Which tees would you play at Augusta?

[Tom Huckaby]

Patrick:

It's systemic if one wants to do this all the time, every round, no matter the course.  That's not what any of us are saying.

All I said is I'd like to give those back tees a try, that's all.  And I gave many caveats to this.

As for the rest, well I guess "emulate" was a poor choice of words.  Of course I can't emulate Tiger Woods et al unless given a rocket launcher and some nerve transplants.  What I meant was at that course, having seen the Masters so many times, well... it would be fun to play the tees they played, just to make a fair comparison.  Of course I'd do this fully-knowing I'd be very lucky to score in double digits; but it would be fun to give it a try.  

Like I said many times before though, it's just at Augusta that I'd feel this way.  I've played many other quite famous courses and have had no tee ego whatsoever.  Hell I'll play any tees.  All I am saying is I'd like to give the tips at Augusta a try, just once.  I'd be ecstatic to play any tees there, and of course would do whatever the hell my host said.  But if a chance was given to try the tips, I'd take it.

TH

[tonyt]

I'm a mid teen handicap player of average mid teen distance.

Lets use #11 for this discussion, and lets assume I'm hitting it ok for the day.

Members tee: Driver, then mid to long iron at the green, or maybe my hybrid if I don't truly catch it. Exciting to play the second shot there with the pond and all its history.

Masters tee: Driver, 3 wood, pitch from 50-80 yards short of the green. Why would I want to waste my only game there playing that hole at 500 yards and not having the water in play? That is, unless I hit my second shot out of position and had an awkward third.

There are more guys on this website than will admit it that wouldn't find the pond on #11 reachable in two with driver and 3 wood. So what is the point?

[Patrick_Mucci]

Patrick:

It's systemic if one wants to do this all the time, every round, no matter the course.  That's not what any of us are saying.
I'm aware of what you're saying, and I'm saying that play a golf course that's beyond your ability is systemic in golf in the U.S.

There's a reason that a BIG sign exists on the first tee at Bethpage.

All I said is I'd like to give those back tees a try, that's all.  And I gave many caveats to this.

As for the rest, well I guess "emulate" was a poor choice of words.  Of course I can't emulate Tiger Woods et al unless given a rocket launcher and some nerve transplants.  What I meant was at that course, having seen the Masters so many times, well... it would be fun to play the tees they played, just to make a fair comparison.  Of course I'd do this fully-knowing I'd be very lucky to score in double digits; but it would be fun to give it a try.

It's only fun in the context of typing at your computer.
From all the way back you wouldn't have a fun time.
You and just about everyone else on this site isn't a PGA Tour caliber player.  And, if PGA Tour caliber players can't handle the golf course, noone else can..

As an example, # 18, dogleg right, up hill, 460 yards, narrow chute off the tee, awkward lie in the fairway is so beyond your ability and everyone elses ability that I have to ask, why would you want to play at ANGC and NOT enjoy yourself.

Years ago, I went scuba diving in the ocean.  It was 20 years since I had scuba dived regularly.  When I put the gear on and got into the water, I knew I was ill equiped to dive, so I took the gear off and chose to snorkel instead.  To this day I believe that that act of discretion saved my life.  It's the same with challenging ANGC from the Masters tees, you're in over your head, and once submerged, you can't save yourself.

Like I said many times before though, it's just at Augusta that I'd feel this way.  I've played many other quite famous courses and have had no tee ego whatsoever.  Hell I'll play any tees.  All I am saying is I'd like to give the tips at Augusta a try, just once.  I'd be ecstatic to play any tees there, and of course would do whatever the hell my host said.  But if a chance was given to try the tips, I'd take it.

I think you'd find that you had a more enjoyable experience, one that would let you relate to the golf course by playing the members tees, but, if you want to acquire your red badge of courage, vis a vis a futile attempt, I understand that, but, in the end, you'd be beat up and would walk away with the battle scars and little else.

Now, If you were there for two days I'd agree with trying it once

[Matthew Mollica]

An amazing collection of answers here. As I thought I'd see.

Brownie points to those who said either - "you play the tees the host plays", or "you play the tee of the day" or "you can't play the Masters tees". All technically correct. And against the spirit of this question.

Tom H - you make a valid claim for wanting to exxperience the tournament tees.

I expected many to say "Gimme the back tees", even though they would be destroyed from back there. The fact that many cannot appreciate what those tees are suited to 100 pro golfers (or less) disapoints me.

Surely, as TonyT says, you choose the tees which give you the shots into those greens which best equates with what pro's experience?

Matthew

[Tom Huckaby]

Patrick:

Well-reasoned, well-said.

Doesn't invalidate any part of what I said, but it was well-stated.

 

Because you conveniently overlook all of these things that I already stated:

1.  I fully-understand that I'd get my butt kicked, and would be happy to return a score in double-digits.  Yes I would find that fun, for the ONE TIME that I'd give it a try.  I've made it very clear I'd only want, or need, to do it once.  It would be a very fun comparison, a futile effort for sure, but fun to try.  And last I checked, they don't guillotine you if you fail to break 100, and golf is not life and death as scuba diving might be.  

