CBS’s Jim Nantz said it best: The Masters is a tradition unlike any other.
But the first men’s major of the year and annual rite of spring is made up of so many traditions — from pimento cheese sandwiches to meeting under the tree to walking and not running to hearing the famous Masters music — that we wondered what were the favorites of the pros. None of those mentioned above were named in this year’s Golfweek Masters Survey when we posed the question of what’s your favorite Masters tradition? Instead, they came up with even better answers. Check them out below.
Jack Nicklaus plays a shot during the Par 3 Contest prior to the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 10, 2019 in Augusta, Georgia.
Curtis Strange
The ceremonial tee shot by the Honorary Starters is pretty special. It honors the past. It’s just a nice touch. As a young pro and recently married, my wife Sarah was standing over there and Jock Hutchinson was coming by in a golf cart and he looked like death warmed over, he must have been 90 years old, and he winked at her. I still laugh about that. God bless him, I hope I can wink at 90.
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Ludvig Aberg
I like the no phone rule for patrons.
Keegan Bradley
The par-3 contest. I look forward to it every year for me and my boys and everyone enjoys it.
Craig Stadler
The Champions Dinner. If you’re invited to Tuesday night, it’s the best. I don’t see those guys hardly at all except for that night. It’s special. It’s special every time I turn down Magnolia Lane.
Jack Nicklaus
Wearing the Green Jacket as a Masters champion. It’s the symbol of Augusta National.
Fred Couples
The big thing for me is getting there and playing a couple nine-hole practice rounds with my buddies that I never see.
Jason Day
Getting there early and getting my work done. It’s a little bit harder now with the Drive, Chip and Putt and Augusta National Women’s Amateur.
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Harris English
The Par-3 Contest. Now that I have a daughter, I understand it more. Before I had kids I wouldn’t say it was a hassle but now I get it and it’s something I really look forward to.
Rickie Fowler
I haven’t been a part of it, but I think the Champions Dinner there is the coolest thing. Other events have one but that’s the one you want to be on the invite list for. You must earn your way.
Padraig Harrington
The Masters signified the start of the golf season for me back home in Ireland. People think the Masters is a big deal in the States, but it’s a way bigger deal certainly for Europe because we didn’t get golf on TV back when I was growing up. We got 12 hours a day of The Open, and we got three hours from 8 o’clock to 11 o’clock of the back nine of the Masters. It was literally watch the Masters, now we’re ready to play golf.
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Xander Schauffele
The Par-3 Contest is cool. I haven’t played it all the time but as my kid gets older I probably will. It’s very kid friendly and fun and just the smallest break from the serious nature of the rest of the week.
Wyndham Clark
The Champions Dinner is something that is so unique and cool. It’s a small fraternity of people who have won the Masters. It seems like such a cool thing to celebrate that you’re in an exclusive club.
Zach Johnson
My biggest joy and it’s become a tradition for me is when I’m able to take someone who has never been down Magnolia Lane in my car. My other personal tradition is whenever I host someone there, I buy them a tie from the club.
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Gary Player
The ceremonial tee shot, without question. To stand on that first tee with my brothers, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, and now Tom Watson, men I spent my life competing with and admiring, is deeply emotional. Millions of people around the world are watching us for just one single shot. It represents everything the Masters has meant to us.
J.J. Spaun
The par-3 contest with my kids.
Trevor Immelman
There are so many great traditions at the Masters, but the ability to attend the Champions Dinner is so special. Catching up with and hearing stories from all the legendary champions is something I look forward to every year.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: 2026 Golfweek Masters Survey: What’s your favorite Masters tradition?
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