There are a lot of rules at Augusta National. From no cell phones to no running, there’s a right way and a wrong way to conduct oneself when on the grounds at Augusta National, and you better behave.
That goes for the pros too. So, we asked them: Have you ever stepped out of line or done something wrong at the Masters?
Turns out some of them have — or in certain cases, their family members broke the rules. From Gary Player accidentally taking his Green Jacket home to South Africa to Will Zalatoris getting instructed by a greencoat on how to walk into a press conference — bet he won’t make that mistake next time — here are the best answers to the latest Golfweek Masters Survey question.
Billy Horschel hits his approach shot from the 18th fairway during the final round of the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open. (Photo: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports)
Not that I know of. I’ve never been reprimanded in any formal way. I think times have changed and the members at Augusta realize that this is a competitive event and people are going to show some competitive fire. They are a lot more obliging to that.
Tom Watson puts the Green Jacket on 1978 Masters winner Gary Player at Augusta National Golf Club.
I supposed you know the story about when I took the green jacket home after my first win.
Gary Woodland on the course during a practice round at Augusta National Golf Club ahead of the 2024 Masters Tournament. (Photo: Augusta National)
No and I hope to keep it that way.
Jason Day gets a hug from Jon Rahm at the practice facility during a practice round for the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Katie Goodale-USA TODAY Network)
I was hitting through the trees on the practice tee near the chipping green and one of the members came over and said, “Can you stop that, please?”
Keegan Bradley hits out of a bunker on No. 16 during a practice round for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Adam Cairns-USA TODAY Network)
I haven’t but one time my sister entered the courses with me and she had her phone. She took a picture and a cop busted her and was going to kick her out. She started crying. The tears worked. The cop fake kicked her out and then let her come back in.
Matthew Fitzpatrick walks with his caddie Billy Foster during a practice round prior to the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Padraig Harrington hits a tee shot on the first hole during the first round of the 2024 Valero Texas Open. (Photo: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports)
I think my biggest transgression is I gave my wife’s ticket to my manager to get in and he was stopped and escorted out. That was like 20 years ago when managers didn’t get a pass.
Nick Price looks on from the 14th hole during the final round of the 2023 PNC Championship. (Photo: Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
If I had, I wouldn’t tell you!
Steve Stricker walks to the seventh green during the pro-am at the 2024 Galleri Classic in Rancho Mirage, California. (Photo: Andy Abeyta/The Desert Sun)
My wife has. She had her phone. Our kids were in daycare and she went into a bathroom to talk to them and she got caught doing it.
Stewart Cink hits a tee shot at the 10th hole during the third round of the 2024 Valero Texas Open. (Photo: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports)
I’ve never been caught doing anything wrong. I don’t really push the envelope there either.
Will Zalatoris hits out of a bunker on No. 16 during a practice round for the 2024 Masters Tournament Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Network)
The first time I was brought into the media center I walked ahead of the member who was in charge of media. He was totally nice about it but he was like, no, this is how you do it. I walk in first and you’ll go in that chair.
Viktor Hovland walks toward the No. 13 green during a practice round for the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Adam Cairns-USA TODAY Network)
I’m sure I have but I haven’t been told.
Zach Johnson uses solar glasses to view the eclipse during a practice round prior to the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Warren Little/Getty Images)
Twice. One was my cell phone, which was a brain fart. I did a social media post back in the day when I did social media. On the eighth hole, I took a panoramic video during a non-Masters week and I was told I had to take it down. I got my member who hosted me in trouble, which was awful. The other time was on a Wednesday (during a tournament week) on 14. I was gripping a 9-iron and it felt like my thumb had dented into the shaft. I called the Titleist rep in the middle of the fairway. The equipment trucks leave on Wednesday afternoon so I felt I had to get in touch. If I don’t, I could be playing with a non-conforming club and I can’t do that. A Green Jacket slapped my wrist telling me I can’t be doing that and I explained the situation and that was OK.
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