Combine a fantastic Masters Experience with playing golf at some of America's finest golf courses.
(all packages are customisable & can be booked with or without flights)
Tailor your Augusta National Experience to suit you
(all packages are customisable & can be booked with or without flights)
| Augusta |
31st March - 3rd April 2021
The Augusta National Women's Amateur (ANWA), held at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta and Champions Retreat Golf Club in nearby Evans.
The tournament is split between the two venues, with Champions Retreat hosting the opening rounds on Wednesday and Thursday with an international field of 72 women amateurs on the Island and Bluff nines. On the friday the whole field play a practice round at Augusta National after which the field is cut to the top 30 players (with a playoff for the last spots if necessary) for the final Saturday round at Augusta National.
The Augusta National Women’s Amateur Champion receives invitations to the next five ANWA's, that year's U.S. Women's Open, the Women's British Open and any USGA, R&A and PGA of America amateur championships for which she is eligible for one year, providing she remains an amateur.
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For US Masters holidays, US Masters tickets and US Masters hospitality packages, YourGolfTravel.com offers a variety of options to ensure that your Masters experience is unforgettable.
Your Golf Travel offers a host of exclusive Masters experiences to five of our handpicked locations, all within 1 hour 45 minutes of Augusta National Golf Club. Within each of these locations we are proud to offer 20 bespoke experiences which are perfect to ensure your bucket list trip to The Masters is as fantastic as it could be.
For those looking to enjoy the ultimate US Masters experience then where better to stay than Augusta itself.
Augusta is the hometown of one golf's most famous figures; Bobby Jones - not only did he design Augusta National he also co-founded the US Masters meaning that golfing greatness is all around you in Augusta. Famed for their superb proximity to the golf course, the hotels in Augusta are also surrounded by a number of incredible restaurants and buzzing bars providing you with plenty of entertainment both on and off the golf course.
Type: American, Burgers
Perfect for: Families and groups of friends
Type: American, International
Perfect for: Families, groups of friends and couples
Type: American, Casual Elegant
Perfect for: Families, groups of friends and couples
Type: Bar
Perfect for: Over 21s (groups of friends)
Type: Bar
Perfect for: Over 21s (groups of friends)
Type: Bar
Perfect for: Over 21s (groups of friends)
With both our hotels located just 15 minutes from Augusta National, they are perfect for anyone looking to get to the action early and secure a spot at one of the many all important action areas on the course.
Make your own! Tell us what you'd like and our friendly golf specialists will make it happen.
Par: 72 | Yardage: 6,947 | Opened: 1899
This is as close to the action as you can get, the par-5 8th hole actually plays over Rae's Creek, the hazard that sits in front of the 12th green at Augusta National, a stunning layout with some amazing holes. Getting a caddy is well recommended as the greens undulate in a similar fashion to it's famous next door neighbour.
Par: 72 | Yardage: 6,857 | Opened: 1968
Designed by Ellis Maples, the protege of Donald Ross (Pinehurst designer) the course lives up to the exceptional standard of courses that Augusta has become renowned for. The perfectly manicured fairways and stunning layout make it a must play for any golfers in the area.
Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,127 | Opened: 2000
Many of the game's greatest players have drawn similarities between Mount Vintage Golf Club and Augusta National. The combination of elevated tees and fairways that incorporate the natural contours of the land create a fantastic course and is one that definitely deserves its reputation as one of the best in the region.
Par: 72 | Yardage: 6,847 | Opened: 1999
Located on the banks of the Savannah River just a few minutes from the bottom of Azalea Drive and Augusta National. The holes are amongst some of the most aesthetically pleasing in Augusta with water being a recurring feature/hazard on a lot of them.
Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,344 | Opened: 2001
Set in the heart of thousands of acres of untouched pine forest, a round here is a truly stunning experience with tranquility and serenity all around. The 7,344 yards of perfectly manicured fairways create a challenging test for golfers of all abilities and is a great addition to your Masters experience.
Athens is an incredibly fascinating, historic city situated approximately 1 hour 45 minutes from Augusta National.
