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AUGUSTA, Ga. — As Rory McIlroy attempts to defend his 2025 Masters title and win a second Green Jacket in front of nearly 100,00 patrons on-site this weekend, not a single cell phone will be in sight.
No selfies or throngs of arms reaching up to capture a snapshot of history, now the norm at golf’s other three major championships and most other major sporting events.
Augusta National’s famously strict policy prohibits electronic devices. But it does have some exceptions.
“The use of any device for phone calls, emails, text messaging, or to record and/or transmit voice, video or data is strictly prohibited,” reads the tournament’s policy that forces Masters patrons to take in the action with their own eyes, not through a screen.
Many patrons leave their phones in their cars, but can also check them at the gate. There are free payphones on the course for patron use.
However, select individuals at the Masters are allowed to carry and use their cell phone on the course.
The list is tiny, and like most other things at Augusta National, not made public. It’s so tiny that Mark Calcavecchia, a 13-time winner on the PGA Tour and major champion (1989 Open Championship), was kicked out during Tuesday’s practice round for using his cell phone.
Top media personalities broadcasting the Masters are among the lucky few, like CBS announcer Jim Nantz or ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt. So are top golf executives, like PGA Tour’s Brian Rolapp and LIV Golf’s Scott O’Neil.
These VIPs have a small sticker on the back of their phones, sometimes a bright orange or green color. The stickers often also have a numerical identifier to avoid forgery.
Many essential tournament employees also receive on-course cell privileges.
Cell phone use for the approved contingent is intended to be discreet and only for business and working purposes—not selfies and Instagram.
No Exception for Kai Trump
Despite the leniency for some, there remain no exceptions for others.
While cell phones are not allowed at any point during the tournament, digital cameras are allowed during the three practice round days (Monday through Wednesday), just not during competition days (Thursday through Saturday).
That caused some confusing discourse online, given the extensive amount of content from Augusta National captured permissibly and posted on social media platforms by fans, influencers, and credentialed media members.
Kai Trump attended the Masters on Wednesday and posted several pictures for her 2.7 million Instagram followers. Unconfirmed rumors quickly spread that Trump had her cell phone out at the tournament and was facing a lifetime ban. There has been no indication from Trump or Augusta National that is the case.
Credentialed media members at the Masters are allowed to use their cell phone inside the press building, but are prohibited from taking them outside on the course. Some media have had their credentials revoked in past years for breaking that policy.
Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley during his Wednesday press conference referred to the “balance” and “tension” the club often faces “between respecting tradition and innovating, or in our nomenclature, continuous improvement.”
So, would the Masters ever lift its cell phone ban? Don’t put your money on it.
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