Plenty of intrigue surrounds the membership at the host club of the Masters. Who are these mysterious green jackets? How did they join? And how much does a membership cost at Augusta National?
Augusta National membership cost
The Augusta National membership costs are relatively low for a club of its stature. The initiation fee is estimated to be in the range of $40,000. And the yearly dues are estimated at “a few thousand” dollars per year. There are other costs involved, whether for guest fees or on-site lodging, but those are also relatively low.
An original membership stake in Augusta cost $350, which is still less than $5,000 in today’s dollars.
How can you become an Augusta National member?
There’s no application process. If you ask, your chances of every being considered reportedly plummet. And if you do get through initial screening stages, you’ll be exhaustively vetted before it’s determined you are member material.
The club’s season runs from October through May, with an obvious break in play for the Masters. Members can bring several guests at a time, but guests won’t be allowed onto the property until their member has already arrived.
On the last day in May before the course is closed, Augusta National’s caddies get to play all day for free.
In addition to the Masters and the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, there are four main members-only events throughout the course of the year: The Opening Party in October, the Governors Party in November, the Jamboree in late March and the Closing Party in May. Each are reserved for members only and draw a sizable percentage of the club’s 300 members.
Famous Augusta National members
Depends on your definition of fame, I suppose. Included in the membership are Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and billionaire Warren Buffett. There are CEOs abound, too, from companies like IBM, Bank of America, MillerCoors, American Express, General Electric and plenty more. Former Georgia senator Samuel Nunn is among the politicians who belongs.
And there’s a contingent from the larger sports world, too, including NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, Hall of Famer Lynn Swann, former college football coach Lou Holtz and former USC athletic director Pat Haden. The membership is growing and changing, of course — but not quickly.
It was not until 2012 that Augusta National announced for the first time that it would be admitting women to its membership. Now, four women are reportedly members. Condoleezza Rice and Darla Moore became the first two women admitted. In 2014, a third female member, IBM CEO Ginni Rometty, joined the group. And in 2018 former USGA president Diana Murphy was spotted wearing a green jacket on site.
To receive GOLF’s all-new newsletters, subscribe for free here.
