5 Great Spots at Augusta National to Watch the Masters

It's Masters week baby! The best week of the year for golf fans. Every year hundreds of thousands of people put there name into the lottery to be able to purchase tickets for the Master's tournament. It is one of the hardest sporting event tickets to get and it's all due to demand, not pricing like some other major sporting events. If you are ever one of the lucky ones who gets chosen in the Masters lottery I've got a few great spots to post up at for a bit and watch some of the world's best golfers from mere feet away, at one of the most prestigious courses on the planet. Something to remember when at Augusta is you can sit in any open green chair for as long as you'd like until the owner returns. People get to the course before dawn so they can get the spots they want then they go walk the course leaving the seats to anyone until they return. With that in mind lets go through some of my favorite spots I found while watching the 2022 Masters 3rd and 4th rounds. These 5 great spots at the Masters are in no particular order or ranking.

Hole #14 Chinese Fir. Spot - Next to or behind Tee box. View - 13th fairway and green, 14 tee.

This spot allows you to not only see the players teeing off on 14 from right in front of you, but you can also watch the players coming up the 13th hole. You'll have a full view of everyone playing 13 from fairway through green. This spot is also right near one of the food and drink areas (which you will never see on TV. It's actually incredible how they hide these buildings on the broadcast), so grab a couple beers and some BBQ sandwiches and get yourself a good spot to watch 2 holes at once. Chinese Fir.

Hole #11 White Dogwood. Spot - Behind the tee box. View - Full View of tee and 11 fairway.

This is a sneaky good spot to watch this hole for a bit. I was shocked that not more people were doing it. Maybe they didn't think they were allowed or maybe they just didn't want to walk up the hill from the 10th green. The walk is is about a 30 yard incline for about 60 yards. Standing behind the tee box you get a view of the entire 11th hole from tee to green. In this location you feel even more isolated because around the tee box you are surrounded by Georgia Pines and bushes. Last year there were about 12 of us back there, including the pairs of golfers and caddies + tv crew. It was an incredible experience hearing the players conversations with each other and the planning their shot with their caddie. Word of advice, make the walk up the hill (or cut through the trees next to the 10th fairway. Definitely worth it. White Dogwood.

Hole #5 Magnolia. Spot - Behind Tee Box. View - Entire hole, tee to green.

If you've been to Augusta National, but haven't been there in a while they renovated the area behind the 5th tee box. What used to be trees and bushed close to the back of the box is now a gorgeous open area that almost feels like you've taken a stroll in a quiet park. When walking the course Sunday morning last year before any of the groups had made it to the 5th hole, we just sat there enjoying the peace and view of the 5th hole's layout. It was so quiet and secluded there that multiple people came up to ask us about the broadcast Trackman device because they thought we were with the TV crew. Whether you stick around to watch the players tee off or not it's a really nice place to stand and enjoy the peace and quiet before the crowds fill in. Magnolia.

Hole #10 Camellia. Spot - Midway Down Fairway (either side). View - Approach shot and putt.

Find the fairway camera guy. They set up where they are because they've seen these guys tee off hundreds of times throughout the years. They know where the ball is going to end up off the tee box most times. This actually is good advice for all par 4 or par 5 holes at any course, but especially courses they play year after year. Camellia.

Hole #12 Golden Bell. Spot - Tee Box, Grandstand or Chairs (Only Options). View - Entire hole tee to green.

When you think of The Masters and Augusta National the first hole you probably think of is this par 3 in Amen Corner. It's the hole that is shown in all the television promos, still photos and ads for The Masters. Of course this is a great spot to sit, it's a legendary hole. This is a two for one though because from this vantage point you can also see the players approach shots, and putts, on the 11th hole which is just to the left in the above photo. An example of the sitting in any seat, last year I with my dad in the 2nd row on the right side of the tee box for an hour and a half feet away watching golfer after golfer come through and play the 12th hole.  Golden Bell.