There is always an amazing atmosphere throughout the city during Masters week especially with it being where 2 time Masters Champion Bubba Watson honed his golfing skills at the University of Georgia. For those looking to enjoy more than just the golf during their Masters experience then Athens is perfect place as it boasts a whole host of fantastic restaurants and bars. The downtown area of the city is one of the most 'hip and happening' places in the State of Georgia with "The 40 Watt Club" being the birthplace of the world famous B - 52s and R.E.M making it a great place for any golf and music lovers to enjoy their stay. With plenty of bars and clubs, Athens is a great place for groups of friends looking to enjoy the golf during the day and the nightlife in the evening.
Type: American
Perfect for: Families and groups of friends
Type: Mediterranean
Perfect for: Families
Type: Bar and Club
Perfect for: Over 21s (groups of friends)
Type: Bar
Perfect for: Over 21s (groups of friends)
Situated right in the heart of Athens, both the hotels provide guests with fantastic access to all the best bars and restaurants.
Make your own! Tell us what you'd like and our friendly golf specialists will make it happen.
Par: 36, 36, 35 | Yardage: 10,711 (27 holes) | Opened: 2006
With 27 stunning golf holes there is no shortage of fun to be had at The Georgia Club. Designed by Denis Griffiths, the undulating greens and pristine fairways which are lined by gorgeous hardwood trees create a stunning golfing layout which everyone can enjoy.
Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,004 | Opened: 1986
Boasting a wide range of tee boxes the course is designed to accommodate golfers of all abilities from beginners to scratch handicappers. The course has previously hosted a number of US Amateur events which is testament to its high quality design and condition the course is in.
Par: 71 | Yardage: 7,258 | Opened: 1968
The University Golf Course is a stunning golf course and is where 2 times Masters champion Bubba Watson honed his golfing skills. Incorporating the rolling terrain of northeast Georgia, this par 71 Robert Trent Jones layout is widely regarded as one of the best university courses in the United States.
A buzzing and vibrant city - Columbia is South Carolina's the largest city and both of the 2 fantastic hotels we offer are just over an hour away from Augusta National.
The city is completely sport mad, not only because of its incredible proximity to the Masters but it is also home to to one of the biggest college football teams in America creating a fantastic friendly atmosphere. In addition to the brilliant accommodation, Columbia also boasts an amazing array of restaurants and bars which are perfect for both families and groups of friends to relax and enjoy some fantastic local food and a few drinks after a day at the golf.
Furthermore, there are plenty of amazing sites to see in Columbia when you are not at the golf such as the beautiful national park or for those with children the zoo is one of the city's biggest attractions.
Type: American, Western
Perfect for: Families and groups of friends
Type: Mexican
Perfect for: Families and groups of friends
Type: American Steakhouse
Perfect for: Families and groups of friends
Type: Bar and Restaurant
Perfect for: Over 21s (groups of friends)
Type: Bar
Perfect for: Over 21s (groups of friends)
Type: Irish Pub
Perfect for: Families and groups of friends
With 2 brilliant hotels and plenty of fun to be had away from the golf course, Columbia is the perfect place to enjoy a family trip to the Masters.
Make your own! Tell us what you'd like and our friendly golf specialists will make it happen.
Par: 72 | Yardage: 6,701 | Opened: 1898
The pristine 18 hole layout is one of the most beautiful in the area. The elevated tees gift golfers with spectacular views of the stunning Hinkson Creek which skirts the course. Featuring immaculate greens and some narrow fairways every aspect of golfers game is tested at Columbia Country Club.
Par: 72 | Yardage: 6,894 | Opened: 2006
Oak Hills Country Club provides a unique golfing experience with 300 acres of stunning forest surrounding the course, the picturesque scenery make it a must play in the area. The golf course has received a number of different accolades with perhaps the most notable one being when it was named in Golf Digest's "Top Places to Play".
Par: 71 | Yardage: 6,116 | Opened: 1938
Designed in 1938, the course features some of the most drastic elevation changes in the county which allows for some funky shot shaping. The course is by no means one of the modern day monsters found on the PGA Tour making it perfect for golfers of all ages and handicaps.
Par: 72 | Yardage: 6,959 | Opened: 1989
A stunning Pete & P.B. Dye design, the golf course features gently rolling fairways leading to lightning-fast greens which are well protected by water. The course is a fantastic test for the better golfing whilst still remaining forgiving enough for the higher handicapper.
Par: 72 | Yardage: 6,658 | Opened: 1974
Designed by the Russell Breeden the course features 45 bunkers and 5 water hazards which create a stunning a layout. Renowned around the state for its immaculate greens and pristine fairways, a round here is the perfect addition to your US Masters experience.
