Handheld cameras are a staple at the Masters. Here's why

One of the many things that makes the Masters different compared to other major golf tournaments is that cell phones are not allowed on the course. So instead of breaking out a phone to take photos, patrons will bring handheld digital cameras of a bygone era.

For Charleston native Chandler Fields, her camera of choice is a Canon PowerShot SD750, a device that was originally released in early 2007. The 2026 Masters is Fields’ fourth. She only uses the camera for this event. It sits in her center console the other 51 weeks out of the year.

While walking around without her phone leaves Field with a constant feeling of missing something, she says being without it helps her stay “present” instead of being constantly glued to her mobile device.

Golf - The Masters - Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Georgia, U.S. - April 7, 2026 Patrons take photographs at Amen Corner during a practice round REUTERS/Kylie Cooper

“You kind of get used to it,” Fields said. “It makes Augusta, Augusta.”

Fields’ main assignment with her digital camera this year is to document her mom’s first time at the tournament. After their time is done, she plans on printing out the photos before putting them in a scrapbook and in a memory box.

Shannon Collett hadn’t used a digital camera since 2010, the year after she bought her first iPhone. Coming to the Masters this year forced her to buy one 16 years later. The Canton, Georgia, native shelled out about $200 for two cameras, one for her and one for her daughter.

Collett’s teenage daughter had to help her remember how to use it again after years of simply tapping the screen to take photos on her iPhone. Deborah and Ralph Limbrick have had their digital camera since 2016. It had been a while since the Houstonians had used it, though, and they had to resort to Google to figure out the controls.

One patron opted to borrow a camera from a friend. They hadn’t used one since 2005, but said it was “like riding a bike” in terms of remembering how to use it.

One of the more popular cameras that was spotted throughout the course was the Fujifilm QuickSnap 135 Flash 400-27exp Camera. It goes for $20 at Target, and the four-step instructions on the back make it a cost-effective and accessible option for patrons.

After talking to a handful of patrons, the overwhelming consensus is that using digital cameras is just another part of what makes the Masters so special for them compared to anything else. And because cameras are only allowed during the practice rounds on Monday-Wednesday, it adds to the exclusive feel that comes with being at Augusta National Golf Club in any given year.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Masters 2026: Digital cameras get their annual moment in the sun at Augusta