Augusta National’s controversial phone ban creates ‘pure golf’
The hallowed grounds of the US Masters are sacred and home to some of the strictest rules in the sporting world — but one long considered among the most controversial has been credited for creating ‘pure golf’.
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Is a mobile phone ban the secret to watching sport?
The green jacketed men of Augusta National certainly think so.
Mobile phones are strictly prohibited on the hallowed grounds of the US Masters, and the patrons and players love it.
“It’s nice, isn’t it,” superstar Tiger Woods said when asked if the Masters might be the biggest collection of people on the planet without a mobile phone.
“This event is so different and so unique. It’s pure golf.”
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World No.3 Rory McIlroy said the cell phone ban was “wonderful” and refreshing” and a reminder that people don’t have to “constantly have their face in their device”.
“I mean, playing a practice round yesterday, I said to Harry (his caddie) out there, ‘How good is it that people aren’t looking at their phones?’
“There’s something to be said for that, and I think people can learn from that.
“It’s cool to see that Augusta has upheld that tradition. It’s a great thing.”
Last year’s Masters winner Patrick Reed said Augusta’s old-fashioned rules allowed fans to “actually watch golf”.
“Not sit there and try to take photos or video people as they are hitting golf shots; so they actually get to experience it.”
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Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley said the ban was here to stay.
“That’s something that does us apart. I think our patrons appreciate our cell phone policy (but) I know that we have now become an outlier,” Ridley said.
“It’s part of the ambience of the Masters. I don’t believe that’s a policy anyone should expect is going to change in the near future, if ever.”
Electronic scoreboards and giant TV screens are also absent at Augusta.
“Having the old scoreboards, to me, it’s just amazing to come back and see it,” Reed said.
“To put basically normal life right now, which is always in the fast lane, aside and just slow everything down and get to enjoy the week is something I love about this place.”
American star Brooks Koepka said the mobile phone ban, which extends to players and officials, was a reminder for everyone to live in the moment.
“I mean, no cell phones, I always like no cell phones — you don’t have to deal with text messages, nothing. It’s nice to put it away for a bit,” he said.
Originally published as Augusta National’s controversial phone ban creates ‘pure golf’