Par: 35, 36, 35 | Yardage: 9,270 (27 holes) | Opened: 1995
One of the newest clubs in the Columbia, Cobblestone Park has rapidly become one of the best. Boasting 27 holes of golf that can be played in any order, players are spoilt for choice when it comes to fantastic golfing opportunities.
A vibrant but small town located just 40 minutes from Augusta - Aiken, South Carolina was founded in 1835 and is a brilliant place to stay for those who enjoy everything the outdoors has to offer.
Its proximity to Augusta is not the only thing that makes Aiken so special, downtown Aiken boasts a fantastic arts scene with visual performers in front of every store, as well as there being a fantastic local arts fare. Surrounding the hotel is a variety of fantastic restaurants and bars which are the perfect place to sit back and soak up the wonderful atmosphere of the city following a day at the Masters. There is definitely more than just the golf to enjoy in Aiken.
Type: American, International
Perfect for: Families and groups of friends
Type: American, International
Perfect for: Families and groups of friends
Type: Italian
Perfect for: Families and groups of friends
Type: American, International
Perfect for: Families and groups of friends
Type: American, Seafood
Perfect for: Over 21s (groups of friends)
Type: American Steakhouse
Perfect for: Families, couples and groups of friends
The Holiday Inn Express is a fantastic family friendly hotel and is one of the closest hotels to Augusta National that we offer making it a brilliant option for any avid golf lovers as you are never too far away from the action.
Make your own! Tell us what you'd like and our friendly golf specialists will make it happen.
Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,352 | Opened: 2003
Boasting 2 glorious championship golf courses there is plenty of stunning golf to be played at The Reserve Club at Woodside. The headline act is the Reserve Course which was designed by Jack Nicklaus whilst the newer course Hollow Creek was designed by US Open champion Fuzzy Zoeller.
Par: 36, 36, 36 | Yardage: 3,710 / 3,605 / 3,598 | Opened: 1999
An unmissable golfing opportunity in Aiken designed by 3 of the most famous players to ever grace the fairways of Augusta National. With three nine hole courses designed by Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player this is truly a must play for any golfer in the area.
Par: 71 | Yardage: 6,713 | Opened: 1892
The golf course is a par 71 layout and plays at 6,713 yards from the championship tees. What the course may lack in length it more than makes up for with its small elevated and undulating greens, and clever bunkers. With a number of tee boxes it is a great challenge for players of all abilities.
A fantastic 5 star resort with an amazing array of state of the art facilities, the Ritz-Carlton Reynolds is the perfect for anyone looking for a high end and luxurious place to stay during the Masters.
The hotel also has a brilliant bar which serves an extensive list of wines, cocktails and spirits for you to enjoy in a lovely setting by the fire after a day at the Masters. It is not just watching the golf that guests can enjoy during their stay at the Ritz-Carlton Reynolds as the resort also has 90 glorious championship golf holes, a tennis courts, spa and a whole host of activities that can be carried out on the stunning Lake Oconee. On the whole, this a fabulous resort is in a beautiful setting and gifts guests with not only wonderful accommodation but also fantastic access to golf's biggest tournament.
Type: American, Western, International
Perfect for: Families and groups of friends
Type: American Steakhouse
Perfect for: Families and groups of friends
Type: American Western
Perfect for: Families and groups of friends
Type: American, International
Perfect for: Couples
Type: Coffee Shop
Perfect for: Families and groups of friends
Type: Bar
Perfect for: Family friendly but best for over 21s
Situated just 70 minutes from Augusta National the hotel is a fantastic option for both families and groups of friends as it boasts an amazing array of restaurants which ensure that everyone's culinary needs are catered for.
Make your own! Tell us what you'd like and our friendly golf specialists will make it happen.
Par: 72 | Yardage: 6,991 | Opened: 1986
Designed by esteemed golf architect Bob Cupp, The Landing was the first course to be built on the beautiful banks of Lake Oconee and was acquired by Reynolds Lake Oconee in 2005. Offering up stunning views and perfectly manicured fairways, the course is a must play for guests at the resort.
Par: 72 | Yardage: 6,674 | Opened: 1988
Featuring wide fairways and careful bunker placement, the Preserve Course is a more laid back golfing experience. The range of tee boxes and larger greens make it a more forgiving layout and one that can be enjoyed by golfers of all ages and experience levels.
