Efficacy of ANGC's first cut

[Phil Benedict]

Assuming they won't cut down any of the new trees, the other thing Hootie ought to get rid of is the first cut.  It didn't look to me like the pros have any problem spinning it from this stuff, so what's the point?  Someone pointed out to Hootie during his press conference that the first cut stops errants balls from rolling into the woods, and he didn't dismiss this comment out of hand.

Be nice to see Augusta returned to the old uniform green.

[Tim Pitner]

It seems to help the longer hitters a lot.  One thing you had to worry about in the past is that, if you didn't hit your drive on the correct line or didn't shape the ball enough, the ball would roll through the "fairway" and into trouble.  Now, balls seem to get caught up in the "rough" and avoid trouble.  Along with the course lengthening (which becomes more of a factor in wet conditions), the rough seems to really help the long hitter.  And, I think you're right--the penalty for hitting out of the short rough isn't particularly strong.  

[Pete Lavallee]

Good point, I watched the entire telecast and the only shot I saw effected was Tiger's second to the 7th yesterday. Of course the second cut made the flop shot recovery much easier.

Although I've never played at Augusta, it appears that the original concept of tightly mown grass through the green plays very much like The Old Course. These lies bring the short game much closer to the ground. Where else do you see so many bump and runs or chipping with clubs other than a lob wedge? The second cut up near the greens allow for lob shots; which to me just makes the course play easier.

Can't dispute that the second cut keeps balls from rolling into trouble; heck even Hootie acknowledges that!

I saw lots of shots that ran through the fairway on 10 and 13 that were much easier to play with that extra cushion of grass under the ball. Playing the sidehill shots off a tight lie is a much better test of ball striking to me.

[A.G._Crockett]

Think of it this way:

The club keeps the banks on 12, 13, and 15 shaved down so that errant shots roll into hazards that are completely penal.  However, they grow rough that PREVENTS errant shots from rolling into trees that would require creativity, imagination, and shotmaking skills to escape.

On what planet does THAT make sense?

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