A ticket lottery just for spectators to get in, a strict dress code for fans and even an electronics ban.
Yes, an electronics ban. Phones, laptops, tablets and drones and anything “capable of transmitting photo/video” are not allowed at Augusta National Golf Course, per the Masters’ website.
Fitness tracking bands and smartwatches are the only exceptions listed.
Rory McIlroy will look to defend his Masters title in 2026 after his first career win last year. REUTERS Former British Open champ Mark Calcavecchia found out just how seriously Augusta takes those rules after he was kicked off the course Wednesday for having a phone.
The Masters also prohibits using devices such as the aforementioned smartwatches for phone calls, texts or recording video and audio. Courtesy phones are available on the side of the course if guests need to make a call. Guests can also check their phones in at the Tournament Checkstands before walking onto Augusta National’s grounds.
Cameras are also prohibited on tournament days but can be used for personal use during practice days.
Other prohibited items include radios, TVs, noisemakers, chairs/seats with pointed ends, strollers and any food or beverages.
If patrons break any of these rules, they can be removed and lose their tickets permanently.
The 2026 Masters begins Thursday, April 9 and runs until Sunday, April 12. It will be streamed on ESPN and CBS.
Augusta National has strict electronics policies, allowing only smartwatches and fitness bands. AP Rory McIlroy will look to defend his title and become the first back-to-back winner since Tiger Woods in 2001-02. McIlroy exorcised his demons last year, defeating Justin Rose for his first career Masters title.
The win also completed McIlroy’s career grand slam, becoming the sixth golfer to do so.
For McIlroy, it was a massive weight off his shoulders — his first major championship win since 2014. Now, he’s solely focused on another, he said Tuesday.
“There’s still a lot that I want to do,’’ McIlroy said. “You think every time you achieve something or have success that you’ll be happy, but then the goalposts move, and they just keep nudging a little bit further and further out of reach.
“I think the nice thing now is instead of it being, ‘Come on, Rory, you know you can do this,’ it’s [trying to win] back-to-back,’’ he added.
Entering this year’s Masters, the 90th edition, Scottie Scheffler is the No. 1-ranked player in in the world, with McIlroy in second.
Scheffler will try for his third title in five years and attempt to thwart McIlroy’s repeat attempt.
