It’s one of the great ironies: AT&T is one of the primary sponsors at the Masters and yet the club remains staunch in its no cell phone policy. Some love it – patrons actually watching shots at the Masters rather than film them with their phones, what a novel concept! – but others, not so much. It takes some planning and a dose of luck to do an old-school meetup under the famed tree shading the clubhouse rather than send a simple text, saying, “I’m here in front of the merchandise shop.” Whatever you do, don’t get busted sneaking in a phone because that’s a major no-no and grounds for removal and loss of a badge or being even able to enter the lottery again.
Media are permitted to bring their phones into the media center and use them inside (with some restrictions) but it can’t be used as a recorder or as a camera on property. Getting caught with a phone outside the media center is a punishable offense that will lead to a loss of privileges, including all those free peach ice-cream sandwiches.
But what about the players? There’s actually an assigned room in the locker room where players can use their phones and Will Zalatoris said it can get pretty busy during a rain delay. But several pros said that Green Jackets have loosened the policy in recent years and are more lax in allowing contestants to use their phones to film swings on the range and to take video of crossing the Hogan Bridge and skipping balls across the water at 16 during practice rounds. The key, Matt Kuchar says, is to be discrete.
“You’re a little more nervous and unsure what you can and can’t do,” he said of Augusta’s phone policy for the players.
Brian Harman made a great point in explaining why he doesn’t bother to sneak his phone around: Who’s he going to call?
“It doesn’t do you any good to have one because anyone I need to talk to that week like my coach, manager or wife already is at the course and they don’t have one,” he said.
Here’s what players had to say about their cell phone usage.
Billy Horschel follows his shot from the fourth tee during the second round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 08, 2022 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
I keep it in my back pocket all the time until I tee off in the round. I use it on the driving range. Am I flaunting it around there? No. Not by any means.
Brian Harman tees off on the fifth hole during the first round of The Masters golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Network
I try not to. It doesn’t do you any good to have one because anyone I need to talk to that week like my coach, manager or wife already is at the course and they don’t have one.
Collin Morikawa celebrates after holing out from a bunker on the 18th hole during the final round of the 2022 Masters. (Photo: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports)
I’ve learned I can sneak it around to a few spots. I’m used to hitting a few balls (at the range) and then looking at my phone and that’s not the place to do that.
Honorary starter Gary Player tees off during the first round of the 2023 Masters. (Photo: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Network)
Never had to worry about that because I’ve never been a cell phone user.
Harris English talks with his caddie Eric Larson during the final round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2021 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
I don’t abuse it and respect the rule but use it some during the Par-3 Contest. I love that old-school aspect about the club.
Tiger Woods is greeted by Jason Day as he warms up on the practice range in preparation for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Katie Goodale-USA TODAY Sports)
I always have mine on me. I think they are more lenient these days because most guys use their phone to video swings and they understand that’s the world we’re moving towards.
Justin Thomas tees off on No. 1 during a practice round for the 2023 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Network)
I do. They’ve become way more lax with it with the players.
Keegan Bradley tees off on the fifth hole during the first round of The Masters golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Network
They let us use our phones but it’s hard because no one else has them. I have to tell my manager I’ll meet you under the tree at 2 o’clock.
Kevin Streelman waves to the crowd after putting on the second green during the second round of the 2016 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports)
You do. You end up sneaking it around. They are a little more lenient with the players than the rest of us.
Matt Kuchar chips onto the second green during the first round of the 2021 Masters. (Photo: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports)
It’s a gray area. I’m not totally sure what the real rule is for players. I try to be discrete at any golf environment but at Augusta you’re a little more nervous and unsure what you can and can’t do.
Padraig Harrington poses alongside his son Patrick and caddie Ronan Flood during the Par 3 Contest ahead of the 2009 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Back in the day we weren’t allowed to, but now they turn a blind eye to it. Back in the day, it was a genuine thing. You could bring it in and put it in your locker. Now it’s almost encouraged. They are very happy for us to post social media content. Hardly a player doesn’t post a picture of hitting at 12 or trying to skip it across 16.
Rickie Fowler at the 2018 Masters Tournament. Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images
You are, kind of, within reason. You’re not exactly walking around with it all day.
Will Zalatoris tees off on the third hole during a practice round for The Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Network
We’re able to bring them in but why try to get in trouble? You can use it if you need to take video (of your swing on the range), so yes. I take it but I’m very careful about it.
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