The Masters is the best-run tournament in golf and we can listen to pros wax rhapsodic about how much they love Augusta National all day. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few things that annoy players during Masters week.
We’re talking pet peeves and first-world problems. We’re not talking about curing cancer or anything really important but it is still interesting to hear how some of the players would make the Masters even a little better. Traffic and tickets — good luck fixing either of those — were popular picks but some of them fell in the category of things that make you go hmm…
And then there was Tony Finau, who threw some shade on the famous sandwiches sold at the concession stands. That might not go over well with the Green Jackets but we respect the honesty even if we’re not jumping on board with that Finau Fresh hot take.
Billy Horschel
John Ussery, Assistant Director of the Augusta Traffic Engineering Division, speaks during a press conference at the Augusta, Georgia, Traffic Management Center ahead of the 2024 Masters. (Photo: Katie Goodale/USA TODAY)
It’s so trivial but where we park our cars. Then you have to go to the clubhouse and come back to the driving range and that’s where the fitness trailers are. That journey back and forth is a time suck. They do have carts to transport us and it’s so trivial but that’s the one I would say.
Brian Harman
Masters golf traffic signs. (Photo: Michael Holahan/Augusta Chronicle)
The traffic.
Cameron Young
Cameron Young walks the fourth fairway alongside wife Kelsey Dalition and son Henry during the Par 3 Contest at ahead of the 2023 Masters. (Photo: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Network)
We have two kids and my wife isn’t allowed to bring a stroller in the gates.
Collin Morikawa
Collin Morikawa walks the 10th fairway during the second round of the 2023 Masters. (Photo: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Network)
Making sure I don’t use my phone too often. I’ve learned I can sneak it around to a few spots. I’m used to hitting a few balls and looking at my phone and Augusta’s not the place to do that.
Gary Woodland
Gary Woodland takes a shot on the 13th hole during the final round of the 2023 Masters. (Photo: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Network)
No cell phones. It’s hard to get in touch with my family when they are out running about. I always tell my friends that I give tickets to, whatever you do, don’t bring in your phone. I can’t have that come back on me.
Harris English
Harris English tees off on hole 18 during the final round of the 2024 Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass. (Photo: Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union)
Growing up in Georgia, I know a lot of people in the crowd. It’s got pros and cons. You feel like you need to talk to everybody and you want to focus on the game but you also want to see people. I love that it’s such a home game but it makes it hard to lock in on your golf.
Jason Day
The sign for Amen Corner at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports)
The build up. I tend to over-think that week. There’s so much information and stats about the place. You just want the week to start and that can be the hardest thing.
Justin Thomas
Justin Thomas gestures to the patrons after making his putt on the second green during the first round of the 2023 Masters. (Photo: Rob Schumacher/USA TODAY)
How quickly it is over.
Keegan Bradley
A patron displays her pass in her hat during the Par 3 Contest at The Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Rob Schumacher/USA TODAY)
Everyone wants to come so it can get stressful with tickets but it’s also a great thing too. I give them to my family and let them sort it out.
Kevin Streelman
Kevin Streelman watches his putt on the fifth green during the second round of the 2024 Valspar Championship. (Photo: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports)
Not being able to use your cell phone. That and you always feel like you’re on the verge of doing something wrong.
Matt Fitzpatrick
Matthew Fitzpatrick works on his bunker play with the help of his coach Mike Walker during practice ahead of the the 2021 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. (Photo: Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
No coaches allowed inside the ropes.
Matt Kuchar
A patron wears a collection of badges on his hat during a practice round for the 2018 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports)
Handling ticket requests are really challenging. Having an allotment of eight tickets simplifies the answer of being able to say we only get eight but then there’s a skill in rotating the people you do want to come. I’ve got a system.
Padraig Harrington
Padraig Harrington lines up his putt on the second green during the first round of the 2022 Masters. (Photo: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports)
Everyone else is having a great time. People don’t realize that for us (players) it’s one of the most stressful weeks of the year.
Steve Stricker
Steve Stricker walks to the seventh green during the third round of the 2013 Masters. (Photo: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY Sports)
You feel like you’re walking on eggshells. You have to be careful about just about everything you do.
Stewart Cink
Stewart Cink looks on during the first round of the 2024 Farmers Insurance Open on the Torrey Pines. (Photo: Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)
Housing. They charge an arm and a leg.
Tony Finau
Chase Abbott of Augusta, Georgia, carries 18 sandwiches during a practice round ahehad of the 2023 Masters. (Photo: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Network)
The sandwiches. They are pretty standard. I think people hype it up because we’re eating it at Augusta National but it’s a backyard, my Grandma made this when I was six sandwich. I think they are very overrated.
Will Zalatoris
Will Zalatoris plays his shot from the second tee during the third round of the 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational. (Photo: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports)
Nothing. Absolutely, nothing.
Zach Johnson
A patron wears a hat covered in Masters badges during the final round of the 2022 Masters Tournament. (Photo: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports)
There is one?
The ticket situation. Everyone wants to go and you only have so many each day. But I realized it’s also an absolute blessing.
