Ray-Ban Meta cause a stir at prestigious sports event amid calls for a future ban

Smartglasses continue to be found on the faces of people trying to circumvent rules, whether they be societal or institutional, and the latest event to be likely considering a future ban is the Masters golf tournament.

Why? The event, which ran between April 9 and April 12 at the Augusta National in Georgia, United States, has a strict no cell phone or camera ban, but as smartglasses are not specifically mentioned, attendees have been trying to get away with wearing them.

A current problem

It has been enough of a problem that officials have been specially trained to look out for smartglasses such as the Ray-Ban Meta , which may be able to record proceedings.

What happens when they catch someone? One fan was caught in the act and had their smartglasses confiscated and was only allowed to collect them when leaving the tournament, according to an anonymous source speaking to the Daily Mail .

This is a light punishment, as anyone caught using a smartphone or other banned device to make calls or send photos and video risks being thrown out of the event, and potentially banned from future events too.

The Masters says it bans devices like smartphones and cameras to, "ensure an elevated experience for all," and fans should leave their digital lives and thirst for content creation at the entrance.

Updated rules

Browse the Masters' website , and it's very clear phones, along with drones, laptops, tablets, cameras (outside of digital cameras being allowed at certain times), radios, TVs, and equipment like selfie sticks and tripods are all prohibited.

However, fitness trackers and smartwatches are permitted, provided they can't be used to send messages, make calls, or take photos or video. Smartglasses are nowhere to be found in the rules.

Golf pundit Dan Rapaport has said the Augusta course should update its rules to include smartglasses and smartwatches including the Apple Watch. He claims to have seen many sharing videos shot on Ray-Ban Meta from the event, which he says shows a lack of respect.

Banning phones and cameras has an interesting effect, and it's clear why Augusta is keen to protect the unique atmosphere created by its rules. Take a look at the crowd photo shared on the Masters' X account below, where no-one is holding up a phone to record the action. If this was at a modern concert or event where phones are allowed, the scene would look very different.

Continued problems

Smartglasses, in particular Ray-Ban Meta due to the camera feature, have had a rough ride recently. From problems with the tech being used to r ecord women without their consent, to being used as a tool to coach witnesses in court , the ghost of Google Glass is haunting Meta's big wearable tech hit.

Meta isn't the only brand banking on the success of smartglasses in 2026, with Google expected to launch its own pair in the near future , along with Samsung too. Brands like Even Realities are avoiding cameras , taking smartglasses in a different direction.

Following the conclusion of the Masters 2026 event, it seems highly likely smartglasses will be added to the list of banned electronic equipment ready for the 2027 tournament. It's not the first piece of wearable tech to cause a stir at a sporting event in 2026 either, as the Whoop fitness band made headlines during the Australian Open tennis event.