What is the Butler Cabin at Augusta?
What is the Butler Cabin and why is it such an integral part of the Masters each year? Allow us to fill you in
Augusta National is famous for its stunning golf course and its duty of hosting the Masters once a year in April.
The course is revered as one of the best on the planet, but the venue is a sum of many parts that make it such a special place.
From the Crow’s Nest to the clubhouse and Rae’s Creek, there are a number of landmarks at the Masters that add to the charm of the Georgia course.
Another one of these is the Butler Cabin at Augusta, a building on the grounds that shows the interview with the winner of the tournament.
But there is so much more to the Butler Cabin which is why we want to inform you of its details and history.
First of all, why is it called the Butler Cabin?
The Butler Cabin is named after Thomas Butler who was a club member of Augusta National and the chairman of Mercantile Bank and Trust.
He was a personal friend of former US President Dwight Eisenhower who was also a member at Magnolia Lane.
And where is the Butler Cabin at Augusta National Golf Club?
The Butler Cabin is located near the clubhouse and the par-3 course which was given a makeover ahead of the 2023 tournament.
It has a grass lawn with hedges and flowers typical of the natural beauty of Augusta National
Come on then – what is the Butler Cabin?
Built in 1964, the Butler Cabin is a house used for lodging by Augusta National from that year. If truth be told, it is a building rarely seen during the annual coverage of the event.
It has a couple of bedrooms, bathrooms, and a kitchen and is commonly used by members and guests. The price of staying in the Butler Cabin isn’t confirmed, but is rumoured to be more than $100, but less than $200.
It’s a largely unremarkable building. It is painted white and the roof features a chimney and two windows.
But you will know it best as the place where both the new and previous year’s Masters champions, as well as the low amateur, go following the conclusion of the final round to be interviewed by Jim Nantz and, before he called it quits on his broadcasting career, Nick Faldo.
It is here that the defending champion presents the Green Jacket to the new Masters winner for the first time before heading back out to the course to greet the crowd.
In 1965, Jack Nicklaus became the first winner of the Masters Tournament to do a post-round interview in Butler Cabin after he won his second Green Jacket. Nicklaus and Tiger Woods share the record for most Butler Cabin interviews with five apiece.
1965 was the first time CBS adopted the cabin as its broadcasting headquarters. The fireplace, with the portrait of Bobby Jones in the background, is a nice touch that fans can view during the interviews.
Any funny moments?
It’s a remarkably tense affair, with the winner almost certainly just soaking in what he has just achieved.
It can also be incredibly awkward, as Augusta National chairman Billy Payne found out in 2012 during the Green Jacket handover from Charl Schwartzel to newly-crowned champion Bubba Watson.
When the handshakes were being dished out, Watson – completely by accident, we should note – completely blanked Payne, who instead decided to cover his tracks with a classic nose scratch.
Come on then, let’s what the clip together…
We’ll never get tired of watching that clip.
Now have your say
What do you think are the most memorable Butler Cabin moments? Why not let us know by leaving a comment on X.
Matt Chivers
Now on the wrong side of 25, Matt has been playing golf since the age of 13 and was largely inspired to take up the game by countless family members who played golf during his childhood.
Matt is a member at Royal Cinque Ports in Deal playing off a 5 handicap, just a pitching wedge away from his hometown of Dover where he went to school and grew up. He has previously been a member at Etchinghill and Walmer and Kingsdown in Kent.
Having studied history at the University of Liverpool, Matt went on to pass his NCTJ Exams in Manchester a year later to fulfil his lifelong ambition of becoming a journalist. He picked up work experience along the way at places such as the Racing Post, the Independent, Sportsbeat and the Lancashire Evening Post.
Matt joined NCG in February 2023 and is the website’s main source of tour news, features and opinion. He has reported live from events such as The Open, the Ryder Cup and The Players Championship, having also interviewed and spent time with some of the biggest names in the sport.
Consuming tour golf on what is a 24/7 basis, you can come to Matt for informed views on the game and the latest updates on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour and LIV Golf.
What’s in Matt’s bag: Cobra LTDx LS driver, Cobra LTDx 3-wood, TaylorMade P7MC irons, Ping Glide 4.0 wedges, Odyssey putter.
