Here's the 2026 VERSION of the annual tips for the Masters...
Yes this is a long read…. And there's not a lot of new information for this year… but it's a tradition to post this… so here goes….
CHANGES for 2026..... that we've heard of....
- the 17th hole is lengthened to 450 yards.... brings the total course length to 7,565 yards.... they gotta do something to limit the golf ball....
- a new 3 story Players Services building by the driving range now connects to an underground parking area for the players.
- Trees have been planted to address some of the damage from the 2023 storm....
- John Daly doesnt hang out at hooters anymore. I'm told he will be at Top Golf this year...
- i've heard this could the last year for the GNOMES. but i don't believe it. they're too popular...
- I'll update this post monday night after walking the course...
Let's also turn the post into as questions and answers forum. So please add questions or answers as this evolves. Any and all can add information or answer questions….
DISCLAIMER: I don't claim to know everything, just passing on my advice and opinions... please add any suggestions or tips of your own
My first Masters was in 1995… and I haveworked served as a volunteer since 2003. I'll be on the scoring committee again this year, but worked many years on the information boards. I also ran the 1st tee during the practice rounds for many years before moving to scoring…
My current assignment is scorer for #16. I sit by the green and count strokes….this is my 23rd year serving as a volunteer. at 25 years, i'll have the option to take the retirement package - 2 badges for life. but i wont get to play the course.... so hopefully they let me continue past 25...
PRACTICE ROUNDS:
MONDAY - understand that MONDAY is the day with the least play… but a great day to see the course…
Some of the players will play - and you'll certainly enjoy the course and seeing it first hand. but don't be surprised if some of the big names (Rahm, Rory, etc) do not play on Monday. And I don't recommend hanging out on the 1st tee hoping someone will show up. That's a waste of time…. And remember that none of the volunteers (marshals) know who will play or when they'll play. There's no tee times…. The players play as much or as little as they want. Your best source to find out who's playing is the INFORMATION Boards (not the scoreboard). The Information boards will show you who's on the course (and who's on the practice range)
TUESDAY is a great practice round day… almost all of the field will play, and most will play 18 holes. Many of the best players will be off 1 or 10 very early. So get there early. if you're mostly interested in watching the big names, I'd get there early.
WEDNESDAY everyone loves Wednesday, and that includes the volunteers (marshals and scorers) as most volunteers will get the afternoon off. The par 3 is great, but if that's your only day, you will not see as much play on the big course as many players are resting for Thursday…
THING TO KNOW: YES THERE IS PLAY ON THE BIG COURSE ON WEDNESDAY. BUT ALL PLAY MUST STOP ON THE BIG COURSE BY 2 PM TO ALLOW PREPARATION FOR THURSDAY. But Wednesday afternoon is all about the Par 3. After 2 pm on Wednesday, you can still walk around the big course to look at it, but there will be no players.
Arrive early and watch play on the big course Wednesday morning, then wander over to the par 3 course for the afternoon. The par 3 usually starts around 1130 am.
NOTE that the par 3 course has been redesigned. So give it a look…
A - CAMERAS - Everyone knows you can bring a camera in on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday… but no chairs with arms, and NO CELL PHONES. Remember you'll go thru a metal detector on the way in… Your camera must be a camera to take pictures. You will not be allowed to bring in a phone to take pictures… you can leave your cell phone in the car or they will check it for you at the gate.
B - Check out the INFORMATION BOARDS. There's 7 of them around the course, but the first one to look at is by the main leaderboard (front gate) or by the concessions at the back gate those boards will tell you who's on the course and when they teed off or when they made the turn. It will also tell you who's on the driving range…
Once the tournament starts on Thursday the boards will have the tee times / schedule for the players, and will also let you know when players make the turn.
C Remember that there are NO TEE TIMES FOR THE PRACTICE ROUNDS. The players will play whenever they want. And they can go off the front, or the back, or stop at any point.
QUICK STORY THAT MAKES THE NO TEE TIMES POINT…
A couple of years ago, it was a Monday and everyone kept asking me where Tiger was… Of course we don't know when the players will play… Anyway at about 4:00, tiger came out of the clubhouse and tee'd off on #10…. Thousands of people were so excited that tiger was finally playing… and he took thousands of people with him down the hill on #10. But after putting out on 10, he walked over to the 18 tee (which is close to 10 green) and played 18 back up the hill and then went back in the clubhouse. Many of these people were then mad at me…. again the players do whatever they want during the practice rounds…
D - PARKING is now a snap since they've cleared out all the houses along Berkman drive. just follow the signs. earlier the better. i'd recommend taking the bobby jones exit from i20 versus Washington road. Washington road always has the most traffic. Early and late...
it's a great story how we (volunteers) showed up around 10 years ago and literally thousands of houses along and behind Berkman's road had been bought, moved, dozed, whatever… to create all that free parking… so enjoy it.
You can also spend $10 20 parking in a church or business along Washington road. But remember that's like main street for Augusta… lots of traffic… I vote for the free parking off of berkman…
E - TRAFFIC is a problem. remember - augusta is a very small town to host such a large event. Its spring break for the people who live there. Most people who live there want to get as far away as possible, so they rent their house and hit the road.
F BUY YOUR STUFF when you get there and SHIP IT HOME. There's no sense lugging it around. You can ship or store it while you see the course. Prices are mostly the same as what you'd pay at your local pro shop. I've been watching people buy stuff for 20 years, and most people spend at least $300, and many people go much higher. I've heard of people spending $20,000…
you can also ship your extra clothes home.... so if its cold in the morning, take those layers off later and ship them home via Fedex. they don't care what you put in the shipping box.... grab an Augusta National pine cone and ship it home....
the pro shop at the front gate entry is the largest one, but there's also a really nice one at the back gate. the back gate area was re-done several years ago - its very nice... that's also where Berckman's place is... the front gate merchandise and concessions areas have been redone as well.
A new merchandise shop opened last year next to the 8th tee. its very nice, but much smaller than the shops at the front and back gate...
G the FOOD IS CHEAP. You'll understand this if you've ever been to the US open, or an NFL game. A sandwich is $2 - 3 dollars. Chips are a buck. A coke is $1.50… eat up… beer is cheap too, but they stop selling it at 4:00. People rave about the pimento sandwich, but I don't like pimento… I go all out and spend $3.50 on the club sandwich
H - RHINEHARTS is my best DINING recommendation. its about 3 miles from ANGC on the other side of i20 on Washington road. Its very rustic (it's a dive…), but the best fried shrimp I've ever had. It always looks crowed, but you can get in. I will eat there several nights during masters week… there's another rhineharts further out on Washington road that's less crowded and the same great food / beer… but really the restaurants along Washington road are easier to get in than you would think.
Especially the non native food… but beware… Mexican food in augusta isn't the same as tex mex in texas…
I WILL BE AT RHINEHEARTS ON SUNDAY, MONDAY, AND TUESDAY NIGHT WITH MY FRIENDS. i know. lots of fried food consumed by an old man...
I - I don't get the CHAIR thing. yes - you can buy a chair, put it down on the ropes, and leave it and not worry about losing it - but the stands are there for a reason. the best viewing is the stands. i'd avoid the chair thing…. But lots of people disagree with me…
Remember that you can sit in someone else's chair…. But they'll ask you nicely to move when they return. Just sit in another chair. Really it's a nice place….
NOTE: if it rains or storms go back and pick up your chair…. If AN decides to move all the patrons outside the inner gate (back to the concession and merchandise areas), you may NOT be able to retrieve your chair later if play doesn't resume…
J best seat / viewing at Augusta? The right side stands on #15 (last par 5 on the back). You'll see the shots into the green on 15 and the shots into 16 (par 3 my hole). Those stands are always full. but be patient. People will leave. So hang out in line and you'll get a seat… remember the stands are there for a reason… most of the best viewing is where the stands are…
K - see the entire course…. walk all of it. you may never be there again. And you'll be blown away by the slopes, size of greens, depth of bunkers, hump in the green on #6, size of green on #3, the skinny green on #7; the elevation change on #6 and #10, beauty everywhere.
Notice the design also remember the changes that have been made some good, some bad… 'all because the ball goes too far….
A few highlights:
Hole #1 note the depth of the right bunkers. Also note how far the tee box has been moved back.
Hole #2 easiest hole on the course
Hole #3 now almost driveable by many in the field. But note what's behind the green and how easy it is to hit over it.
Hole #4 brutal par 3…. Brutal green. Remember when phil hit the rail of the stands?
MAKE THE WALK TO SEE hole #5. This hole was always interesting because of the green. And it's the hole that is LEAST VISITED because of where it is…
But AN moved the tee box in 2019. The hole is longer (of course), but the tee box was moved to relieve congestion with the 4th green. And since AN owns more property (closing berkmans road), they moved the fence and found room to build a new ELEVATED tee box. We saw the construction last may when we were there for PLAYDAY… but I'm anxious to see it now that its finished. I have mixed emotions here. The congestion with people traffic from the 4th green was real. So they probably had to do it. But now they've really changed the hole to be less of a dogleft left. BEFORE they moved the tee box, the tee shot was intimidating because of the bunkers on the left side and the tree line on the right. Many people find the trees because the left bunkers are deep. Now that its straighter, I think the tee shot will be easier. I just don't think you change the routing on a great course like that….
And remember the 5th green. You must see it. Note the super large hump in the middle of the green. You will not notice this as much on TV…
Note the elevation change (visually) on #6, the par 3. But its mostly an optical delusion… it looks like its massively downhill. But it plays almost flat…
Look at #7 that green is ridiculous lots of slopes, and its tiny. The hole (#7) was designed in the early 30's to be played as a 3 iron and then a PW on to the green. Designed as a 325 yard hole with tree's crimping in towards the greens. In other words, the green was designed to accept a shot from a wedge. And the hole was designed to be a very tight driving hole hence the 3 iron. But over time, the trees continue to grow in, making the hole tighter now than before. The storm a couple of years ago thinned the tops of many trees, but there's no questions they are larger now…
#7 is now 450 yards and tighter than ever because the trees keep growing… and the green is still a postage stamp...
And yes I'm one of those old guys who thinks the ball goes too far and its ruining a lot of great golf courses around the country.
Hole #8 note how uphill the hole is. Again hard to see on TV.
#9 is another hole that's been moved way back…. I remember when every player hit their tee shot to the bottom of the hill and thru the cross walk. But note how scary the approach looks to that elevated green. That green is a 3 putt waiting to happen..
#10 no one realizes how downhill this par 4 is… its shocking to people seeing it for the first time. And you'll notice a large bunker in the middle of the fairway about 90 yards from the green. Its not really in play, but that bunker was a green side bunker before the green was moved.
#11 TEE BOX HAS BEEN MOVED (again) note the difference between the member tee and the pro tee. Its about 150 yards… beautiful hole, but a scary 2nd shot with the water on the left. Missing the green on the right isn't fun either. Unless you're larry mize…
#12 beautiful hole. The big surprise for me was realizing that the creek is concrete lined. The first time I played it, I couldn't believe the creek was lined with concrete to eliminate any risk of erosion.
#13 my favorite hole… tons of action and history. Another hole where distance has made it a very easy par 5 for the pro's. and everyone knows that AN bought land from Augusta Country Club to move the tee back.. ACC had to move a green to accommodate AN… but anything can be done when you don't care what it costs…
#14 my least favorite hote. Its easier now as they reduced the size of the hump in the green..
#15 another great hole… (ADDED LENGTH LAST YEAR)…risk / reward… note the trees on the right. They're mature now, but everyone remembers when they were planted to eliminate the Tiger effect.
Another must do for the practice rounds is #16…. make sure you see the players skip balls on #16. It always amazes me to see a great pro hit a 7 or 8 iron to 30 feet on #16... but then skip it 10 times off the pond in front of the green to 5 feet. and yes - john daly made a hole in one on 16 one year by skipping the ball. it was a practice round but the place went nuts...
John doesn't get to play the Masters anymore - but he's always in his RV selling clothes and hats in the Hooter's parking lot... go by and see him...
#17 it's a totally different tee shot now that the Eisenhower tree has been removed. It was damaged in a storm several years ago and AN had to remove it. I'm actually surprised they haven't replaced it… it's a much easier tee show now.
#18. Last hole but not least by any means. Make sure you see #18 from the tee box. Most people are shocked to see how uphill it is. But it makes sense given how downhill #10 is. And note the tightness of the shoot that the tee shot is hit thru. And note the green…. TV doesn't show the tiers in the green…
THAT'S ALL FOR THE COURSE… BACK TO A FEW SUGGESTIONS…
L WHAT TO WEAR… first watch the weather. It can be quite cool in the morning, but warm up nicely in the afternoons. Obviously wear layers…
Also I used to make fun of all the guys wearing golf shoes… and I can also remember the noise of metal spikes… but now I've changed my mind especially when it rains. Remember AN is full of slopes. (trust me if you've never been there, you will be shocked by the slopes around the green and how much of an elevated tee #10 is…)
When it rains its very slippery… ive seen lots of falls and spills over the years which is I why I think soft spikes (that are comfortable) is a good idea. But remember you'll walk a lot…
I would not carry an umbrella in. if its rains, go buy one. they're about $40 and you wanted an excuse to buy one anyway...
M - make sure you check out the driving range… I haven't been everywhere, but I've never seen anything like it…
N - autographs - lots of possibilities at the par 3 event on wednesday, but officially, the only place you're supposed to get autographs is where the players leave the driving range...and now they will utilize the new players services building and park under ground. so autographs may be more challenging....
but there's always a few kids waiting for players as they exit the 18th green and the nice pro's will usually sign...
Lastly, don't be that guy. Avoid being:
[ol]
"the you da man guy, or the booyah or 'mashed potatoes' guy. the drink all day guy carrying your masters beer cups around the guy who goes thru the trash looking for plastic masters cups, the guy who wears the ricky fowler clothes, or the guy who wears the loudmouth pants ...the masters is a classy place. be the classy guy...:-) they may be watching you trying to decide if they're going to offer you a membership…
[/ol]
ENJOY THE GREATEST SHOW EARTH… AND EASILY THE BEST organized and RUN…
And why do we volunteer? easy: The benefit of being a volunteer is we get to come back in may and play the course… no, we don't play the tips, and the member tees make the course very short (6300 yards). but the greens are still the greens and yes, I've putted off the green...
Happy to answer any questions…. I may start another thread just to tell stories…
Lastly if youre there for a tournament round, come by and see me. I'm on 16 on the right side of the green above the bunker. I enjoy talking to Ags every year…
Yes this is a long read…. And there's not a lot of new information for this year… but it's a tradition to post this… so here goes….
CHANGES for 2026..... that we've heard of....
- the 17th hole is lengthened to 450 yards.... brings the total course length to 7,565 yards.... they gotta do something to limit the golf ball....
- a new 3 story Players Services building by the driving range now connects to an underground parking area for the players.
- Trees have been planted to address some of the damage from the 2023 storm....
- John Daly doesnt hang out at hooters anymore. I'm told he will be at Top Golf this year...
- i've heard this could the last year for the GNOMES. but i don't believe it. they're too popular...
- I'll update this post monday night after walking the course...
Let's also turn the post into as questions and answers forum. So please add questions or answers as this evolves. Any and all can add information or answer questions….
DISCLAIMER: I don't claim to know everything, just passing on my advice and opinions... please add any suggestions or tips of your own
My first Masters was in 1995… and I have
My current assignment is scorer for #16. I sit by the green and count strokes….this is my 23rd year serving as a volunteer. at 25 years, i'll have the option to take the retirement package - 2 badges for life. but i wont get to play the course.... so hopefully they let me continue past 25...
PRACTICE ROUNDS:
MONDAY - understand that MONDAY is the day with the least play… but a great day to see the course…
Some of the players will play - and you'll certainly enjoy the course and seeing it first hand. but don't be surprised if some of the big names (Rahm, Rory, etc) do not play on Monday. And I don't recommend hanging out on the 1st tee hoping someone will show up. That's a waste of time…. And remember that none of the volunteers (marshals) know who will play or when they'll play. There's no tee times…. The players play as much or as little as they want. Your best source to find out who's playing is the INFORMATION Boards (not the scoreboard). The Information boards will show you who's on the course (and who's on the practice range)
TUESDAY is a great practice round day… almost all of the field will play, and most will play 18 holes. Many of the best players will be off 1 or 10 very early. So get there early. if you're mostly interested in watching the big names, I'd get there early.
