Greedy punters slap huge price tag on Masters gnomes

The Masters may have finished a fortnight ago but it looks like the Augusta gnomes drama is just hotting up.

Greedy eBay users are trying to flip the ‘must have’ Masters merch for huge sums, with one, full-size, unboxed gnome currently listed for $2,400.

That’s approximately £1,925 going by current exchange rates but is pushed north of the two-grand mark by shipping, listed at $198.16, and duties, estimated to be around $155.

The seller is understood to be based in Portland, Oregon.

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Another eBay user, located in Augusta, is currently selling an unboxed gnome for $2,160, with others going for anything between £300 and £500.

This represents a huge mark-up on the $49.50 retail price of the ornament.

Introduced in 2016, the gnomes quickly established themselves as the hottest piece of Masters merchandise.

Reportedly limited to just 1,000 per day – and one per day on a first come, first served basis – they have a different design each year. One of the earliest featured a gnome decked out in the famous white caddie overalls, whilst the 2024 vintage had the customary white beard, a navy cardigan and plaid trousers with a Masters golf bag slung over its shoulders.

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A complete collection of the gnomes, from 2016 to now, is conservatively estimated to be worth as much as $25,000.

Back in March, when Augusta National gave patrons a first look at the 2024 design on social media, “Masters Garden Gnomes” were reportedly searched for more than 70 times per hour on eBay.

It is reckoned that the number of gnomes sold via eBay increased by a whopping 3,750% between 2016 and 2023.

An original 2016 gnome even sold for a record $2,250 on the auction site last year.

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor