Do Masters Winners get to keep their Green Jacket?

By Indra Gunawan March 13, 2024 03:06

Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

The Green Jacket is an iconic symbol of achievement in the world of golf, particularly at the Masters Tournament. The tradition of awarding a Green Jacket to the winner of the Masters has been a long-standing tradition, but the question often arises: do Masters winners get to keep their Green Jacket?

History of the Green Jacket

The tradition of the Green Jacket dates back to 1937 when members of Augusta National Golf Club began wearing green jackets during the tournament so that they could be easily identified by patrons. In 1949, the club decided to award a Green Jacket to the winner of the tournament as a way of recognizing their achievement and providing them with a visible symbol of their success.

The Green Jacket and the Masters Winner

When a golfer wins the Masters Tournament, they are presented with a Green Jacket in a ceremony following the final round. The Green Jacket is then placed on the winner by the previous year's champion. This tradition adds a layer of prestige and honor to the act of winning the tournament.

Ownership of the Green Jacket

While the Green Jacket is certainly a coveted symbol of success, the ownership of the jacket comes with certain restrictions. The winner is allowed to keep the Green Jacket for the year following their victory, after which it must be returned to the clubhouse at Augusta National Golf Club. The jacket is then stored on the grounds and is available for the champion to wear whenever they visit the club.

Restrictions on the Green Jacket

There are specific rules and guidelines regarding the Green Jacket that winners must adhere to. For instance, while the champion is allowed to take the jacket home for the year following their victory, they are not permitted to alter the jacket in any way. This includes not being able to have it tailored to fit them better. The tradition dictates that the Green Jacket should remain as it was originally presented to the winner.

Legacy of the Green Jacket

The Green Jacket is a symbol of membership and belonging to the exclusive club of Masters champions. The prestige and honor associated with wearing the Green Jacket are deeply ingrained in the traditions of the Masters Tournament, and it serves as a powerful symbol of the golfer's achievement and their place in the history of the sport.

While the Green Jacket is a revered symbol of victory at the Masters Tournament, the ownership of the jacket comes with certain restrictions. The tradition of the Green Jacket adds a layer of prestige and honor to the act of winning the tournament, and its legacy continues to be an integral part of the rich history and tradition of the Masters.