If there’s something that compares to that feeling of being a child and taking that first step into the Magic Kingdom, it is being an adult and walking into Augusta National during that legendary week in April. I dare to say, it may be even better. My first visit was at the final round in April 1995, where Ben Crenshaw won his second Master’s, and Tiger Woods played his first match as a professional. Walking through the gates past the clubhouse and over the hill at hole number one is a sight like none other.

I gasped when I first saw the sea of perfect green grass, surrounded by magnolias and tall longleaf pines, and punctuated with bursts of colorful azaleas. It was so much more stunning than television had ever captured. In the midst of all of this were the gentility. Yes, the patrons who were living it up at Hooters the night before were now freshly-pressed in their Lillys and Ralph Lauren –  and disarmingly reserved and polite.

Prior to the 1990s, I never dreamt I would ever attend once, let alone nearly every year for two decades. Getting a ticket is beyond difficult, but I was fortunate to have married into a badge-holding family. While much has changed over time (stronger security, a much larger entrance area, the retirement of Jack Nicklaus and death of Arnold Palmer), so much is the same. Whether you love golf or have no idea what a three-wood is, the experience is nearly sacred. For me, some of the most important things to know have very little to do with the game itself.

Do not eat before you arrive

You will pass by a Krispy Kreme on Washington Road just before you reach the parking areas, but you must avoid it. 1960s-style southern food at World War II prices is one of the great pleasures of the Master’s. Indeed, I was not prepared when I made my way through the line and to the cash register on my first day in 1995. I purchased a homemade pimiento cheese sandwich (in the green wrapper), a Snickers bar, and a draft beer (in the free plastic cup with master’s logo). The price was $2.75. This was 1995, and it has not increased significantly (about $6.50 today). Of course, the freshly-prepared pimiento cheese and egg salad sandwiches on white bread are rightful legends themselves. I have since learned to perfect a near-exact version of the southern cheese spread, and it has become my go-to for new neighbors, post-funeral festivities, camping happy hour, and other southern soirees. Also available are chicken sandwiches and a very delightful southern barbecue sandwich. If only we could eat here year round.

There’s an art to the lines

You can walk for hours at Augusta National and find various levels of comfort and solitude. Crowds congregate in the gift store, around the holes where top golfers are, and at the stands in some of the most scenic areas (Amen Corner, Hole 16). Sometimes, it can take 30 minutes or more to get through the checkout line in the gift store, and many of the most popular items (t-shirts) are sold out by the end of Thursday. But the most interesting line of all is that of the men’s restrooms. While the women breeze in and out, men’s restrooms lines are often 50 deep outside the door, particularly in the afternoons.

You’ll have TO break that cell phone addiction cold-turkey

A bonus for the day is that everyone has a mandated break from their electronics. Yes, indeed we must leave our cell phones, cameras, and other electronics in the car. Forget instagram photos – if you get caught taking a picture, GBI-types will escort you out and your badge (or the one you are using) will be cancelled for all eternity.  At Founders Circle near the clubhouse, there is a place where Augusta National employees will take a picture for you and give you a card to retrieve it online. There are free phones (similar to old-fashioned pay phones) available near the front and back gates.

Celebrities are everywhere

This is one giant character breakfast on steroids, but with zero hysteria. Of course, you’ll obviously be just a few feet from Tiger Woods on various occasions (but no autographs Thursday through Sunday). I’ve stood in line for a sandwich with Mrs. Mickelson, and everyone gracefully pretended that she was just another hungry/thirsty lady. In 2013, I waited at the crosswalk on hole 3 next to Lindsey Vonn, and she drew only a few very cool, under-the-radar glances and a photograph or two by a nearby credentialed news photographer. In the mid 1990s, I had a beer near hole 12 with the sister of a famous golfer. After randomly approaching me, she explained in great detail why she loathed the golfer’s wife, and thus her reason for choosing the company of a stranger instead of her sister-in-law. Her brother went on to place in the top five on the leaderboard that year. And then a couple of years ago, my teen son asked, “Mom, do you know who Condoleeza Rice is? She came and sat right behind us in the stands on Hole 15.”

There are a couple of approaches to watching (and being seen)

First of all, you’ll want to bring an armless folding chair along (or buy one in the gift store) and set it up in a favorite spot. On Sundays, the most popular spot is on Hole 18, as that is where the tournament will conclude assuming there is no tie and no weather delay. Once your chair is in its happy place, you can leave it there the entire day and walk around. Some people like to stay in one place most of the day and watch as each golfer comes through. Others like to follow a golfer through all 18 holes (Tiger Woods has a particularly large following). Others, like me, do a mixture – walking around most of the course, but also sitting in bleachers for periods of 30-90 minutes. My favorite bleachers are at Hole 16, and I was at that spot in 1996 when Greg Norman’s ball hit the water as part of the biggest choke in sports history.

Treat yourself to souvenirs

Just like a store at Disney World, one can easily spend $1000 in about 15 minutes at either of the Master’s souvenir stores. Popular items are chairs, keychains, visors, polos, umbrellas, and t-shirts (all with Master’s logos). But there are also marble cheese trays, towels, teddy bears, dog collars, and various household items. One of my favorite reasonably-priced items in the last few years have been the smaller canvas tote bags, typically in pink and green. Also, any time that you purchase a coke, a beer or a wine, the souvenir cup is yours to keep. We have dozens, and they are perfect for an RV.

say no to drinking games

While many walk around sporting their green cups of beer, inebriation just doesn’t go with the Master’s. Considering that most of the men are dressed like they are headed to an Ole Miss darty, it’s rather amazing that a visibly-soused person is a rare as a weed in the grass at Augusta National.  Nevertheless, Golf Digest has published its 2019 edition of the Master’s Drinking Game, and it is intoxicatingly funny.

For Your Master’s Party: Georgia Peach Guacamole