Tiger's Notes on Every Hole at ANGC

[Benjamin Litman]

Courtesy of the official Masters website: http://www.masters.com/en_US/news/articles/2016-04-04/tigers_tour_of_augusta_national_hole_by_hole.html


Although I'm only two holes in, I'd say it's a pretty good reflection of his passion for and understanding of GCA.

[Thomas Dai]

Interesting stuff.


The number of times he doesn't hit driver from the tee is a bit surprising and the clubs he mentions selecting for his approach shots would seem to indicate how short a 7,500 yds or thereabouts course plays for the very top echelon player.


Atb

[Michael Blake]

Thanks for posting.

Not architecture related but I liked this:

"When I think back to all of the Masters I’ve played, several favorite spots come to mind. I put the tee box at No. 13 at the top of the list. Why? In my early days at Augusta National, I remember hearing one of the coolest sounds in all of golf — the distinctive tone of a persimmon club head striking the ball. You’re back there all by yourselves — just players and caddies — and that sound among the pines was one of the sweetest I’ve ever heard."

[jeffwarne]

Thanks for posting.

Not architecture related but I liked this:

"When I think back to all of the Masters I’ve played, several favorite spots come to mind. I put the tee box at No. 13 at the top of the list. Why? In my early days at Augusta National, I remember hearing one of the coolest sounds in all of golf — the distinctive tone of a persimmon club head striking the ball. You’re back there all by yourselves — just players and caddies — and that sound among the pines was one of the sweetest I’ve ever heard."

Thanks Benjamin


Michael,
Watch the '86 replay.
That's one of the best parts of it-especially Seve and Norman.
I also quibble with those who said they didn't go after the ball with the smaller wooden heads-those players ripped at it.
Even Smoth Sam Snead rips at it at age 75 in the opening


I know I'm a luddite but I just don't think the game is better (for anybody) with the modern equipment-to say nothing of the ridiculous added real estate and expense of clubs.
There were plenty of blade alternatives in 1986 (I played with a mid 70's vintage LYNX set this weekend-as forgiving irons as anything out there now-and the woods were very solid)
(If you must)Keep the oversize titanium woods for beginners and those who play in no events (a majority)


Of course if ANGC expands that area for 27 million who knows what's going back there

[David_Tepper]

Benjamin -

Thanks for the link. Excellent analysis of the course.

DT 

[Mark Bourgeois]

Benjamin -

Thanks for the link. Excellent analysis of the course.

DT

+1

Jeff, how interesting Tiger chooses the spot farthest from fans, a spot devoid of humanity save for a cameraman and the groups passing through.

And re Tiger's comments about the fairway bunker on 1, referencing our discussion a few years ago: as if we needed it, proof the powers that be screwed up its new location, ie zero decisions to be made. Plain ol' penal, no strategery.

[jeffwarne]

Benjamin -

Thanks for the link. Excellent analysis of the course.

DT

+1

Jeff, how interesting Tiger chooses the spot farthest from fans, a spot devoid of humanity save for a cameraman and the groups passing through.

And re Tiger's comments about the fairway bunker on 1, referencing our discussion a few years ago: as if we needed it, proof the powers that be screwed up its new location, ie zero decisions to be made. Plain ol' penal, no strategery.

Mark,
as kids we used to watch #13 tee shots from a hole in the fence at ACC (wonder how that got there-annually).
Then one day a bunch of kids got to fooling around and made too much noise and that was the end of that

[Scott Warren]

He mentions DL3 holing a chip at 16 in 1999 that was similar to his in the final round of 2005. I don't suppose anyone has a link to a video of that?

[Kevin_Reilly]

Googling "davis love augusta chip"

https://youtu.be/Q3h3VdAB-iI

[David_Tepper]

Kevin R. -

Nice find!

DT

[Mark Pearce]

Fascinating how often he talks about how previous champions played certain holes.  Not only is it clear that he really thought about how to play holes but also that he made sure to talk to other great players about how best to play holes.

