I Went to the Masters, and It Was an Unexpected Blast. What I Did There — and What I Won't Do Again
I Went to the Masters, and It Was an Unexpected Blast. What I Did There — and What I Won't Do Again
Gillian TellingWed, April 15, 2026 at 8:05 PM UTC
0
Credit: courtesy of Gillian Telling (2) -
A PEOPLE reporter opens up about what it was really like to go to the Masters golf tournament
She said the patrons were some of the friendliest people she's ever come across, and she also had no idea how fun the parties would be
She says she would rethink her outfit next time, and consider buying a Masters chair
What It Is: An annual ultra-exclusive, highly regulated golf tournament played at Augusta National in Georgia each year. This year, Uber Golf, a newly launched option that reserves Ubers up to 90 days in advance (that can fit up to four players and four golf bags), invited three reporters to experience the tournament in partnership with Topgolf, which is collaborating with Uber on discount tickets to their driving ranges across the country.
Who Tried It: Gillian Telling, PEOPLE's Senior Reporter and Writer
First Impressions: When I was offered the opportunity to attend the Masters, the first thing I did was call my parents, because, well, the best way to describe them is Mr. & Mrs. Golf — sort of like the Mets mascots, but with golf ball heads. They are absolute fanatics for the game. They've both been the president of their country club in Florida (my mom was the club's first and only female president), the décor in their home is golf prints and trophies and decanters and various things they've won over the years, and my dad has had 10 hole-in-ones across 7 countries. My mom, nearly 80, still plays four times a week. My sisters and I grew up with golf as our looming older brother, or maybe our khaki-clad, cigar-smoking uncle, but needless to say, I know a lot about the game and its famous players, despite never really playing it all that much myself. (A little form of rebellion, I suppose, although I can hit a ball decently at least 200 yards — see below.)
Enjoying an evening a Topgolf the night before the tournamentCredit: courtesy of Gillian Telling
“You'd be a fool not to go!” was their consensus. They've both been once before, but they explained that tickets are so hard to come by since they're often handed down through families, or they can be bought through a lottery system if you have a lot of luck and a lot more money, neither of which I tend to often have. So I said "yes."
The Experience: Prior to my visit, I was given a packing list and a general sense of the rules from the PR team at Uber. I'm familiar with the etiquette of the game and already knew there would be a dress code of sorts, so I left the crop tops and hot pants at home and brought my sportiest and most demure crisp white golf shirt from my parents' club and matching white pants.
But the night before the tournament, my new friend from Topgolf PR told me most of the young female “patrons” wear cute dresses with sneakers, and there's a lot of thought that goes into their Masters 'fits.
So, despite not being young, per se, I decided to switch it out for the only dress I brought, which I'd pair with a green blazer. (You're not the only one with a fresh green jacket, Rory McIlroy!) Only once I got there did I slightly regret the move — the dress was red with white polka dots, while most people were in shades of white and green or pastels. I thought I was going for a Julia Roberts at the Polo Club in Pretty Woman kind of vibe, but I immediately wished it were another color.
My red dress with polka dots, paired with a green blazerCredit: courtesy of Gillian Telling
When we arrived at Augusta National at 7 a.m., it was still chilly but gearing up to be a gorgeous day. The birds were already chirping, the grass smelled as sweet as hay, and it had that quiet, peaceful morning air about it in the way that golf courses do.
Walking with the crowds to the Masters entranceCredit: courtesy of Gillian Telling
We were given our badges, which also gave us access to the Map & Flag hospitality tent, an exclusive clubhouse just across the street from the course with its own golf shop, and plenty of amazing complimentary food and drink.
Before we got to the grounds, everyone had to check in their phone and electronics. (Phones and recording equipment are strictly forbidden at the Masters.)