Par: 72 | Yardage: 6,955 | Opened: 1997
Designed by Tom Fazio, the 27 hole Reynolds National Course has often been likened to Augusta National due to its long and narrow fairways which are lined by towering pines. The course is always in immaculate condition and is a fantastic examination of golfers ability.
Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,029 | Opened: 2002
Designed by Rees Jones, the course presents a golfing challenge unmatched by any other in the nation. Described by many as more of a test of a golfers mental resilience than physical capabilities, the new Jones course is risk/reward golf at its finest often forcing golfers to choose between direct tee shots over inlets of Lake Oconee and long drives down tree-lined dogleg fairways.
Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,073 | Opened: 1992
A Jack Nicklaus signature design, the Great Waters course at The Ritz Carlton Reynolds Plantation is a must play for any golfer at the resort. The course has been named as the 2nd best course in Georgia behind Augusta National on more than one occasion.
For those of us who aren't lucky enough to have booked a dream holiday to The Masters and will be watching at home, there is still a lot to cheer about with money to be won, golf to be watched and an overwhelming level of jealousy to be felt.
Without further ado, here is our guide to preparing for The Masters…
At the very top of every golfer’s bucketlist will be Play Augusta National and then directly below Attend The Masters, which is definitely a much more realistic goal.
Here is our breakdown of courses you can play near Augusta National.
Much like the World Cup, Superbowl and Wimbledon, The Masters is a standout event on the sporting calendar; its prestige, exclusivity and tradition bring in audiences beyond the world of golf.
Like a kid dreaming of lifting the Jules Rimet or playing on Centre Court, golfers of all ages dream of playing on the hallowed turf at Augusta National, but unfortunately that is all it will be…a dream.
Was The 2019 Masters Tournament the best ever?
Tiger Woods claimed his 5th Green Jacket, winning by 1 shot from Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka & Xander Schauffele. Woods' final round total of -13 included rounds of 70, 68, 67 & 70 which saw him win a Major from behind for the first time in his career. His 5th Masters title was also his 15th Major win which sees him climb to within 3 of Jack Nicklaus' record Major haul.
Woods' victory was courtesy of yet more drama on the back nine of Augusta National. Italy's Francesco Molinari held the lead through 11 holes before the par-3 12th claimed another victim as his tee-shot ended up in Rae's Creek. A birdie on the 13th saw Molinari tie for the lead once more before clipping a pine cone with his approach to the 15th which saw him find water once more.
Woods finished strongly with birdies on 13, 15 and 16 which was enough for a two-shot cushion playing the last hole. After finding himself out of position off the tee, he played short and right of the green which allowed a simple bogey and a victory which saw celebrations that Augusta National hasn't seen before. The chants of "Tiger, Tiger" certainly suggested that the crowd had got their favourite winner and the likes of Langer, Poulter, Thomas and Fowler all waiting to congratulate Tiger on his victory, suggested he was the choice of the pros as well. Following Tiger's victory in the 2019 Masters, he'll certainly be considered the golfer to beat in 2020 as he attempts to equal Jack Nicklaus' record total of 6 Masters victories.
The expectation prior to the 2018 Masters was possibly higher than ever before with so many of golf’s best players in top form, not to mention the return of Tiger Woods. Rory McIlroy was eyeing his career grand slam, Phil Mickelson was out to prove the old guard still have it and Sergio Garcia was out to defend his green jacket from last year!
It certainly wasn’t short of drama, even before the official tournament started, patrons were provided with one of the most entertaining par-3 contests ever. Not only did Jack Nicklaus watch his grandson hit an ace on the 9th hole but Tony Finau, a debutant at Augusta, also hit a hole-in-one. The drama doesn’t end there though, in his celebrations Finau dislocated his ankle and proceeded to pop it back into place and continue playing.
The first round saw Tiger Woods shoot a solid 73 while Sergio Garcia shocked the golfing world when he took 13 shots to complete the 15th hole, which he eagled last year on way to victory. The leader going into Friday was Jordan Spieth, who shot a magnificent 66 to show that his love affair with Augusta National was far from over.
