<P> The tournament has a number of traditions . Since 1949 , a green jacket has been awarded to the champion , who must return it to the clubhouse one year after his victory , although it remains his personal property and is stored with other champions ' jackets in a specially designated cloakroom . In most instances , only a first - time and currently reigning champion may remove his jacket from the club grounds . A golfer who wins the event multiple times uses the same green jacket awarded upon his initial win ( unless he needs to be re-fitted with a new jacket ) . The Champions Dinner , inaugurated by Ben Hogan in 1952 , is held on the Tuesday before each tournament , and is open only to past champions and certain board members of the Augusta National Golf Club . Beginning in 1963 , legendary golfers , usually past champions , have hit an honorary tee shot on the morning of the first round to commence play . These have included Fred McLeod , Jock Hutchinson , Gene Sarazen , Sam Snead , Byron Nelson , Arnold Palmer , Jack Nicklaus , and Gary Player . Since 1960 , a semi-social contest at the par - 3 course has been played on Wednesday , the day before the first round . </P>
<P> The tournament has a number of traditions . Since 1949 , a green jacket has been awarded to the champion , who must return it to the clubhouse one year after his victory , although it remains his personal property and is stored with other champions ' jackets in a specially designated cloakroom . In most instances , only a first - time and currently reigning champion may remove his jacket from the club grounds . A golfer who wins the event multiple times uses the same green jacket awarded upon his initial win ( unless he needs to be re-fitted with a new jacket ) . The Champions Dinner , inaugurated by Ben Hogan in 1952 , is held on the Tuesday before each tournament , and is open only to past champions and certain board members of the Augusta National Golf Club . Beginning in 1963 , legendary golfers , usually past champions , have hit an honorary tee shot on the morning of the first round to commence play . These have included Fred McLeod , Jock Hutchinson , Gene Sarazen , Sam Snead , Byron Nelson , Arnold Palmer , Jack Nicklaus , and Gary Player . Since 1960 , a semi-social contest at the par - 3 course has been played on Wednesday , the day before the first round . </P>
when was the first green jacket awarded at the masters
when was the first green jacket awarded at the masters
1949
1949