The Masters Travel Guide: Where to Stay, Eat & What to Do in Augusta (2027)
The Masters Tournament · Augusta
The Masters is the most iconic event in golf — held every April at Augusta National in Georgia, the only major that never changes venue, and home to the green jacket and the famous azaleas of Amen Corner. For 2027, Masters week runs April 5–11 (tournament rounds Thursday April 8 through Sunday April 11). Two things make it a genuine travel-planning challenge: the badges are "the toughest ticket in sports" (a public lottery, applied for nearly a year ahead), and Augusta is a small city that gets overwhelmed — accommodation is scarce and books out extraordinarily early. This guide covers where to stay, how entry works, and how to plan Masters week. Confirm dates and the ticket lottery on the official Masters site before booking.
Quick facts for your trip
- 2027 Masters week: April 5–11 (practice rounds and the Par 3 Contest early week; tournament rounds Thursday April 8 – Sunday April 11)
- Venue: Augusta National Golf Club, on Washington Road in Augusta, Georgia
- Entry: Badges are distributed almost entirely through an official public lottery (application window roughly the June before, ~10 months ahead) — Augusta National is the only authorized seller. Practice-round days are generally more accessible than tournament rounds.
- The real challenge is accommodation: Augusta is a small city, and Masters week overwhelms local lodging — hotels and the famous private "Masters housing" rentals book out a year or more ahead at steep prices
- Cameras are allowed on the course only during the practice rounds (Monday–Wednesday), not the tournament rounds
- Decorum matters: the Masters has strict patron etiquette (no phones on the course, dress standards)
Where to stay: book absurdly early, and consider the wider region
The defining logistical fact of the Masters is scarcity. Augusta has limited hotel supply for the demand, so the "where to stay" question is really about how early you book and how far out you're willing to base yourself.
Near Washington Road (closest to the course)
A small cluster of hotels sits about a mile west of the course on Washington Road — the closest options, and the first to sell out. If you can secure one, it minimizes the daily commute. Book a year ahead.
Downtown Augusta (about 5 miles east)
Staying in the main town — near the Marriott convention center, the historic Partridge Inn, and others — puts you a short drive from the course with more dining and things to do in the evenings. A popular, slightly-less-scarce base.
Private "Masters housing" rentals
A defining Augusta tradition: local residents rent out their homes for Masters week, often the most practical way to house a group near the course. These book far ahead and command premium prices, but for groups they're frequently the best option.
The wider region (Evans, Aiken SC, and beyond)
When Augusta itself is full or overpriced, nearby towns — Evans (GA) and Aiken (SC) — offer more availability at a commute. Many patrons base out here and drive in.
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A note on booking "where to stay": This is the single hardest accommodation to secure of any event in this series — Augusta is small, demand is enormous, and everything books a year or more ahead. The moment you have (or expect) badges, lock in lodging. Claira can help you compare stays across Augusta and the surrounding region by distance to the course, and pull Masters week into one plan.
Where to eat: Southern Augusta, before and after
During the week: Augusta's dining fills up during Masters week — reserve ahead. The city offers classic Southern cooking and a growing restaurant scene, especially downtown.
On the course: The Masters is famous for its concession prices — the pimento cheese sandwich and egg salad are institutions, and remarkably cheap by sports-event standards. Eating on the course is part of the tradition.
Beyond: Augusta's Southern hospitality extends to its barbecue and comfort food — a celebratory meal after a day at the course is part of the experience.
What to do: around the tournament
Masters week is long (a full seven days), so there's time beyond the golf:
- The practice rounds (Mon–Wed): More relaxed, cameras allowed, and generally easier to get into than tournament days — a great way to see the course.
- Downtown Augusta and the Riverwalk: The Savannah River Riverwalk and downtown's historic district make for pleasant non-golf hours.
- Regional golf: Many visitors pair the Masters with playing the region's own courses (arranged separately) — a golf trip built around the tournament.
Claira can structure your week around your badge days (practice vs. tournament rounds) and the rest of your Augusta time.
Getting around
Augusta is car-oriented; most patrons drive or use official/organized shuttles and parking. Traffic on Washington Road near the course is heavy during the tournament, so allow extra time, and consider the official parking and shuttle arrangements. If you're basing in the wider region, a rental car is essentially required.
Turn this into a plan
A guide points the way; Claira turns it into a booked, day-by-day trip. Tell it you're going to the Masters, and it'll help you compare stays across Augusta and the surrounding region, plan your week around your badge days, and pull the whole trip into one itinerary.
This guide is part of our series on the best events to travel for.
Details are based on recent editions of the Masters Tournament and are accurate as of publication. The ticket lottery and dates change yearly; confirm on the official Masters website before booking. Claira is an independent travel-planning tool and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or associated with the Masters Tournament, Augusta National Golf Club, or Augusta National, Inc. "The Masters" and related marks belong to their respective owners and are used here for descriptive purposes only.