As the weekend neared, Friday was yet another dramatic day with Spieth dropping shots and falling down the leaderboard while Patrick Reed zoomed to the top of the leaderboard, closely followed by Rory McIlory, Jon Rahm and even newcomers Li Hatotong and Tony Finau (yes, Tony Finau). As moving day arrived, we saw 2017 Masters champion, Sergio Garcia miss the cut, left to rue his disastrous opening day. Saturday saw golf fans realise Tiger Woods wasn’t going to be in contention and saw Patrick Reed continue at the top of the leaderboard, but closely followed by 2016 Ryder Cup foe Rory McIlory who shot a magnificent 65 to ensure he was in the final grouping on Sunday at The Masters.
Sunday at The Masters is always special and 2018 didn’t disappoint. Tiger Woods finished his Augusta comeback with a 69, to the delight of the patrons and what would be a sign of things to come as he continued to improve ahead of his Tour Championship victory in September, while Paul Casey nearly broke records with a magnificent 65, including two bogeys on 17 and 18. The main event however soon lost its edge as McIlroy started horrifically and failed to mount any real final day challenge and still chasing that career grand slam. With Reed seemingly running away with it, both Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler both did themselves justice, with the former shooting a 64 with nine birdies to show why he can never be discounted at Augusta. With a lot to do on Sunday to catch the leading pack, Fowler did just that by shooting a brilliant 67 and getting the crowd going with a strong finish, although despite beating Reed by four shots on the final day, it wasn’t to be enough as Patrick Reed was the man donning the coveted green jacket at the end of play.
The 2017 Masters was one that went right down to the wire with Spain's Sergio Garcia triumphing over England's Justin Rose in a sudden-death playoff after tieing on -9 after 72 holes. Garcia's birdie on the 1st playoff hole was enough to secure his maiden Major victory and joining the likes of Seve Ballesteros and Jose Maria-Olazabal as Spanish winners of the famed Green Jacket.
Garcia's win was a popular one, considered by many to be the best-player-never-to-have-won-a-major, the win was his 1st in 74 attempts. With 3 previous top-10's at Augusta, Garcia had shown form but many would've backed Rose who has enjoyed success in recent years at The Masters. He finished in a tie for 2nd in 2015 trying to chase a record-breaking Jordan Spieth as well as a tie for 10th in 2016 but was left to rue a missed chance in 2017 as Garcia claimed the title. The win went onto add extra significance for Sergio who named his first-daughter who was born in 2018 Azalea, the name of the 13th hole at Augusta National.
2016 saw a dramatic back nine on Sunday. Amen Corner claimed another victim as Jordan Spieth faltered with a 7 on the 150 yard par-3 12th and Yorkshire's Danny Willett claimed his first ever Major win. Willett's bogey-free final round of 67 (-5) was good enough for a 3 shot victory over Lee Westwood and Jordan Spieth. Willett became the first Englishman since Sir Nick Faldo claimed the Green Jacket in 1996.
With Paul Casey, Matthew Fitzpatrick and Justin Rose finishing in a tie for 4th, 7th and 10th respectively, 2016 was a landmark year for English golf at The Masters and looks set to continue for many years to come.
Year after year The Masters provides golf fans with the most exciting final day finishes on the golfing calendar, whilst for some 2015 was a little different as Jordan Spieth maintained his 4 shot lead for the majority of the final round, the subplots of Rose, Mickelson and even McIlroy at times provided a Masters that will live long in the memories.
Spieth went on to claim his first Green Jacket which not only saw him claim a record
equalling -18 72 hole total but also claim a number of records along the way including;
• A wire to wire victory which sees him join Craig Wood, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus
and Ray Floyd as the only Masters Champions to do so
• First player ever to reach -19 (his bogey on 18 saw him pegged back to -18 for a
tie with Tiger's scoring record)
• Most birdies scored in a Masters - 28 or 39% of holes played
• Scoring record for 36 holes
• Scoring record for 54 holes
His scores of 64, 66, 70, 70 saw him fight off the likes of Phil Mickelson, Justin Rose and pre-tournament favourite Rory McIlroy. Even the heroics of a resurgent Tiger Woods on Saturday, who wowed the Patrons with a 6-birdie round of 68, couldn't see Spieth shaken.
Having competed in two Masters Tournaments, Spieth has a record of a tie for 2nd (finishing 3 shots behind Bubba Watson in 2014) and a win, the 21-year old Texan certainly looks like he'll be adding yet more Green Jackets to his wardrobe during the course of his career.
The Masters, it seems, never fails to deliver and in all likelihood will be the tournament to watch.
