Winning the Masters Tournament and donning the coveted green jacket is one of the greatest accomplishments in professional golf. As a reward for winning at Augusta National, Masters champions earn a lifetime invitation to participate in the annual tournament, as well as a few other membership perks at the famed club.
Lifetime Masters Invitation
Masters winners receive a lifetime exemption to play in the tournament. This exempts them from having to qualify each year like most professional golfers. As long as they remain an active competitor, Masters champions can continue playing in the tournament for as long as they wish.
This lifetime invitation is considered one of the major perks of winning at Augusta. It gives past champions the chance to come back year after year and relive the magic. Considering how difficult it is to qualify for the Masters through other means, the lifetime exemption gives winners an invaluable opportunity.
In addition to the Masters itself, winners also get special access to the Champions Dinner. This is an exclusive event held each year on the Tuesday before the tournament begins. Only Masters winners and club officials are allowed to attend this prestigious dinner.
Augusta National Membership
Along with the Masters invitation, winning the tournament also comes with the offer of a membership to Augusta National Golf Club. This private club is one of the most exclusive in the world, so the membership is a coveted reward.
Masters winners are officially invited to join the club shortly after their victory. For example, 2021 winner Hideki Matsuyama received his invitation in a formal letter from the club chairman just days after donning the green jacket.
However, the Masters champion is not obligated to accept the membership offer. Some choose to decline because they do not live nearby or may not be able to frequently visit the club to justify the membership cost. But for those that do join, it grants them private access to the storied course and club.
Membership Perks and Restrictions
Accepting an Augusta National membership comes with certain perks and restrictions:
- Can play at Augusta National year-round, outside of when it’s closed for maintenance weeks and the Masters itself
- Can bring guests to play at the club, depending on guest policies
- Privileged access to the club’s amenities like restaurants, practice facilities, locker room, etc.
- No access to the club’s annual membership cost – this is estimated to be a six figure fee for regular members
- No ownership equity in the club
- Must follow all membership rules and etiquette guidelines
In summary, Masters winners who accept membership can play at Augusta frequently through the year, but they forgo ownership and voting rights at the club. Their membership terms are essentially set in perpetuity after winning the tournament.
Green Jacket Benefits
The famed green jacket is instantly recognizable worldwide as the symbol of a Masters victory. But more than just a trophy, it also confers special access and privileges to the champions who own them.
Green jacket holders have wide-ranging access at Augusta National. They can access the club grounds during tournament week, enter the clubhouse at any time, and use the Champions Locker Room. Winners also have charging privileges at the club.
When it comes to the Masters itself, green jackets signify VIP status. Winners have access to tickets, parking passes, and hospitality venues during tournament week. They also have the option to stay in the Crow’s Nest suite above the clubhouse, which is reserved for invited amateurs and past champions.
Green Jacket Restrictions
For as much access as the green jacket provides, there are also strict rules about its use:
- Can only be worn at Augusta National
- Must be returned to the club exactly one year after the win, then a new personalized jacket is ordered
- Cannot be gifted or sold to anyone else
- Winners are liable for replacement cost if the jacket is lost or damaged
In essence, the green jacket’s privileges only extend as far as Augusta National and the Masters Tournament itself. But within those confines, it grants champions tremendous access befitting their achievement.
Playing Privileges for Former Champions
Winning a green jacket bestows playing privileges at Augusta National for the rest of a champion’s life. But with each passing year, playing the course becomes more sporadic rather than regular.
In the years shortly after their wins, champions often return to play the course several times throughout the year. But as they get further removed from their victories, visits become less frequent. Once they retire from professional golf and begin aging, most play Augusta only around Masters week.
However, some champions continue playing Augusta National on a regular basis well into their senior years. For example, Jack Nicklaus made a point to visit and play each month even as he approached age 80.
| Champion | Years Since Last Win | Estimated Frequency of Play |
|---|---|---|
| Hideki Matsuyama | 1 | 5+ times/year |
| Patrick Reed | 4 | 2-3 times/year |
| Phil Mickelson | 12 | 1-2 times/year |
| Tiger Woods | 14 | 1-2 times/year |
| Nick Faldo | 25 | Only during Masters week |
This table demonstrates how newer Masters winners tend to use their playing access more frequently, and older champions taper their visits over time. But regardless of age or years removed from a win, all Masters champions retain playing privileges at Augusta for life.
Family Guest Policies
Masters winners are able to bring guests with them to Augusta National subject to the club’s policies. Immediate family members have the most access.
Wives are granted full membership privileges should their husband accept the membership offer. They can visit the club, use its facilities, and bring guests.
Minor children are also allowed access whenever accompanying their father. Once they become adults, Augusta’s policies on grown children vary:
- Sons – Can play with their father until they turn 21, after which they need their own invite from a member
- Daughters – Can play with their father for life, but cannot bring guests unless married to a member
Grandchildren follow similar access rules. They can play until age 21 if male, and for life if female. Beyond immediate family, champions can bring guests like friends or more distant relatives, subject to the club’s guest limits.
Conclusion
In summary, winning the Masters Tournament comes with a lifetime of perks and privileges at Augusta National. Champions receive a permanent Masters invitation, a green jacket conferring special access, complimentary membership offer, and wide-ranging playing privileges on the course.
As years pass, most champions visit Augusta less frequently than in the immediate aftermath of their victory. But the opportunity remains to play the famed course through their lifetime. Wives and daughters in particular enjoy lifetime access privileges by relation. In all, becoming a Masters champion provides a ticket to enjoy Augusta National’s riches for many years to come.