2.  It's assumed I'm not playing just one round there, and it's also assumed I'm doing whatever the hell my host tells me to do.

 

Matthew:  I absolutely appreciate that I'd be destroyed from the back tees, and I fully understand they are intended only for the best of the best.  That's why I'd NEVER make a big issue of it when I was there.  But if I had an opportunity to give them a try, why not do it?  What's the harm?  Sure, there would be par 4s I might not be able to reach, and I'd be hitting WAY more club into every hole than the pros.  Driving is part of the game and for this exercise AND THIS EXERCISE ONLY, I don't want to wear the training wheels and get put at a place where I can hit 7 iron where Tiger does... what good does that do me?  I know full well he's way way way better even if we hit the same clubs... and what does that accomplish?  A comparison of my approach play to his?  I find no thrill in that.  I lose every time no matter what we do.

Look, if I ever get to play Augusta, I hope I get several rounds and of course in terms of fun based on SUCCESS (that is, a chance to return a good score), I'd need to play 6200 yards or less.  I know that.  But I also would find a very masochistic fun in trying those back tees, seeing what I would do from them, for just one round.  It's just a curiousity... and even though I'd likely shoot 100+, I know I'd enjoy it.

Then I'd move myself back to the members tees and try to make some pars and birdies.

TH

[Eric Franzen]

A friend of mine played it yesterday morning.

7:50 AM start time on the 10th. Some practise swings, a quick hello to the caddy and straight into Amen Corner for his first round of the season.

You were only allowed to go from the members tees. He, a very decent three handicap, wasn't close to breaking 90.

Give or take a bunch of shots because of off season rust, lack of sleep, being nervous etc. He confessed that he still would have a lot of work left on (and besides...) the greens.

And of course... he still enjoyed every second of it.

[Tom Huckaby]

Eric:

There are lots of stories like that from the media day play o the day after the Masters.  The result is darn near always like that of your friend - didn't break 90, shot 130, whatever.

There is absolutely no doubt the course is a monster and would kick anyone's butt sideways.  Hell it does it to tour pros from time to time.

To me that's accepted and a given.

And I'd still want to give the back tees a try, just once.

TH

[Eric Franzen]

And just to contradict that... I should have told you about another friend who played it in 97 or 98.
Back then you could chose to play from Masters tee if you wanted too.

He (not a long hitter) and then a 13 or 12 handicaper ended up with a score of 95 shots. Quite impressive in my eyes.

Moral of the story: I have no idea. I am hungry and would die for some mexican food delivered to my office right now...

 

[Glenn Spencer]

Don't know if I can trust this info., but my 88-year old grandmother told me that Knox (Augusta member) shot 73 as a marker on Sunday. This was the same score as his playing partner Sergio Garcia. I think this settles the debate as to where someone should play, if allowed to.

[Mike Benham]

It's only fun in the context of typing at your computer.
From all the way back you wouldn't have a fun time.
You and just about everyone else on this site isn't a PGA Tour caliber player.  And, if PGA Tour caliber players can't handle the golf course, noone else can..

For many of us, we couldn't handle the golf course at the members tees with the rough, slope / speed of the greens and elevation change as set-up for tournament play.  

[Jason Mandel]

Don't know if I can trust this info., but my 88-year old grandmother told me that Knox (Augusta member) shot 73 as a marker on Sunday. This was the same score as his playing partner Sergio Garcia. I think this settles the debate as to where someone should play, if allowed to.

Glenn,

I believe it.  I watched some footage of him playing on Saturday and they said he was taking it to Furyk for a while  .  I don't know if we can go by using him as the standard, he's probably a +2 or +3 and has probably played Augusta hundreds of times.

Jason

EDIT: I just checked Jeff Knox's handicap via ghin, as I thought, Jeff is a +2.5 handicap, member of Peachtree, Augusta Country Club, and Augusta National!!! Not too shabby.

I think he's also a pretty accomplished amateur.

EDIT 2:I also found this on Knox.
The 42-year-old Knox, an area businessman believed to be the club's youngest member, has acquitted himself at the top amateur level and has won the Azalea Amateur. He holds the course record from the member tees, a 61, and has played in the Masters as a non-competing marker.

[Glenn Spencer]

Nice work Jason!!!!!!!!

Thanks for that. Obviously, the man is a gun, to say the least. So, the golf course is playing as hard as it can-for the most part, and this guy shoots 73 looking in to the barrel of Jim Furyk and all those fans. I will add a twist to a line of Ray Floyds' "I will play anyone I don't know", I will say, I will play the same tees that ANY amateur shot 73 from.

[Mark Arata]

I would be happy to play it from anywhere I was told, but I would prefer playing it from the member's tees. 7400 yards is too much for my game, and I would think I would have a more realistic chance of playing similar shots to greens that the pros play from the members tees than I would from the back.

For most of the people that play non-professional golf, reaching any of the par 5's in 2 from the back tees would be impossible. But pulling off 2 of your best shots to reach 13 from the member's tee would/should be a thrill for anyone.

