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Ranking the top ten traditions in The Masters Tournament history

By Brandon Raper

AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 06: The clubhouse is seen during a practice round prior to the start of the 2015 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 6, 2015 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 06: The clubhouse is seen during a practice round prior to the start of the 2015 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 6, 2015 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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Sergio Garcia Masters Green Jacket
AUGUSTA, GA – APRIL 09: Danny Willett of England presents Sergio Garcia of Spain with the Green Jacket after Garcia won in a playoff during the final round of the 2017 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 9, 2017 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Of course, there’s no greater tradition at the Masters than the green jacket itself. You can basically say “green jacket” to someone who doesn’t even watch golf, and they’ll know that you’re talking about the iconic award given to the champion of the Masters Tournament each year.

Books have literally been written detailing the history of the green jacket, and I can’t do it that kind of justice here, so I won’t even try. Still, it’s important to know the specific rules and traditions around the prized blazer.

The jacket has always been a signature of the club’s members, required for all when they are on the club’s grounds. It didn’t officially become a prize for the Masters champion, however, until 1949, when Sam Snead won his first of three championships at Augusta.

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The jacket is the property of the champion for life, but the club’s rules state it must remain on club grounds in the champions’ locker room. The defending champion can keep it for a year – Sergio Garcia wore it at his wedding reception last year, as well as bringing it to Wimbledon – but after that, it’s Augusta only.

A handful have gotten out into the public, most notably one reportedly belonging to 1934 and 1936 champion Horton Smith. That one sold at an auction in 2013 for nearly $700,000.

Some of the traditions on this list may change slightly over the years, and new ones will most certainly begin. However, the one constant that we can be certain will last forever is the green jacket itself.

Sergio Garcia will be in Butler Cabin on Sunday afternoon for the iconic ceremony. Who will be wearing their jacket on Monday? We’ll find out very soon.

Next: Jim Nantz: The 2018 Masters is "the most anticipated in our lifetime"

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