Rules are rules, no matter who you are. Augusta National takes that idea very seriously. Former major champion Mark Calcavecchia learned that lesson in a difficult manner at the 2026 Masters.
On Tuesday of Masters week, Calcavecchia was kicked out of Augusta National for breaking a rule essential to the identity of the club and the Masters: using a cell phone on property, according to a report from Golfweek’s Adam Schupak.
Here’s what you need to know.
Mark Calcavecchia removed from Augusta National for using phone
On Tuesday of Masters week, the competitors continue their extensive preparations at Augusta, while fans, past champions and other cherished figures in the game mill about the property.
Calcavecchia was among them. Though he never won the Masters, the 65-year-old finished runner-up to Sandy Lyle in 1988. Calcavecchia made up for his Masters loss the very next year by winning the 1989 Open Championship at Royal Troon.
He’s a well-respected figure in the game who played on four U.S. Ryder Cup teams and won 13 PGA Tour titles and four PGA Tour Champions titles in his career.
5 Masters and Augusta National Golf Club rules every patron must follow
But the veteran pro reportedly made a big mistake on Tuesday that he will surely live to regret.
According to Golfweek‘s report Calcavecchia was removed from Augusta National by Masters security on Tuesday for breaking the prohibition on cell phones.
Calcavecchia did not deny the report when reached by Golfweek, saying, “I’ve got nothing negative to say about Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters, so I think we should literally hang up right now.”
Masters strict rules on phones, behavior, more
While Masters patrons are forced to surrender their cell phones before entering the gates at Augusta, that policy is not only for fans. It also applies to honored guests like Calcavecchia, past champions like Rory McIlroy and even members.
Even outside of Masters week, members and guests are not allowed to use cellphones at the historic club.
The Masters’ most forbidden item is also its secret to world dominance
The rule creates a unique atmosphere every April at the Masters than can be found in increasingly few other places in the world today. AT&T does provide a phone bank for patrons to use on the course should they require them.
But the no-phone policy isn’t the only strict Masters rule patrons must follow. While at many other tournaments fans will sprint to secure their favorite viewing spots on the course, running is not allowed at the Masters.
And for those viewing locations. At the Masters, patrons will place fold-up Masters chairs at their preferred viewing location. You are not allowed to move a chair once it is place, but you are permitted to sit in it. That is until the owner returns. Then you have to give the spot back to them.
It’s not just phones that are prohibited at the Masters, cameras are, too, at least on certain days. While patrons may bring cameras to the practice rounds to snap photos, they are prohibited from tournament rounds.
