Every April, golf fans around the world turn their attention to one of the sports’ most revered competitions: The Masters Tournament. Set against the manicured grass and blooming azaleas at the Augusta National Golf Club, the Masters is rich with tradition and sporting history. 

In this guide, we explore the history of the Masters, highlight defining traditions, and revisit unforgettable moments to showcase what makes the Masters unlike any other event in golf.

In the early 1930s, American golf legend Bobby Jones stepped away from competitive golf after completing his Grand Slam. But, he wasn’t finished with the game just yet. He set out to create a tournament that celebrated the game at its highest level. Partnering with investment banker Clifford Roberts, they bought a former nursery in Augusta, Georgia. And with architect Alister MacKenzie, they built what would become the iconic Augusta National Golf Club.

The tournament debuted as the Augusta National Invitational in March 1934 and quickly established itself as one of golf’s most coveted titles. The tournament adopted the name The Masters in 1939, reflecting Roberts’ belief that its competitors represented the masters of golf, despite Jones’ early reservations. Today, the Masters stands alongside the PGA Championships, U.S. Open, and Open Championship as one of the four men’s majors. Unlike the others, it remains invitation-only, welcoming a select pool of top professionals and leading amateurs.

Held each April and played over 72 holes, the Masters marks the first major golf tournament of the year. It’s a four-day test of precision, nerve and legacy with a prize purse now firmly seated in the seven figures.

While the Masters is rich in history, it’s equally defined by traditions as distinctive as the tournament itself. 

The Green Jacket is arguably the most iconic symbol of the Masters. Introduced in 1949, it signifies membership to an exclusive club of champions and is kept by the winner for the year.

Traditionally, the coat is presented by the previous year’s winner. Unless you’re Jack Nicklaus who was the first to win the tournament back-to-back and donned the jacket himself!

Each Tuesday before the tournament, past champions gather for the exclusive Champions Dinner. The defending champion is the host and chooses the menu, often featuring dishes from their home nation. 

Notable menus include, Scotsman Sandy Lyle’s haggis and Vijay Singh’s kah and chicken panang curry from Fiji. Most famously, US legend Tiger Woods had platters of cheeseburgers, chicken sandwiches and fries with milkshakes after becoming the youngest Masters winner in 1997.

Every Wednesday before Thursday’s first round, players take to the Par-3 course for a light-hearted but fiercely competitive nine-hole course. Introduced in 1960, it's become a heartwarming tradition with players’ families and children often starring as caddies.

No discussion of the Masters is complete without mentioning the tournament’s greatest icon: the $1.50 pimento cheese sandwich. 

A staple on Masters menus since the 1940s, it features three cheeses, diced pimentos, and a generous dollop of mayonnaise on soft white bread. While it does contain 556 calories and 35g of fat, it’s an indulgently delicious piece of Augusta history served in a paper bag (in Masters green, of course).

With its rich traditions, terminology at Augusta National reflects the tournament’s sense of heritage and formality. The table below highlights some of the distinctive terms you’ll hear throughout Masters week and what they mean for viewers following the action.