What Is The Masters Green Jacket?
The Masters Green Jacket is awarded every year to the winner of the Masters Tournament at the historic Augusta National Golf Club. The Green Jacket is one of the most coveted prizes in all of sports, and many of the biggest names in golf have proudly worn the Green Jacket. Read on to learn more about the Masters Green Jacket, including its history, design, and notable winners.
Masters Green Jacket History
The Green Jacket first debuted in 1937, and was worn by members of Augusta National Golf Club during the Masters to make themselves easily recognizable to patrons. It was not until 1949 that the winners of the Masters were awarded Green Jackets, with Sam Snead being awarded the Green Jacket for winning the 1949 Masters.
Since 1949, the Green Jacket has been awarded to each winner of the Masters. All living champions gather a few days before the Masters begins every year, all wearing their green jackets, to celebrate the previous year’s winner with a Champions Dinner. Also, after the tournament concludes, all living champions will join in the award ceremony to celebrate the tournament’s victor. The previous winner will perform the ceremonial awarding of the jacket, helping the new winner put the jacket on in a joyous celebration.
Masters Green Jacket Design
The Masters Green Jacket was originally designed by the Brooks Uniform Company for members to wear in 1937. However, the Green Jacket has been designed and produced by Hamilton Tailoring Co. in Cincinnati since 1967.
The Green Jacket presented at the Masters is three-button, single-breasted, and single-vent, featuring the Augusta National Golf Club logo on the left chest pocket. The logo patch is produced by A&B Emblem Co. in North Carolina. The owner’s name is stitched on the inside label of the Green Jacket.
The Green Jacket itself is made from tropical-weight wool, produced by the Forstmann Co. mill in Georgia. Each Green Jacket uses about 2.5 yards of wool. The brass buttons on the jacket are produced by the Waterbury Co. in Connecticut, and also feature the Augusta National Golf Club logo.
Masters Green Jacket Fun Facts
- The Green Jacket that is put on by the winner of the tournament at the award ceremony is actually a replica.
- Official Masters Green Jackets must stay on Augusta National Golf Club property after 12 months and must be returned before the following year’s tournament.
- Replica Green Jackets are given to winners to take home, but the authentic Green Jackets return and stay at Augusta after 12 months.
- The only player to ever take their official Green Jacket was Gary Player, who brought the Green Jacket home to South Africa.
- Players who have won multiple Masters only receive one Green Jacket.
Notable Green Jacket Winners
Below are some of the most notable golfers to win the Green Jacket at the Masters:
- Arnold Palmer
- Gary Player
- Jack Nicklaus
- Nick Faldo
- Phil Mickelson
- Sam Snead
- Tiger Woods
FAQ
What is the Green Jacket in the Masters?
The Green Jacket is given to the winner of the Masters Tournament in golf. It has been awarded to every winner since Sam Snead first won the tournament in 1949. Winners of the Masters prior to 1949 were also retroactively awarded Green Jackets. The Green Jacket is the most prestigious award in golf, and one of the most coveted in all of sports.
Who makes the Masters Green Jacket?
The Masters Green Jacket has been produced by Hamilton Tailoring Co. in Cincinnati since 1967. The original Green Jackets were first produced in 1937 by Brooks Uniform Company for members of Augusta National Golf Club. The tropical-weight wool used for the jacket is produced in Georgia by the Forstmann Co. The brass buttons are produced by the Waterbury Co. in Connecticut, and the logo patch is made by A&B Emblem Co. in North Carolina.
Do Masters winners get to keep the Green Jacket?
Masters winners are allowed to take the Green Jacket off Augusta National Golf Club property for 12 months following the tournament. However, they must return the jacket before the next edition of the tournament. Replica Green Jackets are made for Masters winners to keep for themselves.