I just dont get why lengthening a golf course, especially one as nice as Augusta, is good for the game.  All that extra length is going to do is hurt the course.  Nice pictures though.

I have to admit that I rather like the idea of a 250-yard par 3. I have never seen the course close up, so I don't know if the green is necessarily appropriate for such a long shot. But assuming it is (the caption says that it was originally designed to be a long par 3), the change will force the pros to hit some exceptional long irons or utilities—if it is set up to take full advantage of the new length.

I wouldn't be surprised if the next chairman at ANGC removed at least some of the trees that have been added in the recent years.  

At least the argument of maintaining "a long par 3" or "a long iron into the green" can be understood.  But the one thing that should be the most understood is that ANGC wasn't designed to put a premium on accuracy off the tee, instead, it's intent was to make the inaccurate golfer think a bit before he hit his next shot.

Dont you guys think that Tiger is going to blow everyone out of the water with the added length?  Earlier this year David Toms said the course was long enpugh as it was.  Isnt he like number #11 in the world or something???

Dont you guys think that Tiger is going to blow everyone out of the water with the added length?  Earlier this year David Toms said the course was long enpugh as it was.  Isnt he like number #11 in the world or something???

Depends on how accurate he is off the tee.  Getting stuck behind those trees on 11 or any other holes could be a problem for him.  
Frankly, I think it makes it easier for Phil to win again if he stays with the cut and plays for the fairway.

Dont you guys think that Tiger is going to blow everyone out of the water with the added length?  Earlier this year David Toms said the course was long enpugh as it was.  Isnt he like number #11 in the world or something???

The only hole I have any opinion on is number one.  In 2005 Tiger blew his drive past everything, and had a half wedge to the green.  Next year he will have to carry 320 something to do that.  My guess is that he will instead lay back.  If so, he will have similar distance into the green as most of the field.  

It seems to me (with my admittedly limited knowledge) that number one got harder for Tiger.  

If defending par is their goal, it would certainly save ANGC a good bit of money and effort if they'd just bite the bullet and grow the rough substantially higher for the tournament.

I’m not advocating it, but it may make more sense than planting more trees every year.

Even if there not moving the members’ tees, all those new trees have got to be feeling a bit claustrophobic for the members.

ANGC has become an abomination and completely different from the intentions of Mac and Bobby Jones.  Note, I say intentions.  I am sure both men realized changes would occur, but the strategic intent is totally gone.  It's now essentailly a US Open.

I can uderstand adding length, but all these trees!!!!  All the width and angles have been stripped away.  The driving corridors are claustrophobic.  There is no strategy off the tee.  Simply lace it through a chute of trees.  And this was supposed to be the answer to St. Andrews?

What is a real shame is the change to the 7th green.  Lowering the back right of that green is awful.  What drama it was to see a well played shot to the back right and draw it down the hill to the front right hole location, generally the Sunday location.  And, if you missed the shot it fell off to the left side of the green leaving a tricky putt.  Not only that, but this is a very shallow green and now instead of short irons, players will be coming in with mid and long irons.  I don't see even Tiger risking a driver off this tee because the chute of trees and landing area are so tight.

What's next?  Adding 40 yards to 12, flattening other greens to create other hole locations?  Maybe they'll move the ninth green further up the hill to make the hole 490?  Something has to be done to #3, it's just way too short a hole!

I wouldn't be surprised if the next chairman at ANGC removed at least some of the trees that have been added in the recent years.  

Any idea who that next chairman might be?

I just dont get why lengthening a golf course, especially one as nice as Augusta, is good for the game.  All that extra length is going to do is hurt the course.  Nice pictures though.

As was pointed-out earlier, the changes at ANGC have occurred for a very long time.

So why should they stop now?

I wonder about those that are fortunate to play there, who know all about the disfigurements, and then come on here and rave. Sounds alot like both cheeks getting kissed, to me.


If there is one course, whose real history has caused me to change my attitude, about it's architectural stature, the most, it is ANGC. Thanx GCA