What can you bring to the Masters Tournament at Augusta National?
Here's what Masters patrons are allowed to bring to the Masters Tournament:
Cameras, on practice round days (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday) only.
Small bags and purses measuring no larger than 10'x10'x12' in their natural state.
Folding armless chairs that are collapsible and have no pointed ends.
Binoculars
Fitness trackers and smart watches are permitted but the use of any electronic device for phone calls, emails, text messaging, or to record and/or transmit voice, video or data is strictly prohibited.
What you can't bring to the Masters
These items are not allowed at the Masters:
Cell phones Cell phones are not permitted on the grounds. Courtesy phones are available throughout the course.
Cell phones are not permitted on the grounds. Courtesy phones are available throughout the course. Radios and TVs To create a distraction-free environment, do not bring radios, TVs or any noise or music-producing devices.
To create a distraction-free environment, do not bring radios, TVs or any noise or music-producing devices. Food, beverages and coolers Outside food and beverages are not permitted through the gates.
Outside food and beverages are not permitted through the gates. Rigid chairs Chairs or seats with pointed ends, folding armchairs and rigid-type chairs are not permitted.
Chairs or seats with pointed ends, folding armchairs and rigid-type chairs are not permitted. Electronic devices Laptops, tablets, beepers, drones and other electronics, including devices capable of transmitting photo/video, are prohibited.
Laptops, tablets, beepers, drones and other electronics, including devices capable of transmitting photo/video, are prohibited. Flags, banners and signs Please refrain from bringing any item that interferes with the viewing experience for your fellow patrons.
Please refrain from bringing any item that interferes with the viewing experience for your fellow patrons. Golf shoes with metal spikes To preserve the condition of the turf on the course and around the grounds, please wear appropriate shoes without spikes.
To preserve the condition of the turf on the course and around the grounds, please wear appropriate shoes without spikes. Cameras for tournament rounds As a reminder, cameras are strictly prohibited on Tournament rounds (Thursday – Sunday) but are allowed on practice rounds (Monday – Wednesday).
As a reminder, cameras are strictly prohibited on Tournament rounds (Thursday – Sunday) but are allowed on practice rounds (Monday – Wednesday). Knives and weapons Regardless of permit, weapons of any kind are not permitted at Augusta National Golf Club or the Masters Tournament.
Regardless of permit, weapons of any kind are not permitted at Augusta National Golf Club or the Masters Tournament. Strollers For a seamless entry experience at the gates, please leave strollers at home or in your vehicle.
For a seamless entry experience at the gates, please leave strollers at home or in your vehicle. Ladders and photography aids Other items such as ladders, periscopes, tripods, monopods and selfie sticks are not permitted on the grounds of Augusta National Golf Club.
Other items such as ladders, periscopes, tripods, monopods and selfie sticks are not permitted on the grounds of Augusta National Golf Club. Large backpacks, bags and pursesPlan to bring small bags no larger than 10'x10'x12' in their natural state (not bent or folded).
Cash not accepted at the Masters
Cash is not accepted at the Masters. Debit and credit cards are the only accepted methods of payment at Augusta National.
Masters 2025 dates
The 2025 Masters Tournament is played Thursday, April 10 to Sunday, April 13.
Three practice round days precede the tournament, with the family-friendly Par 3 Contest scheduled for Wednesday, April 9.
Masters 2025 schedule: When do gates open and close?
Monday, April 7: Gates open at 7 a.m. and close 30 minutes after play ends.
Tuesday, April 8: Gates open at 7 a.m. and close 30 minutes after play ends.
Wednesday, April 9: Gates open at 7 a.m., the Par 3 Contest starts at noon and gates close 30 minutes after play ends.
Thursday, April 10: Gates open at 7 a.m. and close 30 minutes after play ends.
Thursday, April 10: Gates open at 7 a.m., with honorary starters scheduled to hit ceremonial tee shots at 7:30 a.m. Gates close 30 minutes after play ends.
Friday, April 11: Gates open at 7 a.m. and close 30 minutes after play ends.
Saturday, April 12: Gates open at 7 a.m. and close 30 minutes after play ends.
Sunday, April 13: Gates open at 7 a.m. and close 30 minutes after the presentation ceremony.
Masters 2025 on TV, streaming online. How to watch
Can't get to the course? Here's how to watch the 2025 Masters:
Monday, April 7: On the Range live online coverage from noon to 2 p.m. at masters.com and on the Masters app.
Tuesday, April 8: On the Range live online coverage from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at masters.com and on the Masters app.
Wednesday, April 9: On the Range live online coverage from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at masters.com and on the Masters app.
Live coverage on TV Par 3 Contest: ESPN+ from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., ESNP from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Thursday, April 10:
Live online coverage at masters.com and on the Masters app Honorary starters: 7:30 a.m. On the Range: 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Holes 4, 5 and 6: 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Amen Corner: 10:45 a.m. to 6 p.m. Featured Groups: 9:15 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Holes 15 and 16: 11:45 a.m. to 7 p.m. Broadcast: 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Live coverage on TV ESPN: 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. CBS highlights: 11:35 p.m. - 11:50 p.m.
Friday, April 11:
Live coverage online at masters.com and on the Masters app On the Range: 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Holes 4, 5 and 6: 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Featured Groups: 9:15 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Amen Corner: 10:45 a.m. to 6 p.m. Holes 15 and 16: 11:45 a.m. to 7 p.m. Broadcast: 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Live coverage on TV ESPN: 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. CBS highlights: 11:35 p.m. - 11:50 p.m.
Saturday, April 12:
Live online coverage at masters.com and on the Masters app On the Range: 10 a.m. to noon Featured Groups: 10:15 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Holes 4, 5 and 6: 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Amen Corner: 11:45 a.m. to 6 p.m. Holes 15 and 16: 12:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Broadcast: 12 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Live coverage on TV Paramount+: Noon to 2 p.m. CBS: 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday, April 13: