Breaking Down Augusta National's Decision To Exclusively Wear 3 Buttons On The Green Jacket

I understand by virtue of publishing this blog that I'm of risk to offend Augusta National's membership. Please be assured this is not my intent. I merely want to know why the most coveted jacket in the universe exclusively comes with 3 buttons. I was legitimately not prepared to process this fact when I saw this picture earlier today from the guy who wrote a couple thousand words about Riggs' stay at Pinehurst. I was naturally drawn to the buttoning. I couldn't help myself. 

Alexa

Don't get this confused. I'm no different than any normal sports fan. Everybody loves a green jacket. It's impossible to even imagine the pride and satisfaction that comes with the championship. Of the 25 million Americans that have tee'd off since 2006, exactly 6 have won the rights to this jacket. Naturally they can pull off whatever style they damn well please. 

Push comes to shove though, this really shouldn't be a practical debate. Just be sensible here guys. The 3-button hasn't been on the menu since The Greatest Generation left the American workforce and I say that with a profound appreciation for history and tradition. Yes a 3-button commands sophistication, but at the expense of visual forgiveness on a canvas big enough to hold a double breast. There's limited shoulder mobility alongside notable silhouetting issues. And that's before we even get to button strategy. 

Without disrespecting The GOAT here, you never solo the top of a 3-button. I know that's a curveball from your traditional 2-button jacket but you just don't do it. Most people are unaware of this 3-button fact until they're corrected so don't feel too shabby if this is breaking news. In Tiger's case it's hard to imagine someone volunteering unsolicited green-jacket advice considering he has 5 of them. Nevertheless, best practice dictates you either button the top 2 or just solo the middle. Any other combination may be seen as a compromise. 

When you think about it like that, a softball 2-button makes a lot of sense. 

But here's exactly why I'm wrong. The reason you go 3-button is because the focus is more on the jacket, and less on the shirt/tie combination. You don't want your shirt/tie getting the playing time that comes with wearing a 2-button. A deeper cut to the top button works entirely against the ethos of the green jacket. You don't need that much exposure to the ebbs and flows of double windsor vs. half windsor knots. 

Comparatively, the 3-button allows for a much more uniform presentation in a group setting and I think that's the ultimate goal when talking green jacket. Sure that can be tough on the guy who loves a 2-button, but you're getting a cleaner look at the membership from 30,000 feet. If you're a team guy like me then you get why that's important. If you don't then maybe you'd look better in Gold.