A Day at The Masters
Making a trip to Augusta National and The Masters is always a great experience. This year I was able to make my third trip around the hallowed grounds. It is always special and each time I have taken more away from the course’s design.
If you have never been to Augusta National, words can’t describe it. I sat next to a gentleman from Madison, WI on my way down and he was making his first trip. The first thing you tell them is you can’t believe the elevation change on the course. TV does not do this justice. The elevations going down #2 fairway and #10 tee are amazing. Combine this will the uphill shots on #8 and #18 and you get a sense of the brilliance behind Bobby Jones and Alister MacKenzie.
There is also the greens. Easily the most dominant feature of the course. Bold slopes that either feed the ball to, or away, from the hole. That is why it is so rare for a first time player to win at Augusta. You just need that understanding of where to hit, and where to miss, the greens.
The slope around the greens are also difficult to explain. On many greens you can easily find yourself four feet below the putting surface by just being a few feet off the green. During the practice round you see just as many shots being tried from off the green as on the putting surface. As I said, you also need to miss the green in the right spot.
The design strategy at Augusta National is simple, yet effective. You only find 44 bunkers and each one has a purpose. Even the fairway bunker on #10 can affect a recovery shot out of the trees. On the first hole you get a sense of strategy you find. Bunker right off the tee and left at the green is a classic design approach. Challenge the first bunker to gain an open approach to the green. Play away and you need to carry the greenside bunker. Yes, simple and effective.
As is most often the case, it always seems The Masters does not start until the back nine on Sunday. This was evident last year with Jordan Spieth and in 2011 with Rory McIlroy and his closing 43. You make that turn with the downhill tenth that, while looking simple, challenges you to get down the hill off the tee for the flatter lie and shorter approach. The sloping green places a premium to stay below the hole.
Eleven starts Amen corner where many Masters are won and lost. You see defensive approaches on eleven and twelve, where pars are always a good score. Bold play is needed on thirteen where an eagle can kick start a charge. Play eleven, twelve, and thirteen under par and you stay in prime position. A bad swing on any hole can lead to disaster.
If you do find trouble at Amen Corner you have time to make up the strokes. With the right pin positions fourteen, fifteen, and sixteen all offer birdie chances or eagle chances. We saw three hole in ones at sixteen last year on the final day. It is a must to play these holes well.
Seventeen is sneaky tough on the last day. You have the pressure to make a good swing if you are the leader and the narrow fairway makes that more difficult. While the green appears mild by Augusta standards, sharp slopes and fall offs come into play.
Finally, eighteen is one of the classic finishing holes in golf. Need a birdie and you can get it with the Sunday front pin location. As the leader, the narrow shoot off the tee tightens up. A drive in the fairway is important, but does not lead to an easy second. The elevation on the uphill approach is one which you cannot describe. This makes it easy to pull a shot left or leave it out to the right. We’ve seen that many times. With a win in hand it, along with the home hole at St. Andrews, is easily one of the best victory marches in golf.
If you get a chance to visit Augusta National, do not pass it down. Whether it is your first or third trip, it is always special. Getting a refresher on the intricacies of the course will make watching this year’s tournament even more exciting.