Why do caddies wear white jumpsuits at the Masters?
Caddies don’t wear their usual attire when walking the grounds of Augusta National
There are many great traditions at Augusta National but why do caddies wear white jumpsuits at the Masters? We take a look at a convention that dates back to when the golf club first opened…
Why do caddies wear ‘boiler suits’ at The Masters?
What do caddies usually wear at tournaments?
At regular tournaments, there are no restrictions on what caddies wear but they usually don shorts and a polo shirt – accompanied by a bib which has their player’s name written on the back and the tournament sponsor on the front.
Billy Foster, Matthew Fitzpatrick‘s caddie, has been known to have some fun with his Sheffield United-supporting player. Foster is a fan of Yorkshire rivals Leeds United and is often seen wearing the club’s branded clothing at tournaments.
He can’t do that at Augusta as the club has a policy of caddies wearing green hats with the Augusta National logo on.
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Why do caddies wear white jumpsuits at the Masters?
The tradition of caddies wearing white jumpsuits at Augusta National dates back to when the course opened in 1933.
Augusta used to employ people from the local community and members insisted on providing them with a white suit to make them look smarter.
Golfers used to be provided with a caddie from Augusta, rather than being able to bring their usual partner. This changed in 1983 but club members still wanted the caddies to wear the suits to continue the tradition.
What are the numbers on the suits?
The name of the caddie’s player is still on the back of the but you will also notice that there is a green number on the white suits.
This is the registration number given to the player. Number one is saved for the defending champion.
Now have your say
What do you make of the Masters white jumpsuits at Augusta National? Should caddies have to wear these ‘boilers suits’ in a modern age, or is it a nice reminder of the traditions of the Masters? Why not let us know by leaving a comment on X.
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Steve Carroll
A journalist for 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long. A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A's prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.
Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men's Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.
A part of NCG's Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He currently floats at around 11.
Steve plays at Close House, in Newcastle, and York GC, where he is a member of the club's matches and competitions committee and referees the annual 36-hole scratch York Rose Bowl.
Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NTCJ exams at Darlington College of Technology.
What's in Steve's bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; TaylorMade Stealth 2 irons; TaylorMade Hi-Toe, Ping ChipR, Sik Putter.
