Why do Masters caddies wear white jumpsuits? When did tradition begin?
Masters caddies, unlike other golf events, have to wear a special outfit when working for their player. Why the white jumpsuits?
Caddies are always easy to spot in a professional golf tournament: they're the ones carrying the bags that can weigh 40 pounds or more. But the caddies at the Augusta National Golf Club during the week of the Masters Tournament are even more recognizable, with their gleaming white jumpsuits they are required to wear every moment they're on the course or the practice areas with their player. What's on the Menu?
: Rory McIlroy hosts Champions dinner. When did the tradition begin? How did the Masters caddy white jumpsuits evolve?
Like most Masters Tournament traditions, the white jumpsuits that caddies wear started with Augusta National Golf Club co-founder Clifford Roberts. When the Masters first began in 1934, caddies wore shirts and slacks and weren't much different from the casual attire patrons wore. Roberts pushed for something with more uniformity.
The club came up with the jumpsuits, plus a green Masters hat. Some call them coveralls but the club prefers the term "jumpsuits. " Roberts wanted white to stand out against the emerald-green landscape of Augusta National.