Spectators are not allowed to have mobile phones on them during the Masters Golf tournament. You cannot even watch the practice round if you do not leave your phone behind. The phones are actually not needed at all as Chinese whispers are played at the Masters. I have never seen anything like that in any tournament.

It is interesting to watch this happen – the information is simply spread by whispers above the heads of the players. Whatever happens on the course, everyone knows within a few seconds. A quiet humming is spreading around – “Spieth, Spieth, he scored a birdie” – followed by a new whisper carrying important message soon afterwards.

I know the majority of tournaments from the position of a player, so this was quite a new experience. The Masters is particularly unique in the way people approach it. It offers a laid back atmosphere where no one is uptight. Everyone feels comfortable when approaching other people for small talk. You do not normally have a nice discussion with complete strangers but here – in Augusta – everyone is at ease and very friendly.

What does such a typical conversation look like? A classic introduction: “Hi, how are you? Where are you from? You’re not from here, are you?” Then a nice chat starts. After saying that I’m from South Africa, an immediate reaction follows: “Great country with a lot of excellent players.” Then, you listen to all the stories which took place at the Masters, such as the story of the incredible Tiger Woods’ greatest highlight shot ever at 16^th when he hit a chip shot 25 feet above the hole and watched it come right back down and drop in.

Enthusiasm radiates from local fans everywhere. Actually, they are not just mere enthusiasts. They are more like regulars. They return every year. I met a guy there who paid his fortieth visit to the Masters in a row! “I come every year and I have never been bored. I always have a whale of a time here. It is the best tournament in the world,” he said. At least according to what I have had the opportunity to see last year, he was damn right!