FIVE BEST APPROACH SHOTS TO THE 13TH AT THE MASTERS

[Anthony Gray]

  1-Arnold Palmer   3-wood    1958

   2-Byron Nelson   3-wood     1937

  3-Jeff Maggert      3-iron       1994

  4-Nick Faldo         2-iron        1996

   5-Ernie Els          6-iron         2004

   From Links Magazine

  Over the years players are hitting lesser clubs into this green.

   Will we ever see it become a par 4?

   If it was a par 4 wouldn't more players try to cross the creek in two?

   The road hole going from a par 5 to par 4, is what has made it so famous?

   Anthony

   

[Steve Salmen]

Holes like that render par just a word, especially in competition.  One of the great shots I recall was Bernhard Langer's 3 iron shot in 1993.  He was not one of the longer hitters in the field yet made the only three of the final round. 

The long hitter is not necessarily rewarded for hitting it long and straight.  In 1996, I believe Faldo hit his second from a severe hook stance.  In Langer's case, he was rewarded for nailing a low draw around the corner and hitting a downward/leftward sloping fairway, leaving just over 200 yds from a relatively flat lie.

[jim_lewis]

I don't think a change in par would change how players play the hole in the Masters.

I was fortunate enough to witness two shots that deserve to be included among the list of great shots to the 13th green. Both Raymond Floyd and Ian Woosnan hit their Sunday tee shots through the fairway into the pine straw among the pine trees. In each case they risked losing the tournament by going for, and hitting,  the green from a very tricky lie. Floyd hit a 4-wood and Woosnan hit a long iron with Tom Watson looking on. Tom applauded.

The smartest shots I saw there were layups by Crenshaw and Casper enroute to winning. Casper layed up 4 days in a row and made 4 birdies.

Jim Lewis

[Matt_Cohn]

Really, not Seve's eagle in 1986? I know he didn't win, but still.

[Norbert P]

FIVE BEST APPROACH SHOTS TO THE 13TH AT THE MASTERS . . .

1st, you have to be a man, or at least of the male gender.
2nd, you have to kiss Hootie's butt.
3rd, you can never have been heard to utter "mob scene".
4th, you can never have been heard to utter "bikini waxed".
and the 5th best approach . . . . . be a really good touring pro.

Personally, I think the best approach is with a keg full o' good beer, a big widescreen hdtv,  a broadcast with no commercials AND the telecasting of the front nine.  Come back Martha! 

[Garland Bayley]

Did The Squire take a 2 on 13, or was it on 15?

[Scott Warren]

That was on 15. A 4-wood, if I'm not mistaken.

[Matthew Rose]

Is Maggert's the only deuce at 13?

[Kevin_Reilly]

No mention of Fred Couples' "oh baby" shot...or does it not rate because it was on Saturday?

[David Neveux]

Tiger's 3rd from the putting surface into Rae's Creek always brings a smile to my face.

[Tony Ristola]

If you're not on the green, you're still approaching.
Not the best but one of the most memorable:
Curtis Strange from the ditch fronting the green.

.

[PCCraig]

It should never be a par-4.

They need to cut down all the "rough" and make the tour pros play from the member tees.

[Andy Ryall]

I second the nomination for Couples' 2nd in 1998.    The combination of the shot and the reaction were too cool for words.   Still can't believe O'Meara birdied 17-18 to steal it at the end.

[Jim Nugent]

I second the nomination for Couples' 2nd in 1998.    The combination of the shot and the reaction were too cool for words.   Still can't believe O'Meara birdied 17-18 to steal it at the end.

But you forgot that Freddie butchered the same hole in the final round.  He drove into the trees left of the creek...found the ball and pitched back into the fairway...dumped his 6-iron or 7-iron 3rd shot into Raes Creek...played a poor pitch and 2-putted for a 7.

But he also threw away the tournament on #9 (drove perfectly to bottom of hill, then hit his wedge a few feet short and watched it spin back 30 yards)...#14 (missed a five-footer for birdie)...#17 (missed another 5-6 footer for bird). 

[Scott Stearns]

Claude Harmon '48, i think