WEDNESDAY everyone loves Wednesday, and that includes the volunteers (marshals and scorers) as most volunteers will get the afternoon off. The par 3 is great, but if that's your only day, you will not see as much play on the big course as many players are resting for Thursday…
THING TO KNOW: YES THERE IS PLAY ON THE BIG COURSE ON WEDNESDAY. BUT ALL PLAY MUST STOP ON THE BIG COURSE BY 2 PM TO ALLOW PREPARATION FOR THURSDAY. But Wednesday afternoon is all about the Par 3. After 2 pm on Wednesday, you can still walk around the big course to look at it, but there will be no players.
Arrive early and watch play on the big course Wednesday morning, then wander over to the par 3 course for the afternoon. The par 3 usually starts around 1130 am.
NOTE that the par 3 course has been redesigned. So give it a look…
A - CAMERAS - Everyone knows you can bring a camera in on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday… but no chairs with arms, and NO CELL PHONES. Remember you'll go thru a metal detector on the way in… Your camera must be a camera to take pictures. You will not be allowed to bring in a phone to take pictures… you can leave your cell phone in the car or they will check it for you at the gate.
B - Check out the INFORMATION BOARDS. There's 7 of them around the course, but the first one to look at is by the main leaderboard (front gate) or by the concessions at the back gate those boards will tell you who's on the course and when they teed off or when they made the turn. It will also tell you who's on the driving range…
Once the tournament starts on Thursday the boards will have the tee times / schedule for the players, and will also let you know when players make the turn.
C Remember that there are NO TEE TIMES FOR THE PRACTICE ROUNDS. The players will play whenever they want. And they can go off the front, or the back, or stop at any point.
QUICK STORY THAT MAKES THE NO TEE TIMES POINT…
A couple of years ago, it was a Monday and everyone kept asking me where Tiger was… Of course we don't know when the players will play… Anyway at about 4:00, tiger came out of the clubhouse and tee'd off on #10…. Thousands of people were so excited that tiger was finally playing… and he took thousands of people with him down the hill on #10. But after putting out on 10, he walked over to the 18 tee (which is close to 10 green) and played 18 back up the hill and then went back in the clubhouse. Many of these people were then mad at me…. again the players do whatever they want during the practice rounds…
D - PARKING is now a snap since they've cleared out all the houses along Berkman drive. just follow the signs. earlier the better. i'd recommend taking the bobby jones exit from i20 versus Washington road. Washington road always has the most traffic. Early and late...
it's a great story how we (volunteers) showed up around 10 years ago and literally thousands of houses along and behind Berkman's road had been bought, moved, dozed, whatever… to create all that free parking… so enjoy it.
You can also spend $10 20 parking in a church or business along Washington road. But remember that's like main street for Augusta… lots of traffic… I vote for the free parking off of berkman…
E - TRAFFIC is a problem. remember - augusta is a very small town to host such a large event. Its spring break for the people who live there. Most people who live there want to get as far away as possible, so they rent their house and hit the road.
F BUY YOUR STUFF when you get there and SHIP IT HOME. There's no sense lugging it around. You can ship or store it while you see the course. Prices are mostly the same as what you'd pay at your local pro shop. I've been watching people buy stuff for 20 years, and most people spend at least $300, and many people go much higher. I've heard of people spending $20,000…
you can also ship your extra clothes home.... so if its cold in the morning, take those layers off later and ship them home via Fedex. they don't care what you put in the shipping box.... grab an Augusta National pine cone and ship it home....
the pro shop at the front gate entry is the largest one, but there's also a really nice one at the back gate. the back gate area was re-done several years ago - its very nice... that's also where Berckman's place is... the front gate merchandise and concessions areas have been redone as well.
A new merchandise shop opened last year next to the 8th tee. its very nice, but much smaller than the shops at the front and back gate...
