The 2025 Masters has arrived, and golf fans are rejoicing. But if you’re new to watching pro golf, you can’t be blamed for needing help with some of the basics. One of the most important aspects of the Masters is the course on which it is played.
What course is Masters played on?
Unlike the other three major championships in men’s golf, the Masters is played every year at the same course: Augusta National Golf Club.
The other majors — the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open and the Open Championship — are played on different courses each year. However, each of those majors have a handful of golf courses they regularly return to.
What to know about Augusta National
Augusta National is located in Augusta, Ga., and it is one of the most famous and celebrated golf courses in the entire world. Originally designed by Alister MacKenzie and Bobby Jones, the course has hosted the Masters since the tournament began in 1934.
The course is best known for its strategically-designed holes, difficult, undulating greens and big elevation changes.
Augusta National is ranked No. 9 on GOLF’s Top 100 Courses in the World ranking, and it comes in at No. 6 in GOLF’s Top 100 Courses in the U.S. ranking.
How to play Augusta National
Unfortunately for the average reader out there, a round at Augusta National is virtually unattainable. The private club features a small, exclusive membership by invite only.
There are only a few ways you can play the course without being a member. First, you could become an elite golfer and qualify to play the Masters. Second, you could win the Masters, which makes you an honorary member and allows you to play in every Masters tournament for the rest of your life.
But there are a few slightly easier ways to play Augusta National. If you’re a young amateur, you could qualify for the annual Drive, Chip and Putt competition for juniors, or the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, which was founded in 2019. You can also be invited to play alongside an Augusta member, which is the way most non-members end up earning a tee time.
Or you could become a golf journalist and cover the Masters in person. Augusta National conducts a media lottery every year, and a small number of media members get to play the course the Monday after the Masters.
