The Masters at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia is probably one of the best golf professional golf tournaments offered all year.
Of course, there are events like the US Open and British Open that have similar history and interest from players, but nothing quite matches The Masters.
The funny thing about The Masters is that it is not located near a major city or airport.
In fact, it is pretty far from any major city, which can create a bit of a dilemma when it comes to golf professionals and where they stay when they are in town.
If you have ever wondered where golfers stay during The Masters, we have the inside scoop.
Where Do Golfers Stay During The Masters?
Professional golfers typically rent houses to stay in during The Masters.
However, other options for housing include hotels, an RV, or the Crow’s Nest at the club.
The housing issue at The Masters has continually been a problem, and there is just not much that can be done about it.
Augusta is not a busy town during the year, but when The Masters Tournament comes to town, everything changes.
All local businesses are completely overrun, and anywhere that is great to stay is likely booked.
Here are a few of the options that professional golfers playing The Masters have when it comes to housing.
1. Crow’s Nest
The Crow’s Nest is a room at the clubhouse of Augusta National.
This special residence can be used for an Amateur competing in The Masters Tournament.
Since there are only a few cottages at Augusta National, they are typically rented out by members, family, and friends.
For The Masters Tournament, it wouldn’t be fair to give these to professionals as only a few would be able to use them.
This is why the cottages are offered to the amateur players, as there are typically only a few of them participating in any given Masters tournament.
The chance to stay at the Crow’s Nest is not about the most high-end accommodations or pristine service.
Instead, this is a chance for amateur players to realize where they are staying and how they are about to become a huge part of golf history.
The walls in the Crow’s Nest are covered in historical memorabilia that has been collected through the years at The Masters Tournament.
Most professionals who have the financial means would choose to stay somewhere other than the Crow’s Nest, but for the young players, this is a tremendous place to take in all that The Masters is about.
2. Hotels
There are some local hotels at The Masters that professionals can stay in.
These hotels must be booked in advance as there are not many of them, and they aren’t necessarily resort-style hotels.
For some younger players, not amateurs, who have made it into their first Masters and are still on a budget, the hotels are a great choice.
Remember that professionals sometimes don’t find out they are going to The Masters until just before the event.
Patrons who are looking to attend The Masters Tournament may end up booking a large number of hotel rooms months in advance.
The hotel is likely the most economical option for golfers during The Masters, but it is not always easy to find a room.
3. House Rentals
House rentals are the most popular option for golfers looking for a place to stay during The Masters.
The area surrounding Augusta National has some great houses, and some people who own them have been renting them out for years.
Many people will leave their house for the week and allow a professional golfer and even his family to stay in the home.
For some, the price is thousands of dollars for the week, and this makes it well worth it to leave town for a few days.
Professional golfers often like to get house rentals because their families can come with them.
In addition, there is a place for some of the professional staff to stay.
Caddies also need to find accommodations as well as swing coaches.
The area surrounding Augusta National turns into a hot spot for vacation rentals each year during Masters week.
Professionals need to jump on this quickly as families and groups that are traveling to The Masters from out of town will also look for a place to stay, and these rentals are often the best choice.
When some professionals are out at the course practicing and preparing for the tournament, the rental house gives their families a low-key place to relax and stay out of the limelight.
Augusta, GA, is a relatively small town, and it can quickly become problematic for well-known professionals to be walking around downtown or out at the local stores or restaurants.
4. Shared House Rentals
Sometimes because of availability or just for fun, two or three professionals will share a house.
Some of the guys on the PGA Tour are good friends, and they have no trouble renting a large house with each other.
The house rentals for The Masters often come with a chef to make the food for the professionals and help ensure that they don’t need to worry about anything during the week of The Masters.
Some professional golfers like Scottie Scheffler are a bit low-key, but others prefer more of a first-class experience, and they don’t want to do any housekeeping or cooking.
Shared house rentals can also be an option for the younger professionals who may not have the financial means that some seasoned veterans have.
Overall, house rentals for The Masters are the most popular way to find housing for The Masters, whether it is shared or a single professional gets a house on their own.
5. RV
An RV is like a home on wheels for some golf professionals.
Players like John Daly, Jason Day, and Mark Calcavecchia have all purchased Recreational Vehicles to help them travel around the country in style and with ease.