These are just five spots I found as great locations for seeing players at Augusta. Depending when you are there, whether it be practice rounds or the 1st two rounds you may find better or other great locations on the course to watch some players. Whether you love golf or absolutely have no interest in it, Augusta National and the Masters is more than just watching golf. It's an experience, it's a nice day long stroll in a beautiful park with usually great weather. Bonus this park just happens to have food and drinks priced at regular people prices. I hope you make it to Augusta at some point, and I hope to one day make it back to Augusta.

Word of advice: Get their super early, gates open at 6a. If you have Masters chairs set them up where you want to be your home base and then go walk the course. The whole course from 1 tee to 18 green. It's such a whirlwind once things get going, but when you're at home watching on TV it's really cool to know where these guys are hitting from and how tough these shots really are.

If there is 1 thing Gen X & Millennials have done right, it's making beer better. I say this in all seriousness. This is not to say the the back end of the baby boomers haven't joined in and had an impact on the craft beer scene (you need to say this because they get upset easily), but let us have this one would ya! Thankfully we've had a beer revolution, and we have some really great craft breweries in Pennsylvania. Imagine if we were all still drinking Piels or Schaefer. Pour one out for my grand pop Dave Connelly, Schaefer was his go to for a long time.

All of the beers listed here can be found in beer stores, and now certain grocery stores since PA finally began pulling back some of the antiquated alcohol laws here.

Disclaimer: I'm not some beer connoisseur who has any clue what certain hops taste like. I just know what tastes I like, so here are 5 beers from Pennsylvania breweries you should give a try this summer.

Blood Money ABV 6.7%

A seasonal offering during the spring and summer from Conshohocken Brewing Company. I'm sure you can find it in one of their 4 tasting rooms throughout the area Conshy, KOP, Bridgeport and Phoenixville but if you're at a Phillies game before you get to the brewery you can find Blood Money at most of the carts at Citizens Bank Park that sell craft beer options. I've never had an issue finding it along the 100 level concourse.

Cloudy with a Chance of Charcuterie ABV 7%

Freewill Brewing is based out of Perkasie, PA and their beer labels are almost as god as their beers. I've had a handful of their beers over the years each of which I found delicious. Including, and surprisingly, a habenero peach beer that I was gifted. Most recently when a warm February Sunday turned into a Sunday Funday for the parents while the kids played outside my neighbor brought down Cloudy with a Chance of Charcuterie. Add it to the list!

If you're ever in Peddler's Village Freewill has a small tasting room that is a great place you can stop in while seeing the sights or attending whatever festival may be going on. You've never deserved to stop in a tasting room for a beer more than after building your kids 2 scarecrows at a scarecrow festival... without their help.

Broken Heels ABV 7%

New Trail is out of Williamsport, PA, so there is a slim chance you're making it up to their brewery unless you're going to the Little League World Series, or camping up that way. I discovered New Trail in my Giant Food store's beer section. I was just perusing the selection and I'm not really sure what caught my eye, but I'm glad it did. Now New Trail has become a staple in my beer fridge and it might become one in yours too. Introduce yourself to New Trail Brewing Company with Broken Heels.

Ultracush Hazy IPA ABV 6%

I'm disappointed it took me until I was 35 to try anything from Neshaminy Creek. I mean it's been a short 20 minute drive from me since I was 21. The first time I had anything from Neshaminy Creek was at a birthday party a few weeks ago. There are probably a few beers I could have put in this spot, but we'll go with something that is available year round from Neshaminy. Ultracush is a solid beer to dip your toe into their selection.

Queen of Prussia ABV 5%

Workhorse Brewing Company is based in King Of Prussia, but I've always found them available in my local beer stores and supermarkets if you don't have any plans on being in KOP. I've tried multiple selections from workhorse and they get a lot of thumbs up, but here I'll mention a session beer they've got. Queen of Prussia beer is a good beer for your summer drinking, especially if it's an extended afternoon like a bbq or some summer party. It's got great flavor, but it won't knock you on your butt after 2 or 3. If you want that, try their Clocked In Hazy Double IPA (ABV 8.8%).