I will make one exception though, and it was the same one I made when playing TPC Sawgrass...on 12, I want to play from where the pros play, because I can hit that shot with something in my bag. Just like I played 17 at TPC from in front of the hedges....I would play 12 and 16 at Augusta from the pro tee. I get more of a thrill playing the holes that I know I have a chance on then trying to play 585 hard par 5's when I cant hit the ball more than 250 on my best drive.

That's my opinion, though I could be wrong.......and often am, or so my wife tells me.......

[Glenn Spencer]

Mark,

I don't think you are wrong at all. I would want that feeling 18 times though, instead of just 2. That is what that place is all about.

[Mark Arata]

If I could only play it once, I would want to enjoy it more than just hitting driver, 3 wood all day long....If given the chance to play multiple rounds there, then I wouldnt mind seeing what I could do from the back. (over under would be 108, and I wouldnt bet the under....)

The problem to me is that too many people try to measure their games to players that are in another world talent wise, and who devote 60+ hours a week to their game. It isnt realistic, and I think it takes away some enjoyment from the game. I got a huge thrill hitting onto 17 at TPC from the back tee. Why? Because it was a realistic chance to see what I could do on hole that the pros play. I saw a few guys reach the 9th at Sawgrass in two during the tourney. I hit driver 3 wood 3 wood 5 iron and was still short. I have no chance to simulate that hole, so I would rather try to play it from a fair distance and see if I could make my par. (and you can probably figure out I didnt by the club descriptions)

[Tom Huckaby]

Mark:

My assumption is I have multiple cracks at it and just try the tips once, for masochistic thrill.

You're right, drivers and 3woods all day is not fun.

BUT... a direct comparison with the Masters participants would be, even if that is the result.

That's the key here.  What's the harm of giving it a go once?

TH

[Mark Arata]

Tom/Glenn

I supposed the standard answer of "by height" would apply here

I agree with your positions, regarding more than one play, and would be more than happy to try it out should anyone have early and late tee time available.....members in the morning, masters in the afternoon........12 hours notice and I am there

[Tom Huckaby]

How do you measure yourself against other golfers?

 

We're on the same page, Mark.  And hell yes, if it's causing anyone to wait on me, I move my ass back up where I belong.

But given an empty course, and a free reign, one shot out of several cracks at the course... I can't resist the temptation.

One doesn't lay up on 16 CPC, right?

TH

[Glenn Spencer]

Mark,

I don't know you or your game. I would take the under on 108 though- just a feeling. I am guessing though, that if you hit 2 good shots, you would be able to get to all the par 4's at Augusta- sans 11 maybe or 18. Why not give yourself that opportunity? I think that you are (to some degree) making Tom and I's point for us, if you say that you will hit 3 wood for your second all day. I don't know if that would be prudent out there. I am missing the logic of not playing the back tees, because you can't get to one or two holes in reg. What is the big deal. I can get to all those holes, but I might hit the trees out of the chutes on both holes. This would not stop me in the slightest. No.1 at Canterbury, I hit the tree and dropped straight down, 40 yards from the tee, so what? 5-iron to fairway and I am hitting a second from the supposed proper position. Not saying that I would shoot either, but I would feel more gratification in an 80 from the back, opposed to a 72 from 6100 yards.

[Mark Arata]

I would like to think that I could do better a double on every hole, but I dont hit the ball that far, or that straight off the tee, and I would think there would be enough pressure to just hit the greens in reg, let alone in the right spots, with woods, hybrids, and long irons all day long. After all, as much fun as it is to get to the green, the real challenge starts once you get on the green there.

I have never been to ANGC, but I have seen enough pictures and watched enough TV to bet that a lot of people, myself included, would have a tough time breaking 90 if placed on every green in reg but on the worst possible spot on the green. That, to me, would be fun challenge. I know I cant hit it as far as the pros, but anyone can have a go at putting, it would be cool to try and 2 putt from the worst spots on each hole.

[Tom Huckaby]

Mark - play from the back tees and you're gonna get your wish on the greens a lot of the time... think about it... any green you hit from far away, you're damn likely to end up in the worst spot, or close to it!


TH

[David Kelly]

Mark - play from the back tees and you're gonna get your wish on the greens a lot of the time... think about it... any green you hit from far away, you're damn likely to end up in the worst spot, or close to it!

The point is moot.  The day he schleps that game on to the hallowed grounds of Augusta is the day I retreat to my fallout shelter.

[Tom Huckaby]

Mark - play from the back tees and you're gonna get your wish on the greens a lot of the time... think about it... any green you hit from far away, you're damn likely to end up in the worst spot, or close to it!

The point is moot.  The day he schleps that game on to the hallowed grounds of Augusta is the day I retreat to my fallout shelter.

 
I'd say the same about myself... and a lot of others I know from this forum!

TH

[David Kelly]

I'd say the same about myself... and a lot of others I know from this forum!

No I definitely deserve the honor and anyone who knows me will tell you that.  Him? Not so much.

[Glenn Spencer]

David- hilarious

I would feel comfortable about my game, but for my dress I would have to consult Jordan Wall before schlepping my act out to Augusta!!