G the FOOD IS CHEAP. You'll understand this if you've ever been to the US open, or an NFL game. A sandwich is $2 - 3 dollars. Chips are a buck. A coke is $1.50… eat up… beer is cheap too, but they stop selling it at 4:00. People rave about the pimento sandwich, but I don't like pimento… I go all out and spend $3.50 on the club sandwich
H - RHINEHARTS is my best DINING recommendation. its about 3 miles from ANGC on the other side of i20 on Washington road. Its very rustic (it's a dive…), but the best fried shrimp I've ever had. It always looks crowed, but you can get in. I will eat there several nights during masters week… there's another rhineharts further out on Washington road that's less crowded and the same great food / beer… but really the restaurants along Washington road are easier to get in than you would think.
Especially the non native food… but beware… Mexican food in augusta isn't the same as tex mex in texas…
I WILL BE AT RHINEHEARTS ON SUNDAY, MONDAY, AND TUESDAY NIGHT WITH MY FRIENDS. i know. lots of fried food consumed by an old man...
I - I don't get the CHAIR thing. yes - you can buy a chair, put it down on the ropes, and leave it and not worry about losing it - but the stands are there for a reason. the best viewing is the stands. i'd avoid the chair thing…. But lots of people disagree with me…
Remember that you can sit in someone else's chair…. But they'll ask you nicely to move when they return. Just sit in another chair. Really it's a nice place….
NOTE: if it rains or storms go back and pick up your chair…. If AN decides to move all the patrons outside the inner gate (back to the concession and merchandise areas), you may NOT be able to retrieve your chair later if play doesn't resume…
J best seat / viewing at Augusta? The right side stands on #15 (last par 5 on the back). You'll see the shots into the green on 15 and the shots into 16 (par 3 my hole). Those stands are always full. but be patient. People will leave. So hang out in line and you'll get a seat… remember the stands are there for a reason… most of the best viewing is where the stands are…
K - see the entire course…. walk all of it. you may never be there again. And you'll be blown away by the slopes, size of greens, depth of bunkers, hump in the green on #6, size of green on #3, the skinny green on #7; the elevation change on #6 and #10, beauty everywhere.
Notice the design also remember the changes that have been made some good, some bad… 'all because the ball goes too far….
A few highlights:
Hole #1 note the depth of the right bunkers. Also note how far the tee box has been moved back.
Hole #2 easiest hole on the course
Hole #3 now almost driveable by many in the field. But note what's behind the green and how easy it is to hit over it.
Hole #4 brutal par 3…. Brutal green. Remember when phil hit the rail of the stands?
MAKE THE WALK TO SEE hole #5. This hole was always interesting because of the green. And it's the hole that is LEAST VISITED because of where it is…
But AN moved the tee box in 2019. The hole is longer (of course), but the tee box was moved to relieve congestion with the 4th green. And since AN owns more property (closing berkmans road), they moved the fence and found room to build a new ELEVATED tee box. We saw the construction last may when we were there for PLAYDAY… but I'm anxious to see it now that its finished. I have mixed emotions here. The congestion with people traffic from the 4th green was real. So they probably had to do it. But now they've really changed the hole to be less of a dogleft left. BEFORE they moved the tee box, the tee shot was intimidating because of the bunkers on the left side and the tree line on the right. Many people find the trees because the left bunkers are deep. Now that its straighter, I think the tee shot will be easier. I just don't think you change the routing on a great course like that….
And remember the 5th green. You must see it. Note the super large hump in the middle of the green. You will not notice this as much on TV…
Note the elevation change (visually) on #6, the par 3. But its mostly an optical delusion… it looks like its massively downhill. But it plays almost flat…
Look at #7 that green is ridiculous lots of slopes, and its tiny. The hole (#7) was designed in the early 30's to be played as a 3 iron and then a PW on to the green. Designed as a 325 yard hole with tree's crimping in towards the greens. In other words, the green was designed to accept a shot from a wedge. And the hole was designed to be a very tight driving hole hence the 3 iron. But over time, the trees continue to grow in, making the hole tighter now than before. The storm a couple of years ago thinned the tops of many trees, but there's no questions they are larger now…
#7 is now 450 yards and tighter than ever because the trees keep growing… and the green is still a postage stamp...
And yes I'm one of those old guys who thinks the ball goes too far and its ruining a lot of great golf courses around the country.