There is something nice about sleeping in your own bed the night before a tournament, and an RV is a great way to make this happen.
RVs will help to make it easier to find food, have all the necessary gear, and give the family a place to hang out while professionals are out on the golf course.
These RVs are a large investment, but many professionals find that the RV will pay for itself after just a few years of being on the road.
Many players will drive their own RVs, but some also have drivers who can take them from one location to another.
The RV is a good option for a family with young kids that needs a home base to report to.
Several locations around the Augusta National Golf Club will allow for RV parking and ensure that the professionals have a good place to camp out for the week.
As much as the Masters tries to stay as pristine and classy as possible, there are still areas that house vehicles, tents, volunteers, and more.
When you walk up Magnolia Lane, you may see only trees and perfectly green grass, but there are quite a few moving parts at The Masters Tournament.
Where Do PGA Tour Players Stay During Tournaments?
Wondering where golfers stay during The Masters Tournament naturally leads to what PGA Tour players do at any tournament.
Sometimes there is an event being held at a resort, and that makes it easy for professionals to find a room.
However, for the most part, there are house rentals and hotel rooms available for these guys from week to week.
Players love when a tournament comes to their hometown in Arizona, California, or Florida.
This could mean a commute to work that takes minutes instead of hours or days.
Travel time and travel costs can be quite high for professional golfers.
There are no weeks off between tournaments as far as the PGA Tour schedule is concerned.
You will see many players take a week or two off between events, and this is because the traveling and the grind can become a bit taxing.
The vacation rental scene has made it considerably easier for professional golfers to find places to stay.
Many players are on strict schedules as they are professional athletes that need to consider exercise and nutrition.
Staying in a home can make this incredibly easier than staying in a hotel.
Caddies sometimes stay with their players, and other times they will stay in their own hotel or vacation rental.
It’s important to consider the difference between a golfer who was a Monday Qualifier and one who has played on Tour and won major championships.
The way the major winner and seasoned PGA Tour veteran chooses to travel and stay at an event is considerably different from the golfer who is new to all of this.
How Much Do Houses Rent For At The Masters?
During The Masters Tournament, golfers typically want to stay as close to Augusta National as possible.
The houses that are nice and close to the facility will often have the highest rental rates simply because of the convenience they offer.
However, a wide range of things will impact the total price of a house rental for The Masters.
For the most part, a three-bedroom/three-bath home would rent for close to $5,000.
There are local rental agencies that will allow you to list your home for rent for The Masters.
These agencies claim that you will get about $1,000 for a bedroom and $1,500 for a bedroom-bath combo.
For some homes with a unique backyard, a beautiful view, or some other special feature, there are adjustments to the price.
Homeowners in the area like to take advantage of having so many people around willing to rent, but there is quite a bit of competition.
There can be a fine line between choosing a fair price and getting the home rented.
Keep in mind that there are likely fees that need to be paid to the rental agency, and the homeowner doesn’t always collect the full amount.
For homeowners who have lived in Augusta their entire lives and have strong connections to Augusta National, there could be deals worked out about which professionals stay where.
If you think that Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and the greats like Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus didn’t have their favorite spots in the Augusta area, think again!
Professional golfers figure out how this works relatively quickly, and they work on scheduling well ahead of time.
The Master’s field is a bit smaller, which can help with the housing dilemma in Augusta, but it doesn’t solve it entirely.
Where Do Spectators Stay When Going to The Masters?
If you think the professional golfers take all the good houses, you are probably right.
However, if you can secure some tickets to The Masters Tournament, there are some great hotels within about a half-hour from the club.
In addition, if you are willing to drive just a little further to get to the event each day, chances are you will find a more affordable spot with plenty to offer.
You may find that securing tickets to The Masters becomes a bigger problem than finding a place to stay.
Conclusion
The Masters Tournament is a unique and special event in the world of golf.
If you find a person who loves the game of golf, chances are they could talk for hours about The Masters and all that it means to the sport.
The town of Augusta, GA, is very accommodating for professionals, and they make sure that there are some great homes for players to use.
People in this area take great pride in having professionals stay at their homes, and they gladly leave for a week to offer that opportunity.
The only thing better than having a PGA Professional stay in your home for The Masters is having The Masters Champion stay in your home.
What a story that will be to tell the grandkids!
NEXT: Why Is Chinese Food So Expensive? (Top 7 Reasons)