What Is The Masters Theme Song?

We all recognise the famous music, but what is the story around the song? Find out here

Augusta National logo on the Green Jacket
(Image credit: Getty Images)

The Masters (opens in new tab) is probably the most famous golf tournament in the world. The history, the mystique, the Green Jacket (opens in new tab), the golf course, absolutely everything around the event is different to how every other tournament in the golfing calendar works. In short, the event is just a big deal.

An interesting fact is that the tournament has it's own song and own piece of music which you would have most likely heard right at the start of television broadcasts, during advert breaks or when the leaderboard comes up on the screen. But what is it? Who wrote it? When did it start?

Well, the music came about after Dave Loggins, the cousin of American singer-songwriter, Kenny Loggins, visited Augusta National Golf Club (opens in new tab) at the start of the 1980's.

He was so inspired by the place that he did some research and wrote a song called 'Augusta,' which CBS picked up and debuted in the same decade. Loggins said the lyrics came to him on the 14th hole, which we have included below.

Loggins has also changed the song over time to include lines about Tiger Woods (opens in new tab) and Phil Mickelson (opens in new tab), two perennial Masters champions. On television broadcasts we usually here the version with no lyrics though.

Augusta National 14th

Marc Leishman, Cameron Smith and Adam Scott walk the 14th hole at Augusta National

(Image credit: Getty Images)

'Augusta' lyrics  (original)

Well, it's springtime in the valley on Magnolia Lane 

It's the Augusta National and the Master of the game

Who'll wear that green coat On Sunday afternoon?

Who'll walk that eighteenth fairway Singin' this tune?

Augusta, your dogwoods and pines 

They play on my mind like a song 

Augusta, it's you that I love 

And it's you that I miss when I'm gone.

Well, it's Watson and Byron Nelson And Demaret, and Player, and Snead

It's Amen's Corner and it's Hogan's perfect swing 

It's Sarazen's double eagle at the fifteenth In Thirty-Five

And the spirit of Clifford Roberts that keeps it alive

Augusta, your dogwoods and pines 

They play on my mind like a song 

Augusta, it's you that I love

And it's you that I miss when I'm gone

It's the legions of Arnie's Army and the Golden Bear's throngs and the wooden-shafted legend of Bobby Jones.

Sam Tremlett
Senior Staff Writer

A golfer for most of his life, Sam is a Senior Staff Writer for Golf Monthly. 

Working with golf gear and equipment over the last five years, Sam has quickly built outstanding knowledge and expertise on golf products ranging from drivers, to balls, to shoes. 

He also loves to test golf apparel especially if it a piece that can be used just about anywhere!

As a result he has always been the one family and friends come to for buying advice and tips.

He is a graduate of Swansea University where he studied History and American Studies, and he has been a part of the Golf Monthly team since December 2017. He also previously worked for World Soccer and Rugby World magazines.

Sam now spends most of his time testing and looking after golf gear content for the website. He also oversees all Tour player content as well. 

Unfortunately, Sam is not a member of any club at the moment but regularly gets out on the golf course to keep up the facade of having a handicap of five.