Digital Sabbatical

AUGUSTA, GEORGIA | How long has it been since you’ve looked at your cellphone or made a call?

How many times today have you checked your e-mail or glanced at Twitter or done whatever else you might do with your phone?

For all I know, you may be reading this on your phone.

But not at the Masters.

If you’ve attended the Masters, you understand that the no-cellphone policy isn’t a suggestion. It’s a mandate. The law of the land. The unforgivable sin.

It’s the definition of zero tolerance.

And, it’s a beautiful thing.

“It’s nice, isn’t it?” Tiger Woods said Tuesday.

Surprisingly nice, once your hands stop shaking and your heartbeat slows and you realize you haven’t lost your phone, just given it some space.

If you’ve not been to the Masters, it’s probably difficult to fully appreciate how unbending but ultimately liberating Augusta National’s cellphone policy is. It’s not as simple as prohibiting phone conversations on the course. It means you can’t bring your phone on the property. Period. Exclamation point. Do...