Last Thursday I played ANGC
I have been fortunate enough to play on a couple of previous occasions when I was in college when the course was about 400 yards shorter and the equipment considerably different (wood for woods, steel, 384 tour balata and forged v grooves)
Unlike previous rounds this was after the course officially closed--last week after closing ANGC has a week long period of "outings" where volunteers and vendors can play. I was the guest of one of the vendors. It is a much different round than when played with a member--carts (gas no less!), no caddies, no idea of distances other than yardage to the front of greens (actually that was great) and a much more casual look--certainly not what many would imagine. Two quick examples--on the range I was shocked to see one guest in an untucked shirt with two blue baseball batting glove on
Also, while enjoying a cold beer on the upstairs veranda I was also surprised to see one player had used a pull cart for his round. Not that there is anything wrong with that......I just didn't expect to see it at AGNC.
Anyway, I had a couple of thoughts/observations and would love to hear some feedback.
I will say I had been to a couple of Masters tournaments after the tremendous lengthening and tree planting and like many felt both were a bit much. For the most pat I think I was wrong.
#1 OK. I think this hole was better and would be improved at a slightly shorter distance. The old fairway bunker tempted the player to try and fly it to open up a far superior angle into the green. The new bunker doesn't resemble anything on the course (not even #10) and the "noses" of sand and squiggly design make it play much differently than any other bunker on the course. It doesn't seem to fit. I realize the players hit the ball incredible distances but the day I watched the Masters this year, very few could even REACH the bunker much less try and fly it for the best approach.
Except for maybe a handful of players there is absolutely no strategic options for #1--hit it anywhere between bunker and trees and fire away at green.
#2 The added length of 15 yards or so didn't make much of a difference. Still a very reachable hole and the added length was needed.
#4 Length needed to get a longer iron in the best player's hands. A real beast.
#5 Longer and I think the two fairway bunkers are simply too deep. Even from the tips the longest hitters can not get beyond the bunkers and only bring in the narrowest section of the fairway by hitting driver. Tiger for instance would hit 3 wood and lay back.
#7 Not as narrow as I thought although clearly very tight and in 25 years the pine trees will really squeeze you. I watched a lot of players have to hit 4-6 irons into this green and that's just crazy. That green has no depth and plenty of contour and needs to be approached with no more than a 7 iron.
#8, #9, #10 Length needed and the holes play much like in the past.
#11 I was wrong! Trees planted down the right are not too much. Still an ample fairway even from the 505 tee. As long and straight as the ball goes now it is a very fair hole for those guys.
#13, #14 Length again needed to restore shot values. Tee shot on #13 is far scarier than you think. While you can bail right to hit it anywhere near where you must to reach in two it is a difficult drive--particulalry as it is harder to curve a driver.
#15 Again, I was wrong! Added length needed to keep it from becoming a joke and the tree planting on the right is not excessive. Don't get me wrong, they planted a ton of trees but there is still plenty of room to drive the ball. Overhead picks from Golf Digest and the like make the "slot"look narrower than it really is.
#16 The shot Tiger hit--unbelievable
give me any left hole location over front or back right any day. Anything on the right side of the green is brutal.
#17 This hole is much narrower and I do think they planted too many trees down the left side. I promise you this, in the greatest Masters ever (1986) neither Nicklaus or Norman can do anything other than pitch out if the trees were there then. Imagine that--Tom Kite wins the '86 Masters
#18 Again this was a hole that is a tough drive but did not seem as narrow actually playing it. Another lengthening that was needed and the tee has enough flexibility to respond to weather/wind conditions.
A great day
and eye opening in terms of seeing what the players face today versus 25 years ago. I can't believe I am saying this but the recent changes (aside from the retarded bunker on #1) are pretty much right on in keeping the challenge appropriate for today's player. ;