Hole #8 note how uphill the hole is. Again hard to see on TV.
#9 is another hole that's been moved way back…. I remember when every player hit their tee shot to the bottom of the hill and thru the cross walk. But note how scary the approach looks to that elevated green. That green is a 3 putt waiting to happen..
#10 no one realizes how downhill this par 4 is… its shocking to people seeing it for the first time. And you'll notice a large bunker in the middle of the fairway about 90 yards from the green. Its not really in play, but that bunker was a green side bunker before the green was moved.
#11 TEE BOX HAS BEEN MOVED (again) note the difference between the member tee and the pro tee. Its about 150 yards… beautiful hole, but a scary 2nd shot with the water on the left. Missing the green on the right isn't fun either. Unless you're larry mize…
#12 beautiful hole. The big surprise for me was realizing that the creek is concrete lined. The first time I played it, I couldn't believe the creek was lined with concrete to eliminate any risk of erosion.
#13 my favorite hole… tons of action and history. Another hole where distance has made it a very easy par 5 for the pro's. and everyone knows that AN bought land from Augusta Country Club to move the tee back.. ACC had to move a green to accommodate AN… but anything can be done when you don't care what it costs…
#14 my least favorite hote. Its easier now as they reduced the size of the hump in the green..
#15 another great hole… (ADDED LENGTH LAST YEAR)…risk / reward… note the trees on the right. They're mature now, but everyone remembers when they were planted to eliminate the Tiger effect.
Another must do for the practice rounds is #16…. make sure you see the players skip balls on #16. It always amazes me to see a great pro hit a 7 or 8 iron to 30 feet on #16... but then skip it 10 times off the pond in front of the green to 5 feet. and yes - john daly made a hole in one on 16 one year by skipping the ball. it was a practice round but the place went nuts...
John doesn't get to play the Masters anymore - but he's always in his RV selling clothes and hats in the Hooter's parking lot... go by and see him...
#17 it's a totally different tee shot now that the Eisenhower tree has been removed. It was damaged in a storm several years ago and AN had to remove it. I'm actually surprised they haven't replaced it… it's a much easier tee show now.
#18. Last hole but not least by any means. Make sure you see #18 from the tee box. Most people are shocked to see how uphill it is. But it makes sense given how downhill #10 is. And note the tightness of the shoot that the tee shot is hit thru. And note the green…. TV doesn't show the tiers in the green…
THAT'S ALL FOR THE COURSE… BACK TO A FEW SUGGESTIONS…
L WHAT TO WEAR… first watch the weather. It can be quite cool in the morning, but warm up nicely in the afternoons. Obviously wear layers…
Also I used to make fun of all the guys wearing golf shoes… and I can also remember the noise of metal spikes… but now I've changed my mind especially when it rains. Remember AN is full of slopes. (trust me if you've never been there, you will be shocked by the slopes around the green and how much of an elevated tee #10 is…)
When it rains its very slippery… ive seen lots of falls and spills over the years which is I why I think soft spikes (that are comfortable) is a good idea. But remember you'll walk a lot…
I would not carry an umbrella in. if its rains, go buy one. they're about $40 and you wanted an excuse to buy one anyway...
M - make sure you check out the driving range… I haven't been everywhere, but I've never seen anything like it…
N - autographs - lots of possibilities at the par 3 event on wednesday, but officially, the only place you're supposed to get autographs is where the players leave the driving range...and now they will utilize the new players services building and park under ground. so autographs may be more challenging....
but there's always a few kids waiting for players as they exit the 18th green and the nice pro's will usually sign...
Lastly, don't be that guy. Avoid being:
[ol]
ENJOY THE GREATEST SHOW EARTH… AND EASILY THE BEST organized and RUN…
And why do we volunteer? easy: The benefit of being a volunteer is we get to come back in may and play the course… no, we don't play the tips, and the member tees make the course very short (6300 yards). but the greens are still the greens and yes, I've putted off the green...
Happy to answer any questions…. I may start another thread just to tell stories…
Lastly if youre there for a tournament round, come by and see me. I'm on 16 on the right side of the green above the bunker. I enjoy talking to Ags every year…
