Masters 2025: How difficult is it to get your hands on a Masters gnome?

AUGUSTA, Ga. — The moment you step foot on the grounds at Augusta National, it’s everything you hoped it would be, the perfect blend of golf serenity with the anticipation of the year’s first major. The other thing that stands true is the ever-growing buzz around the now most sought-after prize after the green jacket, the Masters gnome.

I’m fortunate to be at Augusta for the second time and this year I was determined to get my hands on one of these little (or not so little) guys. It’s worth mentioning, this has been an ongoing topic at home between my wife and I, and let’s just say she doesn’t support my quest to bring one back to our small one-bedroom apartment in New York City, but nonetheless I was focused going into the week.

You may have heard stories about there only being a small number of big nomes (price tag, $49.50) available each day, that they sell out within the first hour and patrons are spending north of three hours waiting in line, just hoping shelves will still be stocked. And that's accurate— the long lines that almost act as a guard of honor as you head down the walkways is really a sight to behold. The quest began on Monday, 8 a.m. on the dot with my colleague, Luke, we set out to the main golf shop and to my amazement, there was no line. I thought “There’s no way it’s going to be this easy.” I was right. we were informed that no members of the media were able to shop before 9 a.m. that day due to the inclement weather and patrons took priority. It was a little jab to the chin at the time, but very understandable given the circumstances.

Luke and I had a brainwave: Let’s head towards the smaller shop by Hole 5; it’s just a few minutes' walk away, and by the time we get there, it will be closer to 9 a.m. We can get in line and all will fall into place. We arrived to see no line and we were quickly informed that no media or staff could shop at all today, please try again tomorrow. The realization hit right there that this was going to be as difficult as everyone says.

Fast forward to Tuesday and I’m feeling rejuvenated, and today was the day I was going to make it happen. Once again, I set off first thing, this time with a different colleague, Meredith, just as determined as me, and we headed straight towards Hole 5. (I’d just like to add at this point that I’m fully aware people would bite my arm off to be walking around Augusta National and, believe me, although I was locked in on getting this gnome, the gravity of the week was certainly not lost on me.) Anyway, the first moment of truth arrives: How long is the line going to be? Answer: 50 minutes. Not too bad, but longer than expected given the time of day. We had walked too far to turn around, and even if they were sold out, I had a long wish list from friends and family that I wanted to check off anyway so I can actually focus on what I'm there to do, cover the 2025 Masters!

Standing in line watching what felt like every single patron walk out of the shop carrying their new gnome couldn’t have been more of a tease, counting each one just knowing stock was limited. The time passes pretty quickly, and the second moment of truth arrives: Will there be any left? The first thing we see is a wall of mini gnomes, and I already have two at home, so not on this year’s wish list. Remembering from two years ago where the big gnomes lived in the shop, I made a turn and they were nowhere to be found. A little deterred, my focus quickly turned to other mementos I’d like to take home, and as I walked toward the back of the store, to my amazement, there they were—roughly 50 Masters gnomes right in front of me! Mission accomplished! I immediately had three thoughts: 1. I can’t believe I got one. 2. Now I can relax and enjoy the week, and 3. My wife’s going to kill me.

The shopping obviously didn’t end there , and no more than 10 minutes after the gnome hit my basket, they sold out for the day, and my sense of achievement grew even bigger. The final hurdle was telling my wife that I was bringing Au(Gus)ta home with me, and, thankfully, my text later that day was met with nothing more than a rolling eyes emoji. Was it worth the stress and time? Yes. Would I do it again if I’m lucky enough to come back? In a heartbeat.