You did it! You were able to get what is considered to be the “toughest ticket in sports; the Augusta 2023 Masters. Now that you have gotten that coveted ticket, the next item on the list is to make sure you have a place to stay while you attend all of the festivities that go with the tournament. This trip may be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so you want to make sure your accommodations are the very best.
1. Choose Your Accommodations Carefully
In 1970, the unexpected growth of the Masters led to a lack of rental accommodations for spectators coming to see the tournament. As more people than expected flocked to the Masters, their need for housing overwhelmed the local hotel capacity. Thus began the tradition of homeowners who live in the Augusta National Golf Course leaving for vacation (the schools coordinate spring break with the week of the Masters) and renting their luxury homes to spectators each year.
According to people who have been spectators at the Masters, it is best to stay as close to the gates of the golf Augusta National Golf Course as possible. The traffic the week of the tournament is extremely congested.
Rental Homes
Renting a home at the golf course is the ideal accommodation. You may be able to rent a home within walking distance which would be the most ideal situation. This would provide you with avoiding the stress of traffic and being in close proximity so you don’t feel as if you need to pack everything you will need for the day.
Rental homes are all around the golf course and have as many rooms as you desire. It may be a good idea to rent one home with five or more bedrooms and share the space with your friends or colleagues. This will be easier to accommodate a large group as well as enjoy some time after hours together.
Many of the properties have pools and other amenities that make the homes a perfect place to enjoy while you are attending the Masters. Homeowners make a considerable amount of money during this week, so they go out of their way to make sure their homes are a top choice for people who are looking for housing during the important week.
Hotels
Unlike the 1970s lack of hotels in the area, Augusta National Golf Course has a large variety of hotels from which spectators may choose. Because of traffic, it is best to get one close by, so there is no need to leave extra early to get to the course. However, there is the option to stay a little further away and avoid the larger crowds that stay close to the tournament.
If you are expecting to stay close to the area, you will pay premium prices. There is] an abundance of hotels just an hour away from the golf tournament in Columbia, SC. There are also a large number of hotels in Atlanta but the traffic getting back and forth each day may add an undue amount of stress to an event you want to enjoy.
2. Know the Area
Before you make the choice of your accommodations, familiarize yourself with Augusta and the outlying areas. You may find you want to stay in a different area based on the attractions and restaurants you want to visit.
There are several golf courses around the area that you may want to play while you stay in Augusta. You can find luxury hotels close to your desired golf course and then drive to visit the tournament.
Regardless of your chosen accommodation, it is recommended that you map out your distance and the time it takes to arrive at the golf course so you can ensure you don’t miss a thing. You will also want to map out all of the restaurants and shopping located near your accommodation.
3. Plan for Traffic
No matter where you stay for the Masters unless you walk, you will have to deal with the traffic that comes with such a hugely attended event. Washington Road, the main road to Augusta National Golf Course, goes from 50,000 vehicles a day to over 80,000 vehicles a day during the week of the Masters.
There is a traffic plan that is created and released each year. It is recommended that you follow the signs for the tournament instead of your GPS. The experts at the tournament have been perfecting the traffic patterns for many years and if you follow your GPS instead of the signage, you may find yourself in a place you can’t get out of and end up missing part of the tournament.
When dealing with the traffic at the Masters, especially on Washington Road, you will need to bring your patience along on the trip. Plan your travel accordingly from your accommodations and expect an abundance of cars to be on the road. The promising part of the traffic is that generally, the friendly people who work and run the tournament are very good at keeping traffic moving at all times.
4. Plan Your Accommodations Based on Your Desired Experience
Because there is a wide array of choices when it comes to accommodation at the Masters, make your choice based on the type of experience you would like to have. You need to take into consideration your desired level of traffic, money spent, attractions, and other aspects of the trip that will inform you about the accommodations that best suit you.
For example, if you want luxury accommodations as well as easy access to the tournament, you need to choose a luxury home rental. If you want to play golf at one of the spectacular golf courses in the area, you may want to choose a hotel closer to the course you are playing to accommodate more available tee times.
Whatever accommodations you may choose for your stay in August, GA, you want to ensure that your stay supports your desired experience for this coveted event. Due to the difficulty in getting tickets for the Masters, make sure you have your accommodations planned out as if this is the one and only time you get to experience it.
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