To Do List at The Masters: First Time Guide

Consider this your to do list at The Masters if this is your first time going. The Masters means a lot of things to a lot of people. For some it's the first sign that Spring is here. For others it's the holy grail of golf. No matter what camp you fall into, going to The Masters is on most golfers and sports fans bucket list. If you're going for the first time this year there are some things you must check off your to do list at The Masters.

There are so many things on a first timers' to do list at The Masters. And depending what day your badge is for, you can document your time. Cameras are permitted during practice rounds on the grounds at Augusta National. If your first experience at The Masters is for a practice round all of the tournament day amenities are available.

Patrons on Wednesday get the best of both worlds. The elite players in the field are usually out on the course for at least 9 holes making final preparations. The Par-3 Contest is one of the coolest traditions in golf. The golfers are relaxed and really taking in the beauty of Augusta National and the patrons during the Par-3.

It is a great way to see how these guys play a round with their buddies. It's a ton of fun, but you have to get there early and claim your spot with your chair. I have never been to the Par-3, but it has to be on your to do list at The Masters if you're going to be there on Wednesday.

For patrons with badges for Thursday through Sunday things are a little different. Cameras are not permitted and neither are cell phones on tournament days. Leave your phone in your car. If you forget and bring it to the gate there is a check stand where you can leave it for the day. It feels weird at first, but after an hour it's a luxury. It seems silly, but put this on your to do list at The Masters.

Even if your plan is to follow a group or two around the course, having a home base is nice if you want to rest your legs in the middle of the day. It can also be a great meet up spot if your group gets separated. There are no cell phones, so getting separated can present a problem if you don't have a meet up point. Once you set it down just put a business card in the back pocket and that will be your chair for the rest of the day. It is worth it to get a chair.

Try all of the food. The pimento cheese sandwich steals all the headlines. However my go-to is the chicken sandwich. This will take you back to middle school lunch with its simplicity. Add some honey mustard to it. trust me. The ice cream is also very popular on hotter days. Get them early because they tend to go quickly.

My last piece of advice for what should be on a first timers to do list at The Masters is a little superficial. But you have to go to the clubhouse and get your Masters gear. Fair warning: you can spend a ton of money here if you're not careful. I normally load up on hats for friends and business associates. The thought goes a really long ways, and for someone who loves golf the Masters logo is instantly recognizable.

So there it is; your to do list at The Masters. Prepare ahead of time, enjoy the time you have on the course, and soak in the atmosphere. For my money Augusta National is the best sporting event to attend in the world.

The 9 Best Public Golf Courses in Southwest Florida. Fort Myers and Naples have some of the nicest golf courses in the country – the only problem is, to play these, you either need a rich friend who belongs at one of the courses, or you need to part ways with a couple hundred thousand to become a member yourself.

Don’t have either? You’re still in luck!   Southwest Florida has a litany of fun and challenging public courses open year-round to the average bloke. They may not offer the luxury amenities such as iced towels, golf carts outfitted with GPS and speakers, and Pro-V1 range balls, but the beers are just as cold and often times the cart girls are better looking!

I put these courses through a screening process and am basing this on certain criteria – first and foremost, they need to be open year-round for public play. After that, I judged them on: Layout (fun vs challenging), Condition and Amenities, Rates, Cart Girls (when applicable), and of course, the 19th hole. So, text your buddies, wash your balls, and tee up at these local favorites year round.  

These are The 9 Best Public Golf Courses in Southwest Florida

Don’t sleep on this muni – affordable rates and easy to score. I am listing this course for the golfers who like to have a good time playing. Pack a few beers, grab a transfusion at the turn, and swing away with no regard! Don’t come here if you’re bougie – but if you enjoy a good buzz and a good time without breaking the bank, San Carlos Golf Club is a great option. 

Eagle Ridge has great rates year round – even during season (October through May). Decent layout and can score if you’re playing well. The are several downsides though - you could easily get stuck behind several slow foursomes, the 19th hole is more reminiscent of a small deli, and if it rains for a few days make sure wear your mud boots as the drainage is poor.    

A hidden gem in Cape Coral. They don’t allow coolers, but not sure that has ever stopped anyone. Not the cheapest during season, but you can find good deals sometimes on golfnow.com  

River Hall is a little hike from Fort Myers or Naples, and that is probably why this course is still public, but if you can make it out there you won’t be disappointed. Great layout, nice amenities, and the course is usually in great shape.  

Once a top 50 Public Golf Course in the Country, Eastwood Golf Course is a staple if you grew up in Fort Myers. This course is one of two public courses owned and maintained by the City of Fort Myers. Next to a nature center and it’s not uncommon to see Bald Eagles, Alligators, and Snakes along the track.  

Shell Point is easily one of the most fun courses on the list. The different tee boxes can make this course very scorable or very challenging. It’s always in great shape, but the problem is…it’s a dry course. I can’t stress this enough – pack your own drinks, if you’re into that kind of thing.  

Old Corkscrew is actually the nicest course on this list, however, the price keeps it at #3. This Jack Nicholas layout and the greens will certainly challenge the best golfers, but will make you feel like a pro if you can shoot a low round. Just watch out for the alligators, seriously…. 

Pretty fun layout on this tract. Not always in the best shape but it’s affordable, fun, has great drinks (thanks to having Duffy’s at the turn), and can be quite challenging if the wind is blowing. A lot of water on this course – starting with the water range. Runner up for best 19th hole also! 

Sure, I’m a little biased because I grew up here and have played Fort Myers 1,000 times – but it never gets old. Some holes were actually redesigned a few years ago (5th Tee Box used to give slicers nightmares). This course has great rates, fun to play (several drivable par 4s), cart girls, and by far the best 19th hole in the area, The Edison! Always a fun time at “The Fort.”