The Masters was started by Clifford Roberts and Bobby Jones, who designed Augusta National with legendary course architect Alister MacKenzie, but at first one of the world's most famous and beautiful golf courses was nothing more than 365 acres of simple farming land. Due to the foresight of Bob Jones and Clifford Roberts, Fruitlands Nurseries purchased the land for $70,000 in 1931 and it is now home to the revered Augusta National Golf Course.
After the course was completed, its creators came up with the idea of organizing an annual tournament drawing all the best players from across the world. For the first five years of the tournament, it was called the Augusta National International Tournament but in 1939, its name changed to The Masters.
In line with the other majors, winning the Masters gives a golfer several privileges which make his career more secure. Masters champions are automatically invited to play in the other three majors (the U.S. Open, The Open Championship, and the PGA Championship) for the next five years, and earn a lifetime invitation to the Masters. They also receive membership on the PGA Tour for the following five seasons and invitations to The Players Championship for five years. In 2015 the prize fund was US$10 million.
European players collected eleven victories in twenty years in the 1980s and 1990s, by far the strongest streak they have had in any of the three majors played in the United States since the early days of the U.S Open. Jack Nicklaus became the oldest player to win the Masters in 1986 when he won for the sixth time at age 46. In 1997, headlines were made around the world when Tiger Woods won the Masters by twelve shots at age twenty-one. Jose Maria Olazabal was the last European to win the Masters in 1999.
Like many other courses, Augusta National's championship set-up has been lengthened in recent years. In 1998, it measured approximately 6,925 yards from the Masters tees but in 2006 it was almost 500 yards longer at 7,445 yards. As well as the course being extended, the teeing positions have been altered. Some experts predict that Augusta may now play as many as three shots more following the changes, which would be approved by Jones and Roberts, whose vision was to challenge the best players in the game of golf.
Augusta National Golf Club is home to what many view as the world's greatest golf course so it is rather fitting that the course, which admittedly has seen many changes throughout its history, was originally designed by the illustrious duo of the world's greatest golfer at the time, Bobby Jones, as well as the game's preeminent course architect, Dr Alister MacKenzie.
Influences and Early Beginnings
Considering the love both Jones and MacKenzie had for the St Andrews Old Course, it is hardly surprising that Augusta's original layout was heavily influenced by the traditional links courses of the UK & Ireland. In fact, Mackenzie took specific design characteristics from specific holes from such courses, with a handful even thought to be almost direct replicas.
From a design standpoint, many of them have rendered the course in its current guise, from a design standpoint at least, almost unrecognisable when compared to Jones and Mackenzie's original layout.
Originally, both Jones and Dr. Alister MacKenzie believed in creating holes which demanded keen attention to strategy from the player's perspective, with an array of angles from which the hole could be approached. This notion still rings true at Augusta and while there are certainly advantages to being able to hit specific portions of fairways and greens with acute precision, the course does offer a much different challenge to the one devised by the original architects.
Changes to The Original Design
Only two holes on the course have remained the same length – the 6th has actually been shortened ever so slightly – and while some have only seen small increases in length, holes such as the par 5 8th have been stretched by up to 26%!
The design features on many holes have changed too, with a long list of course architects including the likes of Perry Maxwell, George Cobb Jack Nicklaus & Tom Fazio having been commissioned to update the course at various stages in the past.
While the overall length and the challenges the course presents have changed significantly since Augusta's early days, one thing remains the same: the main challenges here lie in wait on and around the amazing green complexes which haven't been radically changed over the years.
"The greens have basically remained the same," said Jack Nicklaus, winner of a record 6 Green Jackets. "They're very much the same greens that Jones and MacKenzie had,"
With huge slopes and drastic undulations featured on each and every one, the extent of which you simply have to see in person to understand, player's short games, as well as their ability to keep the ball below the hole with their approach shots is of paramount importance when playing at Augusta.
Tiger Proofing following wins for Woods 1997 and 2001 Of course, such is the magnitude and sheer volume of changes that have been made to Augusta National over the years, it would be impossible to not them all. So we've tried as best we can to give a general overview of how Augusta has changed throughout the years, and how the challenge the players face today compares with the one Jones and MacKenzie originally laid down.
