The 3 Shots I'm Most Excited for at Augusta
The shots that demand the most from a course management and scoring perspective
Hey everyone, wanted to sneak a quick post in before the Masters starts tomorrow. It’s a short one, but something I figured would be fun to read.
This isn’t a tournament preview or player analysis. That’s been written about 100 times and I personally find it boring. So I won’t be doing that.
Instead, I want to share the 3 shots that I’m most excited to watch from a course management and scoring perspective. They are the shots that I believe require the most intentional planning and perfect execution.
Let’s get into it.
1. The Approach Shot on the 13th (Azalea)
Ahh Azalea. Arguably the most beautiful hole on the course. A hole which Geoff Ogilvy referred to as the “perfect golf hole”. He’s not wrong. It’s one of the best risk reward holes in golf, and the approach shot is one of my favorites.
Let’s start with the tee shot. Players can cut the corner left and they’ll be rewarded with a much shorter approach shot into a relatively “gettable” par 5. Additionally, if they can find the left side of the fairway, they’ll be rewarded with a flatter lie, which allows them to actually go after the pin with the shot they want — which you’ll see proves to be extremely valuable on this hole.
The only problem with trying to cut the corner off the tee is that Rae’s Creek runs directly off the left side of fairway. So if the tee shot drifts slightly too far left, the ball is swimming.
If they decide to hit the safter drive off to the right, they trade one problem for another — a terribly uncomfortable lie with the ball above their feet to a green that sucks everything left towards the creek—and this is where it gets fun to watch.
The green is protected by Rae’s Creek, which wraps from the front left around to the back right. The issue is that because of the slope of the fairway, you’re pretty much forced to hit a lower draw into the green, which brings the creek heavily into play. Additionally, because the creek wraps around the back right side of the green, if a player sets up for a draw, and the ball doesn’t draw… they’re swimming.
Essentially if the player decides they want to go for it in two from the right side of the fairway, they will be forced to hit a perfect draw that lands softly.
Good luck lol.
It’s an amazing shot to watch, and one where tournaments have been won or lost.
2. The 3rd Shot from the Fairway on 15 (Firethorn)
Everyone will be talking about the 2nd shot on this par-5. And no question that’s one of the best risk-reward shots on the course. But the ones who choose to lay back are faced with one of the toughest wedge shots in golf — and I’m gonna love every second of it.
Because if you don’t go for it, it’s not just a matter of laying up to a good number. It’s laying up to a particular spot on the fairway where you have the best angle to not hit it long into the water, or short into the water…
The wedge shot from the right side is an awkward lie that runs downhill, over water, into a firm green, which makes it extremely difficult to hold. You’ve all seen clips of players catching it fat and landing in the water, or catching it slightly thin and going long. The left side of the fairway is known for giving a better angle and a more forgiving lie.
A tricky short shot which is every bit as dangerous as it is fun to watch.
3. The Approach Shot on 9 (Carolina Cherry)
It’s a straight-forward tee shot with a deceptively difficult approach shot. The hole tempts you to hit a drive down the left where the fairway opens up. The only issue with that is the green is guarded by 2 bunkers on the left which makes getting the next shot anywhere close extremely difficult to do. So most don’t go left.
If a player hits a long straight drive, they’re rewarded with a flatter lie and an easier approach. Finally.
The last option is hitting down the right side of the fairway. This allows for a much bigger window into the green on the approach. But there’s a catch. And this is the shot I will be watching.
If the player comes in from the right side, he’s forced to hit an uphill wedge shot from a downhill lie. Brutal! Additionally, it’s a tiered green. So if they come up short, they roll off. And if they go long, they’re left with one of the most difficult lag putts on the property.
Makes you thankful for your home course lol.
The approach shot is usually hit with a wedge, and it tests the player’s distance control, and spin control. Hope their grooves are clean :)
Final Takeaway
I’m sure you could make the case for any shot at Augusta and win me over. But these were the three that stuck out in my mind.
I’m curious to know what you guys think. If you have a favorite shot or hole, please share it below!
And also, happy Masters week!
Tommy
I spent most of my time on the property on Wednesday watching these exact three shots myself. You are correct about how interesting, and difficult they are.
I just rewatched the 96 event (Shark collapse, Faldo win) and you’re right, thirteen and fifteen are fantastic.