The Masters’ Iconic Green Jacket Is More Mysterious Than You Think

Masters weekend is officially underway at Augusta National Golf Club, and while much of the lucky spectator buzz this year centers on the fate of one of the tournament’s strangest traditions — a limited-edition garden gnome that may be on its way out — the sights of the players remain laser-focused on one iconic garment.

Since 1949, when Sam Snead became the first champion to receive it (with the previous winners retroactively awarded one), the “Green Jacket” has stood as golf’s ultimate symbol, and arguably the most recognizable trophy in all of sports.

And yet, for something so iconic, much of its history and background may surprise all but the most die-hard golf historians.

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Who makes the jacket?

Getty Images: Rob Carr / Staff

Even after 76 years of awarding jackets, no one outside Augusta National’s senior leadership knows the full story of the blazer’s manufacturing history, specs, or costs.

But plenty of golf historians and persistent reporters have pieced together some key details over the decades.

According to PGA.com, since 1967, the green jacket has been produced exclusively by Hamilton Tailoring Company in Cincinnati, Ohio – a fact that Augusta National has historically been reluctant to confirm on the record.

The same company is also reportedly responsible for another iconic piece of golf attire, too, the replicas of Arnold Palmer’s red cardigan, awarded to every winner of the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill since 2017.

Augusta’s website apparently once acknowledged the relationship, but, as many plucky journalists have tried over the years, good luck getting anyone at Hamilton or Augusta to elaborate on it these days.

Credit Getty Images: Orlando Ramirez / Stringer

The jackets are cut from tropical-weight wool in a trademarked shade designed to match the brilliant green of Augusta’s famed rye-grass fairways, known as Masters Green or, more formally, Pantone 342.

The logo-stamped brass buttons come from Waterbury Button Co. in Connecticut, and the breast-pocket patch is stitched by A&B Emblem Co. in North Carolina.

PGA.com also states that it takes roughly a month to produce a single jacket from start to finish, using about two and a half yards of fabric per blazer.

Pantone

Before Hamilton entered the picture, the original jackets were purchased from Brooks Uniform Company in New York back in 1937, three years after the club opened.

Members reportedly found those early versions too thick and uncomfortable for the Georgia heat, prompting the switch.

Getty Images: Andrew Redington / Staff

The exact production cost of each jacket is also a mystery.

According to The Sporting News and other sources, each jacket costs about $250 to make, though Augusta has never publicly confirmed a figure.

For a garment that represents the pinnacle of professional golf and comes with a cash prize for the winner that’s north of $21,000,000, that’s a remarkably modest price tag if accurate.

Who can wear it?

Getting Images: Andrew Redington / Staff

Only two groups of people are permitted to wear one: Augusta National Golf Club members and Masters Tournament champions.

Club members must keep their jackets on the premises at all times.

Champions get a slightly longer leash. They first receive a temporary jacket in the winner’s general size range to don immediately after completing the tournament. A custom-made-to-measure version is then delivered later.

The reigning champion can take the jacket beyond Augusta National for one year—after that, it must be returned to the clubhouse, where it stays in the champion’s locker from then on to be worn only on Augusta’s grounds.

And before you imagine how packed Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson’s lockers are, repeat winners don’t get new jackets—they simply keep wearing the original, unless a need for a refit ultimately calls for a replacement.

The green jacket’s red tape

Getty Images: Jeff Zelevansky / Stringer

Even during the year of custody that winners are allowed to take the jacket beyond Augusta’s boundaries, the rules for wearing it in public are exacting.

As 2023 Masters winner Jon Rahm and other champions have shared, there are legal documents to sign and strict dress codes to follow.

Defending champion Rory McIlroy recently detailed some of the specifics on the Stick to Football podcast: you must wear a certain shirt, a club tie, specific trousers and dress shoes – sneakers are a non-starter.

To many spirit and beer marketers’ chagrin, winners also can’t be photographed holding alcohol while wearing the jacket.

They aren’t even allowed to make public appearances in it without Augusta National’s prior approval.

And that level of control extends to replicas as well.

Today Show host Carson Daly revealed that Augusta National contacted him after he wore an Amazon dupe of the green jacket on air, essentially telling him to knock it off.

He obliged, though he admitted the fake jacket still comes out on Masters Sundays at home.

The only notable rule-breaker in green jacket history? Gary Player, who took his home to South Africa in 1961 and failed to return it the following year, claiming that he was unaware of the rules.

But according to some sources and now golf legend, when Augusta co-founder Clifford Roberts called Player about the matter, he famously refused to return it.

Who will win the next one?

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Over its nearly nine-decade history, the Masters has crowned 56 champions across 88 victories – 18 golfers have won it more than once.

Jack Nicklaus holds the record with six green jackets, followed by Tiger Woods with five. Only three players have ever won back-to-back titles: Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Woods.

The tradition of the previous year’s winner helping the new champion into the jacket has produced some awkward logistics, too – when Nicklaus won consecutive titles in 1965 and 1966, he had to put the jacket on himself. Now, the issue has been addressed by the chairman of August National doing the honors.

This week, all eyes turn to Augusta once more, with McIlroy defending and the field looking to dethrone him.

Whether the next championship goes to a familiar name or a first-timer, one thing is certain: whoever claims it will inherit the most iconic trophies on earth – and all the prestige and red tape that comes with it.

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