While the overall yardages of Augusta National have changed greatly over the years, most notably when the course was "Tiger-Proofed" following the 2001 Masters (Tiger won again in 2002 which begs the question: Why would you lengthen a course to give the field a better chance against the longest hitter at the time?), as well as the historic design features first laid down by Bobby Jones and Dr Alister MacKenzie, one thing has remained largely constant; the green complexes.
"The greens have basically remained the same," said Jack Nicklaus in an interview with Golf.com. "They're very much the same greens that Jones and MacKenzie had," which is a good thing as the greens and their notorious run-offs give Augusta its identity, at least from a playing perspective.
Another aspect of the course they've left largely untouched is Amen Corner, the most iconic part of the course.
Away from 11, 12 & 13, the course has seen some drastic changes in places and while Nicklaus maintains that the landing spots – whether that be in the fairway or on the greens – that Jones picked out as the premium places from which you play your next shot have remained largely the same over the years, he does intimate that there is more of a premium on straighter driving.
"Augusta was always a course that tests length, accuracy, and putting, and it still is. Now, it tests accuracy more than it used to. If the course had stayed the same, they'd be shooting lights out", said Nicklaus.
How have they created a demand for straighter hitting?
Quite simply, on many holes they have planted huge numbers of trees, reshaped / repositioned bunkers and pinched the fairway in.
The Par 4 1st for example, historically measured 400 yards, and now stretches to 455 to accommodate the modern golf ball and the modern athletic golfer. In 1972 and 2006, additional trees were added to the hole flanking the fairway to punish more errant tee shots, and in 2002, the bunker on the right of the fairway was advanced 15 yards further up the hole to further tighten the landing area.
Further examples of the use of additional trees and tighter fairways, two features that support Nicklaus' notion that you must drive the ball straighter at Augusta in the modern era, can be found at the Par 47th which in its formative years, featured a generous fairway and very few trees to speak of. These days the hole is a full 110 yards longer and mighty trees line each side of the fairway, placing a real premium on an accurate tee shot.
Like the 7th, the par 4 17th, both very similar holes visually, has seen plenty of new trees added to tighten the tee shot up. In its formative years the hole almost looked like a driving range such was the sparseness of trees, but following tweaks in 1999 and 2006, the hole is now flanked by towering pines, with the tee having also been moved 40 yards further back.
Another fine example comes in the form of the Par 4 18th which has seen plenty of trees planted along the left hand side, as well as the bunkers which the players now see looming large in the distance as they line up their tee shots. These were added in 1967 whereas previously players could bail out to the left.
As we can see, the changes at Augusta National are eternally ongoing and while they are overdone from time to time – when Zach Johnson won with a score of +1 in 2007, many observed that with the birdies and eagles all but dried up, The Masters had lost some of its verve – on the most part they keep the world's greatest relevant to the modern game.
Masters Tickets can be applied for via The Masters Tournament website. They are now sold out and no longer available for 2020.
The Masters Tournament Tickets cost $75 per day for Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday's Practice Days. The Tournament Days of Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday are $115 per day. The tournament is a sell-out and the ballot is closed for tickets.
Firstly, you need to register on The Masters Tournament website, be over 21 years old and only 1 application is allowed per household. The ballot for tickets is highly competitive with people waiting decades for tickets.
Playing Augusta National is just a dream for most but there are some great courses nearby, West Lake Country Club and The River Club are within 15 minutes from Augusta while The Oconee, The National, The Preserve, The Landing and Great Waters at Reynolds Lake Oconee are just an hours drive away.
Whilst many golfers stay in Augusta itself for The Masters, there are many great locations within easy reach. Aiken in South Carolina is around 30 minutes away, whilst Columbia, also in South Carolina is around 60 minutes from Augusta National. Other options include Athens in Georgia which is around 90 minutes drive from Augusta.
Mobile phones and other electronic devices are strictly prohibited on the grounds at all times. Cameras are permitted during practice round days but not during the tournament rounds.
Masters chairs are sold in the merchandise tent but you can bring your own collapsible chair that does not have armrests. Something that is uniqiue to The Masters is the fact that you can place your chair next to a green or tee box and leave it, that is your position secured for the day.
The 84th edition of The Masters Tournament will take place between Monday 6th and Sunday 12th April 2020. The actual tournament will take place between Thursday and Sunday with practice days organised for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday which is also when the traditional Par-3 Tournament takes place.
The exact tee-times and gate opening / closing times will be released nearer the date.