Just before checking my phone away for the day.Credit: courtesy of Gillian Telling
I took a credit card and a lip gloss in my pocket, and that was it. It was honestly refreshing not to have anything on me, especially my phone. And it was definitely refreshing not to see everyone with their heads bent down or taking pictures of every little thing along the way. (The only time it was a slight issue was when I got separated from my party of four after we all went our separate ways at the Golf Shop and I wasn't sure how to find them again.)
The evening before the tournament, enjoying a little TopgolfCredit: courtesy of Gillian Telling
The Golf Shop deserves a little breakout attention. We were told to line up for the shop first thing, because otherwise they'd sell out of the gnomes, a hot ticket item at the Masters for a decade. The gnomes are ceramic garden gnomes dressed in a different Masters outfit each year, and they retail for between $30 and $60, but can resell for up to 20 times that to collectors. They also signify that you were actually in attendance, since they can only be bought at the Masters, making them a status symbol as well.
Advertisement
The same is true of all the Masters branded gear. The line to get into the shop was 70 minutes and I learned that the Masters sells something like $1 million in merch per hour, or about $70 million total for the week. I believe it. People were loaded up at the checkout, and many of them had long lists of things to buy for friends who weren't lucky enough to go.
Even though I don't love a long line, it ended up being so fun waiting to get in because we talked to all the people around us, and soon we were acting like old friends. It's truly incredible how quickly real-life connections are formed when you don't have a phone in your hands. (I even got some story ideas out of it!)
After the shop visit, it was time for food. (Did you actually watch any golf, I hear you wondering?) Of course! But first, concessions!
We went in for the famous pimento cheese spread on white bread, which has long been a staple of the Masters and still sells for $1.50. I also grabbed a tomato pie (the flakiest pastry filled with a tomato and cheese sauce, sort of like an empanada), an egg salad sandwich, a peach ice cream cookie sandwich, peanuts, a lemonade, and a beer, the latter of which came in Masters-branded white plastic cups.
Someone later told me that these were also precious commodities and that people go dumpster diving for the cups at the end of the tournament. (No liquor is sold on the course, just beer and soda, and nothing is branded. It's light beer, imported beer, cola, lemon-lime.)
I brought my egg salad sandwich to the beach the next day. It held up, and was delicious.Credit: courtesy of Gillian Telling
After eating, we wandered from hole to hole, watching the golf and players and making more quiet small talk with other patrons when there weren't people playing through. Everyone was also very respectful of the noise levels and their reactions to the shots. There were light cheers and groans, but it's verboten to boo or jeer. You also can't sit on the course, which is why people bring or buy Masters branded camp chairs for when they need to take a break.
Even though I interview celebrities for a living, seeing the famous golfers up close like that was still a thrill.
We eventually had to leave the tournament in the afternoon to attend a few other events — what I didn't know was how many fun parties would be happening in Augusta over the long weekend. I assumed our day would just be watching golf and then going to dinner, but we also went to the Malbon golf house, a People's League event, and a Wheels Up event all before dinnertime, bouncing around, soaking in the social aspect of the Masters and meeting tons of people. (And tasting a few "Azaleas," the tournament's signature cocktail made of vodka, lemonade, and grenadine.)
With my new friends and fellow reporters at the Wheel's Up eventCredit: courtesy of Gillian Telling
By 9 p.m., after a long day of being in the sun and on our feet, it was time to go back to the hotel and crash, but we all agreed it had been an incredibly magical time. In fact, someone told me it's called "Masters Magic," because of the easy conversations and connections that happen there.
And if I'm lucky enough to get invited back, I'd jump at the chance. The only thing I'd do differently is probably not wear red. I'd also buy a green camp chair, and perhaps spend less time in the Golf Shop line. Although I'm now the proud owner of an irreplaceable Master's 2026 mini-gnome, so that was probably worth it.
Uber Golf is a seasonal ride-sharing experience that just launched this spring. Topgolf is a sporting complex and driving range that features food and cocktails, live events, music and more.
on People
Source: “AOL Sports”
