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Masters: Top Ten holes at Augusta

Written by  Tim Pettifer on Sunday, 10 April 2011
When asked about which is their favourite hole at Augusta, many of the pros will umm and ah. It is so difficult to choose and the common response is 'I love them all'. The course is so beautiful, diverse and challenging. It would be difficult to choose between them in terms of quality so here are the highlights, showing some of the holes the great course has to offer.


Number one hole_11_Augusta White Dogwood - 11th Par: 4 – 505 yards
SI: 3
Average Score: 4.29

The start of Amen Corner brings one of the hardest and most redesigned holes on the course. In 2006 the hole was extended by 15 yards with added trees on the right and left for a tighter fairway. An accurate draw is required off the tee and a long carry over the green-side pond makes the second shot even tougher. This hole requires real accuracy to come away unscathed.
Number two Hole_12_Augusta Golden Bell - 12th Par 3 - 155 yards
SI: 16
Average Score: 3.30

The shortest hole on the course and the most famous par three in golf is the tricky cornerstone of Amen Corner. Rae's Creek has claimed many a victim and protects this narrow eight-foot deep green which is protected by three bunkers. Club selection varies and can range from a six to nine iron depending on the swirling winds. This hole can see an amateur like myself make a par or a pro like Tom Weiskopf shoot a 13 as he did in 1980.
Number three Hole_13_Augusta Azalea - 13th Par 5 – 510 yards
SI: 17
Average Score: 4.80

This is a typical risk / reward par five which is crucial to hit in two if you are making a charge for the green jacket on Sunday. The hole was lengthened in 2002 by 25 yards making this feat even more challenging. A draw is required off the tee for the best placement on this dogleg left and Rae's Creek meanders just in front of the green to catch any short falls. The green itself is a monster four-tier surface which is easy to three putt. This hole produced the shot of the tournament last year from Phil Mickelson who, after a pushed tee shot, managed to find the green off pine needles through two trees.
Number four Hole_18_Augusta Holly - 18th Par: 4 – 465 yards
SI: 6
Average Score: 4.30

The most iconic finishing holes in golf the 18th has witnessed many memorable scenes of joy and jubilation. This uphill dogleg right was extended by 55 yards in 2002 requiring a very accurate drive or carry of at least 335 yards to clear the bunkers. The extended double-bunker complex on the elbow of the hole has a huge lip making a second shot at the two-tiered green almost impossible. That is unless you are Sandy Lyle who famously became the first Englishman to win with a superb shot to win in 1988.
Number five Hole_4_Augusta Flowering Crabapple - 4th Par 3 – 240 yards
SI: 4
Average Score: 3.29

This tough par three was made even tougher in 2006 when it was extended by 35 yards. A long accurate iron shot from a raised tee needs to avoid the two bunkers surrounding the green, which aggressively slopes towards you. The hole can be conquered as demonstrated by Jeff Sluman's ace in 1992.
Number six Hole_1_Augusta Tea Olive - 1st Par 4 – 445 yards
SI: 6
Average Score: 4.23

This is a very daunting tee shot to start such an important tournament. The slight dogleg right requires an accurate 300-yard carry over the fairway bunker. This is made more difficult for shorter hitters when the tee was extended by 20 yards in 2006 and extra trees added to the left-hand side. If you come up short of the bunker you face tough uphill second shot at a difficult undulating green that has even seen the likes of Mickelson walk away with a triple bogey in the past.
Number seven Hole_16_Augusta Redbud - 16th Par: 3 – 170 yards
SI: 9
Average Score: 3.16

The 16th tee shot is played entirely over water, which rarely comes into play. The green is defended by three deep bunkers but the huge contour is its main defence. The fast downward slope from right to left means you must be level or above the hole to stand any chance of two putting. We have seen many balls moonwalk around this green including Woods' heart-stopping chip in to win the title in 2005. A nail-biting hole for the leaders on Sunday.
Number eight Hole_17_Augusta Nandina - 17th Par 4 – 440 yards
SI: 10
Average Score: 4.16

Ike's tree is one of the most famous landmarks on the course, named in tandem with a pond, after President Eisenhower. By avoiding Ike from the tee, which was extended by 15 yards in 2006, the second shot is crucial into the three-tiered rock hard green defended by two bunkers.
Number nine Hole_10_Augusta Camelia - 10th Par 4 – 495 yards
SI: 1
Average Score: 4.23

This is statistically the hardest hole on the course requiring a skillful hook off the tee which was extended by ten yards and moved further to the left in 2002. This undulating hole has a huge drop from tee to green with trees and bunkers that are placed to catch any wayward or over hit shots.
Number ten Hole_2_Augusta Pink Dogwood - 2nd Par 5 – 575 yards
SI: 16
Average Score: 4.80

This is the longest hole on the course including its 30-yard 1999 extension. This means players love to try and get there in two, using a slight draw off the tee to avoid the fairway bunker and set up the second shot. This is no easy feat and the bunkers guarding the green often come into play. Sir Nick Faldo holed a 100-yard putt for birdie here proving it's worth getting there in two.
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Tim Pettifer

Tim Pettifer

Tim takes overall responsibility for running The Oxfordshire Golf Club and Hotel. Tim was invited to become the General Manager at The Oxfordshire by Paul Gibbons after being scouted out by one of Paul's working associates.

He is a valuable, hardworking member of the Leaderboard team, who enjoys his role and takes great pride in the growth of the brand.

On a personal level, Tim finds particular satisfaction in seeing the hotel becoming busier and enjoys engaging with the members, while ensuring they get the best possible service during their time at the Oxfordshire.

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