First, to clarify: You're allowed to buy tickets second-hand, but not within 2,700 feet of the entrance. We're not condoning it by any means, but apparently if you stand outside Gate 9, those leaving the event and not planning to return will often offer-up their passes for sale. It's been known to cost anywhere from $50 (during practice rounds) to upwards of $2,000.
Here's the quickest way to situate your seat on the 18th green
The grounds open at 7 a.m., so get there at least an hour early. An hour and a half before would be better. Power walk through the main gate (no running allowed) towards the first tee at the top of the big hill. Take the fairway crossing to your right and make a left once you reach the ninth hole. You'll see the 18th green at this point. Stay focused. Make your way around the ninth green and place your seat in your desired location. In all, it should take you about two minutes.
Augusta National isn't as expensive as you think
On all ends of the spectrum. It's been reported that initiation fees are somewhere between $10,000 and $30,000, plus yearly dues of about $10,000 -- all pretty cheap considering the course. Inside the grounds during the Masters, sandwiches of all kinds and beer will only set you back a few bucks each, proving that Augusta National really might be the best place on earth.
You have to pay for your green jacket
Once you're initiated as a member to Augusta National, aside from the initiation fee, new members must purchase their own green jacket. Considering what it is, it's not very expensive -- jackets are believed to cost about $250.
It's rare to see more than two green jackets grouped together
What do we mean by that? According to multiple people with knowledge of the situation, outside of member-only events, Augusta National remains very much about members bringing guests to play. It's rare that a group of four members will show up to play in a group.
If you do play there, don't take pictures (they have people that will find out)
One Augusta National frequenter with knowledge of the situation said that once, during a round with a member, he decided to snap a few pictures of himself and the course. He posted them online where they lived happily ever after for about 24 hours, until he got a call from the member on behalf of the course asking him, politely, to remove them.
Getting kicked out of Augusta National is rare, but it happens
As Ron Sirak reported in his article, "What's It Like To Be A Member?", members rarely tread so wrongly that they're expelled from the club, but some have. In those instances, there's no grand hearing -- the bill for the yearly dues simply stops arriving.
Nassau is the game of choice. . .but don't bet too much money
Sirak's piece also describes how Nassau is the game of choice among members, but that big money betting is heavily frowned upon at Augusta National. It's rare that someone will win more than $75.
There are still no ladies tees
Augusta National may now boast two female members, but it's an open secret that there remains no women's tees on the course -- just members tees and tournament tees. Take your pick.
