[Jordan Wall]

A while back I had a conversation with someone and we got to talking about Augusta.  We agreed the planted trees (i.e. along 7, 11, etc) tightened the course too much and took away too much width on some of the holes.  Though my observation is purely through television, this does seem to be the case.  We also talked about how the Masters has changed a lot over the past few years.  Instead of loud roars and miraculous shots, players are holding steady at pars and breaking down somewhat often with bogeys, leading to a severe lack of those thunderous roars that once reigned over the back nine on Sunday afternoon.

Part of the aura the Masters used to present was the oppurtunity for miraculous shots to provide an exciting end to the tournament.  Will conditions for the tournament ever change back to 'Masters' conditions instead of fierce US Open-like set-ups?

I myself am tired of seeing just a couple players under par and no real close contest down the stretch, even if it has been just the past couple of years.

Also, I had heard some rumors that some of the planted trees along the corridors of the holes might be removed.  Does anybody know if there is any truth to this?

It would be nice to see some more width to some of the holes, not only to improve scoring but to add options of shots played to several of the holes.


With all this being said, I would like to mention that I love watching the Masters and seeing the course.  It is as good of a golf course as I have ever seen, and hopefully one day I'll be able to see it personally.  I just miss the drama some of the old tournaments produced, and from pictures think that some of those newish trees look pitiful.  With a little work done, I know Augusta could easily provide the drama it once did and improve the look and width of some of the holes.

Cheers,
Jordan

[Dan Herrmann]

Jordan,
Keep putting your name in the practice round lottery.  Odds are that you'll eventually be picked.

As far as The Masters go - I think they've heard the cheers for the way Mike Davis has been setting up courses for the USGA.  I think I read the article on Geoff's blog that quoted somebody from ANGC as saying that they may use member's tees on some of the holes in the future.

Of course, they could lose the rough, take out the trees, and bring back some of the original mounding. 

Last thought - I thought the trees on the left side of 15 looked the most out of place.  I'd love to see 15 returned to a chance for an eagle.

[Chuck Brown]

Somebody who's been at Augusta recently please correct me if I am worng, but;

~they had already removed some of the newly-planted offending trees even before this year's Masters, and they might remove more.

~they lost one or two trees to natural 'attrition' recently

~they are expanding some of the toonamint tees, to allow for a somwehat wider range of tee placements.  But the chasm between the members' tees and the toonamint tees is so vast (except on irrelevant placements like 12) that almost nowhere is the use of the separate forward teeing grounds for members an option.  Any teeing ground changes will be incremental at best.  A good example is Hole #1, where the toonamint tee has been expanded, forward, by ten or fifteen yards, to allow a more-forward placement when a cool breeze blows directly into the players, distorting the intent of what was intended with the new tee (to put the right hand bunker right at the landing zone, to challenge the angle to the green).

[Dan Herrmann]

Chuck,
The Masters tee on #1 is almost laughable because it's SO close to the practice green.  That is one heck of a long hole from back there.

[Garland Bayley]

...It is as good of a golf course as I have ever seen, and hopefully one day I'll be able to see it personally. ...

I am going to pull a Mucci on you here. How can you say the above? You admit not having seen it, so you also haven't played it. How can you say it is better than Chambers Bay that you know well, and for that matter Pebble Beach that you have also played?

[Dan Herrmann]

Garand,
I spent 2 days there in 2005 (practice rounds at the Masters).  It's one helluva golf course.

Believe me, it was a great experience.

I just wish they'd bring back the ground game.

[Garland Bayley]

...
I spent 2 days there in 2005 (practice rounds at the Masters).  It's one helluva golf course.

Believe me, it was a great experience.
...

So how do you match up with Jordan on Pebble Beach experience?

Jordan has spent zero days at Augusta National.

[Mark Bourgeois]

Not to worry, lads. As we speak new (shorter) tees are going in on 13 and 15. No more US Open crapola! Well, less anyway...

[Jordan Wall]

Garland,

I do not want to get in a picky fight but you are not and will never be Pat Mucci.

I mentioned that my judgements were based purely on what I have seen on television.  That is enough for me to pass my own judgement.  Surely a visit to the course would solidify my thoughts.


Dan,

I agree 15 would be a much better hole with players fighting for eagle.

Hopefully they do make those changes regarding conditions.  The USGA has definitey been improving - the last two US Opens have been awesome, especially compared to Shinnecock just a few years ago.


Chuck,

Extending the first tee to make it a bit shorter would seem to be a smart move, as it plays incredibly difficult for an opener as proven by the high scores it has surrendered.  A shorter length might make the hole play a lot better.

[JESII]

Jordan,

I think your discontent is misguided...if the players would use equipment that better enables them to work the ball both ways they would have the ability to access the corners of the greens where the holes are cut and birdies and eagles would be made...and I think they will voluntarily recognize this if the course remains narrow, but would not if it were widened back out...

[cary lichtenstein]

...It is as good of a golf course as I have ever seen, and hopefully one day I'll be able to see it personally. ...

I am going to pull a Mucci on you here. How can you say the above? You admit not having seen it, so you also haven't played it. How can you say it is better than Chambers Bay that you know well, and for that matter Pebble Beach that you have also played?

Amen

[Garland Bayley]

Garland,

I do not want to get in a picky fight but you are not and will never be Pat Mucci.

...

Thankfully for one if not both of us.

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