Unsung Augusta holes

[John Nixon]

I agree, I really enjoy watching the par 3s on the front nine. In fact, I enjoy all of the front 9 after all those years of only being shown the back 9 on TV.

[JDoyle]

I have always felt #14 was underated.  The bunkerless green complex is devilish.  I think many players lose focus just a bit on this hole after playing the risk/reward 13th and before the all important 2nd shot on 15.  I was following the Norman/JoseMaria battle in '99.  Norman eagled 13 and had some real momentum going - until he dropped it on 14.  If memory serves, Phil made a terrific birdie there last year on the way to victory.

[Dan Herrmann]

I was out there for the Tuesday and Wednesday practice rounds (it's a long drive from Philly!), and here are my thoughts after seeing ANGC for the first time:
1 - The green on #7 may be as tough to hit as #12.  I don't know why it isn't mentioned more because it's SO small.
2 - #4 was a blast to see in person.  What a great hole with a devilish green.  I was also surprised to see a palm tree on the right side of #4.
3 - #8 is much more uphill in person than you could ever imagine just by seeing it on TV.  In fact, the entire course is much hillier than I thought it'd be.
4 - The green on #18 seems to be a lot smaller in person
5 - The pond on #16 is more in play from #15 fairway than I'd thought.
6 - #3 is a great short hole.

It may be the most beautiful place I've ever seen.  WOW....  Then again, comparing it to the Washington Road scene makes it an easy comparison...

[Patrick_Mucci]

RE Blanks,

Pat,   I wouldn't call a 315 yard carry up a 40 foot hill over bunkers heroic.  I would call that impossible.  That is why none of the players even attempt the shot.  If you move the tees forward even 20 yards you now bring in the heroic option.  

The hole was originally played at 440 yards.  That was seventy plus years ago.  Lengthening it and making the bunkers serve as EFFECTIVE hazards, and forcing play to the right, so that golfers would have to face a particular angle of attack into a green configured for that purpose makes sense, despite what you and others think.
 
"MacKenzie felt that the fifth was descended from the immortal Road Hole, the seventeenth at the Old Course"
"The two large, steep bunkers on the left side of the fairway are characteristic MacKenzie hazards."

Can the Hotel be carried at # 17 at TOC ?[/color]