I see your post, party! (I've had some not show up, too.) No advice but have fun!

We have badges and lived in Augusta for years. If the airfares aren't too bad, I would fly into Columbia, SC or Greenville, SC. The traffic around the Atlanta airport is ridiculous.

Yes, the hotel rates in Augusta are terrible and there are really not many nice hotels.

Aiken hotels are also going to be higher but not as bad as Augusta. The traffic really doesn't get bad until you get near the course. If you fly into Columbia I would look at staying in Columbia, the drive is a little over an hour.

16 is a great hole to hang out. That is where the pros often goof off and try to skip their balls over the pond to the green. Lots of locals hang out there and the atmosphere is fun.

Have fun, it is great!

bpathome, ty! I see it now too! :) New system, so took more than an hour just to create the post and I'm cranky w/ sciatica. :p

d_gw, lucky you!!! We must have been typing at the same time... thank you for that info! I thought of Aiken because my brother lived there many years ago. I'm surprised that you think Columbia would work with the drive -- I'll check on flights and such. And thanks for the tip on #16. We've tried to search and found nothing definitive, so we assume the Wed practice round tickets will get us in to see the par-3 tournament... or is it better to just hang out at the big course? :)

Shoot, I forgot about par 3, most pros will be over there. If you and DH are big golf fans I would still take some time and walk the course if you are able. It's very hilly, wear very comfy shoes.

The practice range has viewing stands and is a fun way to see the pros up close. Same with the putting green which is in a very picturesque spot near the clubhouse.

d_gw, we're avid golfers and big golf fans -- we definitely want to walk that course! We've attended several PGA, LPGA, and Sr PGA events near us over the years, but we've never been to a *big* event or a major. I'm worried about the crowds and hope I'll be able to see anything!

I don't know if info will come with the tickets, but they won't mail them until March. How does it work with parking... do they have designated lots and use shuttle buses?

I live in Augusta, they didn't pull my name for tickets for next year, boo-hoo.

But, there have been lots of changes at the National over the last year or so. Changes in Berckman's Rd which runs long the northern side of the property. It is my understanding that there is lots of free parking within walking distance. The gift shop has been expanded and got rave reviews this past spring. The local traffic people advise that you turn your GPS off when you approach town and follow their signs. Many of the surrounding streets are limited during that week. They may route you in what seems an out of the way direction but it will get you there. There will be digital signs indicating which parking lots have spots free. Look into playing a round of golf at one of the surrounding courses. I think they offer "packages" during that week. I don't know if any might offer accommodations as well.

I agree on flying into Columbia or Greenville and then driving to Aiken. Take the time to drive around there as well, it is lovely. Many of the people coming to the tournament rent private homes in Augusta, it is a thriving local source of funds for those who are able to get their homes in presentable condition! Probably too expensive for your trip but it lends a festive air to the whole town. Restaurants are assumed to be very busy that whole week, I haven't tried in years so I can't vouch for that. If you are interested, there are museums in both Augusta and Aiken that have interesting golf exhibits.

Good luck and have fun!

We were just there this past Masters. Our son and DIL live right down the street from the main entrance to it. This time we flew into Columbia, and we’re so, so glad we did! Avoiding the traffic and airport congestion (both an absolute nightmare!) in Atlanta was a godsend! That said, traffic and people congestion in Augusta is major during tournament time. Hotel prices are increased, and you seriously need to make reservations many months in advance. Many restaurants are also completely booked months in advance, as well. If interested in an AirBnB place, start looking NOW, as many are booked way in advance by the pros, media, etc. Many homes near our son’s are actually owned by the Masters Corporate for the exclusive use by pros, media and VIPs during those 2+ weeks. They actually post guards and have the roads blocked into our son’s development to keep sightseers out. Residents get irritated having to show their drivers licenses to prove they live there, but it does keep the tourist traffic down. I’ll get back here with a few of our favorite Augusta restaurants when I can, but I did want to add that Aiken is a wonderful, picturesque little town to stay, shop and/or dine. And, the Columbia Airport is modern, pretty, efficient, and not anywhere near as busy as Atlanta’s.

