Masters gnome craze reaches ‘Hunger Games’ levels amid final edition rumors
Anthony Tartaglione and his friends were “packed like penguins” at Augusta National’s North Gate at 5:30 a.m. on Monday.
The gate didn’t open for another 90 minutes, but the pastel-clad group of patrons had grown from a small crowd to a horde. Tartaglione, from Wilmington, North Carolina, left home hours before sunrise hunting the same item as every other patron he spoke with around him: the 10th edition of the Masters gnome.
The craze for the gnome originated in 2016, when Augusta National debuted the 18-inch lawn ornament. The original gnome is an old-school golfer wearing an argyle vest with a bag of clubs over his shoulder. Newer editions of the gnome have personified patrons, caddies and the club’s take on a tacky Christmas sweater.
The 2026 gnome is dressed as a patron with a classic green-and-white functioning Masters umbrella.
The Masters 2026
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FIRST ROUND: What to expect Thursday | All the Masters tee times | Mason Howell will share Masters start with Rory McIlroy
THE FIELD: An appreciation for Scottie Scheffler’s quiet stardom | These 5 players should compete for first green jacket | No Tiger? No Phil? No biggie, the kids say | Mason Howell’s path to Augusta | 9 top-ranked newcomers making their debut | Scottie Scheffler heavily favored over elite contenders | Oldest vs. youngest golfers at the Masters
WHAT TO WATCH: Why Augusta National could be ‘even more difficult’ this year | Augusta National can bring top players to their knees | Rival league presence will be felt at Augusta National
AT AUGUSTA NATIONAL: What Masters golfers would do as patrons at Augusta: ‘Have a lot of beers’ | 10 Masters terms to know before you go | Don’t sleep on these 5 hidden spots at Augusta National | Plan your practice rounds like a pro
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PHOTOS: Par 3 contest | Contenders warm up | Practice rounds tee off
MASTERS GNOME: Masters gnome craze hits ‘Hunger Games’ levels amid final-edition rumors
The gnome’s novelty — and the resale value — have skyrocketed over the past decade. Many patrons beeline to the Golf Shop before watching a single swing or taking a bite of pimento cheese.
“It’s crazy how much a piece of ceramic can influence people’s time,” Tartaglione said.
That influence could soon be snuffed, though. Rumors aggregated by a Golf Digest article suggest the gnomes could be leaving the Golf Shop next year due to its intense popularity. It’s the only item in the shop that is limited to one purchase per person.
The early-morning frenzy has become too much for some Masters regulars. Augusta residents Kyle and Brittni Amerson have collected all 10 gnomes, but they wouldn’t mind avoiding the anxiety of the gnome-chase next year.
“For us, it’s more of a staple for Augusta, but at the same time, it’s one of those things where if people are reselling them for $400 or $500 for something that’s costing them $50, it’s just like everything else,” Brittni Amerson said. “It’s a price-gouge, but it makes the actual shopping experience not worth it just because of the chaos, unfortunately.”
Amerson added that she loves the gnomes — she wore gnome-themed earrings — but the chase has worn her down over the years.
Karen Neubauer from Richmond, Va., and Justine Dutton from Raleigh, N.C., said the hunt for gnomes was significantly wilder than it was even three years ago.
“Have you ever seen ‘The Hunger Games’? That’s what it felt like,” Neubauer said.
Singular gnomes resell for several hundred dollars while 10-year sets are listed for tens of thousands online.
As for the patrons chasing the sentimental value, some claim no amount of money could convince them to sell their collections.
“I’m going to sit there and stare at it,” Tartaglione said. “Like, that’s all I’m going to do. I’m going to look at it.
“But damn, is it nice to have one.”
About the Author
Jack Leo is a sports writer and reporter for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Jack worked for the AJC throughout his four years studying journalism and sports media at Georgia State University and the University of Georgia. He's now focused on telling stories in the grassroots: bringing comprehensive coverage of high school sports for AJC Varsity.
