Is Augusta the Most Beautiful Inland Golf Course

[Phil Benedict]

I just read some article in which the writer referred to Augusta as "the most telegenic course."  Not sure that I agree (Pebble Beach looks great on TV).  Augusta looks spectacular in April because of all the flowering trees and shrubs, but otherwise does it really stand as exceptionally beautiful compared to other inland courses?

[jonathan_becker]

If we're talking "the most telegenic course" then that's probably correct.  The fact that AN has all the money in the world to make sure the course is tip top come coverage time plus factoring in HD broadcasts, then I agree.  Actually, AN is probably the best course to watch in HD because you can see how every blade of grass on the property is damn near perfect.

If we're just talking "most beautiful inland course" then obviously that's a matter of opinion.  I'm sure many would feel that Sand Hills, Ballyneal, or many other courses are more beautiful.  I bet some would even choose a desert course because it fits their personal taste.

[Jud_T]

One thing it certainly is is "Most detrimental course to others' maintenace budgets and the promotion of firm and fast playing conditions"....

[Adrian_Stiff]

I think it used to be a candidate. I look at it a bit differently now and one of my opinions would be the bunkering does not look nice, I think the bunkers are almost out of size and are too big for the size of the green. I have never been there but whilst there are some great looking holes I have it in my mind that a number say 9, 17 and 18 are not so great lookers.

[Terry Lavin]

It's so perfectly over-maintained that it looks like computer graphics when you're watching on HD television.  Being there in person is jarring as well, because they over-do every single detail, from the pretentious stone work to the green cart paths to the excessive flower planting.  Uh, but did I mention that it looks like a great version of heaven to me?  It does, despite being too perfect.

[Mark Arata]

Shadow Creek is pretty damn nice....another course that has an unlimited budget and exceeds it each year.........
I think Prairie Dunes is beautiful as well.....but Augusta is pretty amazing in person.

[George Pazin]

I guess beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder.

Perfection doesn't look like golf to me. I prefer the look of the many hidden gems Paul Turner used to post. Or even Anthony Gray's recent country roads thread.

I'm guessing here - haven't actually been there, though Dick Daley makes me feel like I have - but I think Wild Horse would probably fit my own personal definition best, when it comes to inland courses. If not that, then likely Wolf Point.

And, of course, everyone knows how I feel about Oakmont...

[Mark Smolens]

Frankly, though I have only been there once, it is the only course for me other than Pebble that pictures do not, and cannot, do justice to.  ANC is the single most breathtaking inland course I have ever seen. . .

[Stephen Britton]

One thing it certainly is is "Most detrimental course to others' maintenace budgets and the promotion of firm and fast playing conditions"....

I can't totally agree with this,

A. "Most detrimental course to others' maintenance budgets"
Do you honestly believe ANGC is solely to blame for greens chairman’s, members, owner’s etc wanting green grass and flowers? Any greens chairman or owner that says to their Sup "why can't we look like ANGC" has no business being in the position. Everyone knows ANGC has a huge maint budget and the average club doesn't have a chance of replicating the look.

B."Promotion of firm and fast playing conditions"
Do you honestly believe ANGC doesn't promote firm and fast conditions? Just because it's green doesn't mean it's soft and slow. If the weather cooperates (like at any course) the fairways are plenty firm and balls bounce and roll, and I think we all know the greens are firm and fast.  

[Kevin Pallier]

I don't know about Augusta but I reckon Pine Valley looked pretty damn fine to me when I was there 

[jeffwarne]

One thing it certainly is is "Most detrimental course to others' maintenace budgets and the promotion of firm and fast playing conditions"....

Well....where to begin.

First of all, ANGC is firmer and faster than 99% of US courses out there (when not deluged by rain)

Secondly, firm and fast is not cheap

so there's a bit of an oxymoron in your statement

[Dan Herrmann]

Phil - yep, Augusta is amazingly beautiful.  Not only is it a world-class golf course, it's also world-class landscape architecture.

[Jud_T]

One thing it certainly is is "Most detrimental course to others' maintenace budgets and the promotion of firm and fast playing conditions"....

I can't totally agree with this,

A. "Most detrimental course to others' maintenance budgets"
Do you honestly believe ANGC is solely to blame for greens chairman’s, members, owner’s etc wanting green grass and flowers? Any greens chairman or owner that says to their Sup "why can't we look like that" has no business being in the position. Everyone knows ANGC has a huge maint budget and the average club doesn't have a chance of replicating the look.

B."Promotion of firm and fast playing conditions"
Do you honestly believe ANGC doesn't promote firm and fast conditions? Just because it's green doesn't mean it's soft and slow. If the weather cooperates (like at any course) the fairways are plenty firm and balls bounce and roll, and I think we all know the greens are firm and fast. 

