13-04-2025
Why do Masters winners and members get green jackets? The tradition, explained
Why do Masters winners and members get green jackets? The tradition, explained
Welcome to FTW Explains, a guide to catching up on and better understanding stuff going on in the world. Watching the Masters on Sunday and suddenly wondering why all the members and winners of the tournament at Augusta National wear those same green jackets and the origin story behind it? We've got you covered.
Editor's note: A version of this post was originally published 2022.
The green jacket might be one of the best non-trophy trophies in all of sports, right?
It's wearable bragging rights, one that you can put on for any event, from a day at Wimbledon (Sergio Garcia) to heading to a local Chick-fil-a (thanks, Patrick Reed).
But what's up with the whole green jackets thing? Let's help you out and dive in all things green jackets:
Why have Augusta National members wear green jackets at all?
There's an origin story here, via
The first story is Augusta National co-founder and one of golf's greatest champions, Bobby Jones, attended a dinner at 12-time Open Championship venue Royal Liverpool in England where club captains were wearing matching jackets to denote their position. Jones liked that.
The other story is that Augusta National co-founder Clifford Roberts figured it was a way to identify club members as 'reliable sources of information' to visiting non-members — and to let waiters know who got the check at dinner.
In 1937, that's when the green jackets started rolling in.
Why are the jackets green at Augusta?
Specifically, the color is Pantone 342 per Golfweek. The story I found behind this came from Today's Golfer:
So when Augusta National opened in January 1933, [Bobby] Jones floated the idea to business partner Clifford Roberts. The only issue was the colour. Red, yellow and even 'Georgia peach' were all considered but quickly dismissed. Then, while out walking Roberts' eye was taken by the leaves underpinning the many azalea bushes found on the former Fruitland Nursery site. Known as verdant green, the choice was made and a legend was born.
When did the Masters winners start getting green jackets?
Back in 1949, Sam Snead got one when he won his first Masters at Augusta.
How do the golfers get jackets in their exact sizes?
They get a temporary one that's approximately their size before they're given a customized fitting after their win.
Do you get more than one green jacket if you win multiple Masters?
Nope! Back in 2019, when Tiger Woods won, we learned this one. You can bring the green jacket home for a year after your win, but then it has to be brought back and worn only at Augusta.
And if you win again, you get your same jacket to put on after your victory.