[Scott Warren]

Googling "davis love augusta chip"

https://youtu.be/Q3h3VdAB-iI

Thank you!

[Peter Pallotta]

Thanks, Benjamin. A very good read.

Re the 13th: Mark B mentions the isolation that Tiger seeks; I think it is the history and sensations of golf (persimmon, and its sound) that he loves.  If under the layers of driven celebrity athlete resides the heart of a poet/artist, it is there in the implements and sounds and history of the game where it is found.

Re understanding golf architecture/strategy: to paraphrase a line from Citizen Kane -  "To strategy on my terms.  Those are the only terms anybody understands...his own."

[Joe Hancock]

Re understanding golf architecture/strategy: to paraphrase a line from Citizen Kane -  "To strategy on my terms.  Those are the only terms anybody understands...his own."

Real life application; a recent exchange on a golf course somewhere:

Player A: "You have too much club."
Player B: "Just watch."


I bet Tiger said stuff like that to Stevie all the time, back in the day...except Stevie probably said "you don't have enough club".

[Peter Pallotta]

Joe - it reminds me of the story Lee Trevino tells about visiting Butch Harmon in Morocco in the 1970s, when the latter was serving as personal instructor to King Hassan II.  The King wanted to play a round with Lee, and as the round begins he graciously offers -- since he knows the course so well -- to "suggest" the club Lee should hit for every shot. Lee gives Butch a look, and Butch leans in and whispers "You'd better hit whatever the King tells you to hit".  So for the rest of the round, Lee recounts, and accepting whatever club the King offered, he was shutting the blade way closed to hit low hooking 7 irons 210 yards and opening the blade way up to hit high fading 4 irons 140 yards.   (You would've fit right in!)

Peter

[BCrosby]

Peter -


There is a similar story about Christy O'Conner at a European Tour event in the '60's. He was hitting practice balls before his round when someone from the gallery pointed out to his friends that he too could hit his 7i 150 yards. So Christy, over-hearing the comment, proceeded to hit every club in his bag 150 yards.


I love that story.


Bob 

[Dave McCollum]

Variation of a Ben Hogan tale about playing a round at Shady Oaks with a guy who had begged for years to play a round with him.  Ben hits one to six feet on a par 3.  Guy says “Great shot, what did you hit?”  Hogan shoves the club in his bag, pulls another, and hits it six feet. Repeats with a 3rd club and says “Don’t ever ask me that again.”

[Peter Pallotta]

Variation of a Ben Hogan tale about playing a round at Shady Oaks with a guy who had begged for years to play a round with him.  Ben hits one to six feet on a par 3.  Guy says “Great shot, what did you hit?”  Hogan shoves the club in his bag, pulls another, and hits it six feet. Repeats with a 3rd club and says “Don’t ever ask me that again.”

Great golfer, fascinating man, inspiring journey of grace and perseverance -- but always a little touchy.  Plus: for a man of few words and little wasted movement, you'd think just saying "6 iron" would've been easier.

Peter   

PS - after just buying a missing 8 iron from ebay, I now have not one but two sets of Hogan blades that I can't hit and have no business playing: the Tom Kite US Open win era Hogan Grinds (2-E) and the Justin Leonard Open win era Hogan Apex  Muscle Backs (3-E).  Both lovely in their way, though the Apex are easier to play with; sometimes, if I've eaten my Wheaties (i.e. had enough coffee and smokes and Advil) I can actually "work the ball" with them...

[Wade Whitehead]

Tiger wrote those notes just like Mr. Palmer designed Spring Island.

WW

[Kalen Braley]

Tiger wrote those notes just like Mr. Palmer designed Spring Island.

WW

Wade,

And I thought I was cynical! 

I know its hip to pile on Tiger...but he did go to Stanford, so I suspect he developed at least a halfway decent vocabulary to write something like that, which no doubt was spell checked and edited...