I just received my “Sorry Your application for the 2019 Masters was not chosen” email this very afternoon. I’m heartbroken for my sweet DH! But, I’m really happy that you did get yours, PartyMusic. BIG congratulations! This is such a timely thread for me, though. I just got home from running errands in town and ran into an old friend while getting my pedicure. She told me that she found Masters tickets for this past one and paid $5,000 each for two tickets as a surprise birthday gift for her husband’s 70th birthday! That’s much too pricey in my opinion, but she did say that it was his best birthday gift ever!

@party_music50 - OH MY GOD! (high pitched squeal) I got shivers just reading this. You are so lucky! Have fun.

BTW, I should probably explain our badges since it sounds very braggy. In 2000 the waiting list was briefly opened. We got on it and we were notified we were getting badges shortly after. I have no idea why. It's basically like winning the lottery.

So, that's my badge story. We certainly aren't members :)

Augusta has certainly grown since I was last there in 1990! It did get crowded during the Masters, but there was only one really nice restaurant and not many nice hotels. Fort Gordon almost shut down for the week because of the number of people who either went to or were working at the tournament. Now there's the Riverwalk, the canal area, and a lot of places to stay. Have a great time!

DH went with a group associated with his work several years ago. He was there on Wednesday and Thursday. Since it was an organized function, he did not have to worry about lodging and transportation.

He sat at #16 most of the time, he said. Food and drink was quite reasonable.

A friend told me he went once and carried a lawn chair. He set his chair up at a good vantage point, sat in it for a while, then walked a while. When he came back, his chair was still in the same spot. Untouched. And no one was sitting in it. He was impressed by the dignity of most of the attendees.

junco, I'm sorry you didn't get tickets! I hope there is a generous 'locals' ticket lottery that gives you all a better chance. Thank you so much for all that local info and advice! It's very helpful to me as we're deciding how to approach this. I always loved visiting Aiken when my brother lived there, so I'm glad to hear it still has charm.

LynnNM, wow. Thank you for posting all that info! My BF's first instinct was to fly to Atlanta, stay there, and drive in to Augusta for the day. That's not happening. lol! Now I hope I don't have to go through Atlanta to get to Columbia. :) Sorry you didn't get tickets, but hey, you were just there! Seeing Augusta in person has been such a far out dream, I still cannot believe it will happen. And, yeah, I don't think I'd be willing to pay $5k per ticket, but then I've never been given the option. lol!

blfenton, thank you!!! totally love your squeal! we could do it in unison. :O)

diane_nj, thank you! I only know one person who has been to the Masters and he was able to use his gov't ID to stay in a motel on Fort Gordon. I wish I had that option because planning would be so much easier. :)

littlebug, thank you. I have read that there is a strict 'don't touch my chair' policy. That's great! :)

Thank you all so much for posting! It really eases my mind about how I need to approach this, since I'm always the planner and navigator. :) And please keep posting your thoughts!

Reservations made! Goal was to fly into Columbia, SC and stay in Aiken. Very glad I took the time to do it yesterday, because when I searched for hotel rooms in Aiken I was seeing things like '1 room left', '3 rooms left'.... Thanks again, everyone, for the help! Already thinking about what I need to pack. lol!!! (happy dance! :)

It's been 7 years and I'm really glad that I saved a link to this thread because:

I just won the Masters ticket lottery for 2026!!!

This just doesn't seem real... I can go back to Augusta! :)

That's awesome. I haven't heard from any of my family members so I'm assuming they had no luck!

It's funny how some old, old threads stick around and are easy to find and others vanish.

deegw, I saved a link to the thread! otherwise I'd have never found it.

BF says he hasn't been notified about the lottery either!

Are you going to do anything different this time? I hear that the merch area has just exploded over the past few years.

Sorry, deegw, I wasn’t aware of your reply! Yes, I think we will drive down this time because they really messed with our flights the last time. And I’d like to spend more time at the 16th hole. Re the merchandise, it wouldn’t take much to expand on the two trailers they had in 2019, so that would be an improvement. :)

Wow! Lucky girl!!

3katz4me, we haven’t really made any plans yet, but if we do stay in Aiken then a GTG is a definite possibility! Congrats on having tickets for the women’s amateur! Augusta National is amazing — you’ll love it.