If you guys don't believe that the overwatering, planting of flower beds, etc. that happens at many private and high end public courses has a direct connection to Augusta National and what most members see on TV every April and thus consider a properly presented course then please send me the name of your medical marijuana clinic...After all they don't call it the "Augusta Effect" for nothing.....

[David_Elvins]

I just read some article in which the writer referred to Augusta as "the most telegenic course."  Not sure that I agree (Pebble Beach looks great on TV).  Augusta looks spectacular in April because of all the flowering trees and shrubs, but otherwise does it really stand as exceptionally beautiful compared to other inland courses?

Phil,  does telegenic really mean beautiful?  The TV attraction to Augusta is not just the prettyness of the course, but the features (bunkers, water hazards, and contours) that are so bold and translate the strategy and challenge of the golf course into your lounge room, in a way that most courses do not.   The most telegenic courses to me are Sawgrass and Augusta.  The playing features are so bold that they are easily picked up on TV. 

[Carl Nichols]

I've never played any of them, but the Canadian courses like Banff, Jasper and maybe ones in BC seem more beautiful to me.

[Bill Brightly]

Jud is right on the money when he speaks about the detrimetal effect that Augusta National has had on golf in America. Forget fast and firm, that confuses the issue. For the past 50 years, the pure perfection of the place has been like a huge carrot in front of the noses of every board member at every private club. I'll bet a million white pines were planted the 70's "to create separation." I'll bet billions have been spent in Grounds budgets tryng to mimic the conditions we will see this weekend.

Don't get me wrong, I have loved watching the Masters all of my lilfe and it always jump starts my desire to get back on the course. But there is not a doubt in my mind that AN has not bee the #1 motivating factor behind the direction that boards have given to their course superintendents.

[jeffwarne]

Jud is right on the money when he speaks about the detrimetal effect that Augusta National has had on golf in America. Forget fast and firm, that confuses the issue. For the past 50 years, the pure perfection of the place has been like a huge carrot in front of the noses of every board member at every private club. I'll bet a million white pines were planted the 70's "to create separation." I'll bet billions have been spent in Grounds budgets tryng to mimic the conditions we will see this weekend.

Don't get me wrong, I have loved watching the Masters all of my lilfe and it always jump starts my desire to get back on the course. But there is not a doubt in my mind that AN has not bee the #1 motivating factor behind the direction that boards have given to their course superintendents.

If the masters was played at Cypress Point every April, would CP be to blame for green and lush fairways,
cause it looks really green on the photo thread currently running

[Ben Kodadek]

I was at Augusta for the first time on Monday.  As we walked in the first thing I noticed was how "long" the fairway grass was.  I was quite surprised that the lies were not a bit tighter.  Billy Payne was asked about this yesterday and defllected it by stating the length is the same as it has been for years.  I would love to see if it is the same length this weekend. 

The group I was with also discussed maintenance budgets.  Can anyone speculate within 15% or so, what they think goes into the budget at ANGC?

[PCCraig]

It sure is a tough arguement to say it isn't.

However PV and it's look is pretty darn sexy to me 

[Bill Brightly]

Jud is right on the money when he speaks about the detrimetal effect that Augusta National has had on golf in America. Forget fast and firm, that confuses the issue. For the past 50 years, the pure perfection of the place has been like a huge carrot in front of the noses of every board member at every private club. I'll bet a million white pines were planted the 70's "to create separation." I'll bet billions have been spent in Grounds budgets tryng to mimic the conditions we will see this weekend.

Don't get me wrong, I have loved watching the Masters all of my lilfe and it always jump starts my desire to get back on the course. But there is not a doubt in my mind that AN has not bee the #1 motivating factor behind the direction that boards have given to their course superintendents.

If the masters was played at Cypress Point every April, would CP be to blame for green and lush fairways,
cause it looks really green on the photo thread currently running

I don't think so Jeff. I have not played Cypress Point but I have been to the Monterrey Penninsula and seen glimses of CP. I do not believe that the fairways are lined with wallls of pine trees. I do not believe CP  would have installed special heating systems to make the flowers bloom at the proper time. I don't believe CP would have worked on the color of the water in the ocean...

You just have to stop and think how powerful the images of Augusta have been. I just finished a 4-year stint as Grounds Chair at my club, so I know a bit about boards and trying to meet membership demands. You cannot exaggerate how much the Masters changed the way clubs approach their golf courses.

I think my club planted 1000 white pines at 50 cents each in the late 60's, early 70's. My predecessor saw a couple hundred removed, I got at least 100, and my successor got another 100...Mother Nature has also been pitching in!