Taking my dad on Saturday. Any tips or tricks from those who have been would be much appreciated. Questions I have:
1. Staying about 30 min outside of Augusta, what time should we plan on arriving?
2. Is there lock boxes to buy for personal belonging or should I leave everything in my car?
3. Does the pro shop run out of apparel?
4. Who should we follow?
I bought brand new ISU hat and polo that I'll be repping in hopes of some screen time for the brand.
1. I think they say the gates open at 8am - be there at 6 or 6:30. Sometimes they open the gates early, but even if they don't, it's best to be at the front of the line.
2. Right next to the merchandise store is a check stand where you can store you purchases. I wouldn't bring personal belongings in unless you really need them. I brought a small back pack (had to be within the sizes allowed) and placed anything I might need in there - sunscreen, sunglasses, etc. - and carried that around with my bag chair. No phones or cameras allowed!
3. Might run out of the gnomes. Otherwise, you should be fine. If you are just looking for small stuff, like hats, shirts, balls, tee, ball markers, etc. you might want to skip the merchandise store and just go to the concession stands out on the course. However, the merchandise store is an experience unto itself, so I have a hard time telling a newbie to skip it.
4. I would follow the course. Seriously, pick 5-6 spots you would like to see of the course and just sit/stand there for a while watching the groups play. To me, the course was the real show and seeing the players was icing on the cake. Some of my favorites: 1st Tee, 6th Green, 12th Tee, 16th Green, 7th Green, and the 18th Tee.
Enjoy your day!