[Tyler Ince]

I think being inside the ropes on any course definitely limits one from truly seeing the course.  Think of the courses you play where a slight shift of the tee box really changes your perspective.

From playing the course I would learn truly how tough the greens are.  When I walked the course as a spectator I honestly felt the course looked easy because it is so lush and fairly open off the tee. You do not have to hit fairways to win, but you need to be below the pin.

Like all of you I dream and look forward to the day when I can tee it up there.....with my friends of course.

[Matthew Petersen]

i played amen corner at tour 18 in houston....

i agree the speeds would wreak havoc upon people not used to it.  i played harbour town this past may a week after the heritage.  i had birdie putts on the first three holes and went double-double-double.

I had a similar experience playing TPC Scottsdale shortly after it hosted the Phoenix Open. I could deal with the green speeds, and the rough wasn't insane ... but I could not believe how firm the greens were. Seemed to me like firing at trampolines. And yet, I kept thinking to myself, this is a course that the pros take dead aim at and shoot very low scores on, year after year. Remarkable.

[Mark McKeever]

i played amen corner at tour 18 in houston....

i agree the speeds would wreak havoc upon people not used to it.  i played harbour town this past may a week after the heritage.  i had birdie putts on the first three holes and went double-double-double.

Mark,

I've played that stretch at Tour 18 Houston also and that never even crossed my mind.  On a related note, I made an eagle on 13 with a slinging draw off the tee!

Mark

[Gary Slatter]

1.  I learn that Masters green is too rich to be a golfing colour.

2.  Playing the course you learn patience, as you are tempted by pins that look easy, but are frought with danger. And you also should learn that 10 on the Stimp is far more reasonable than 12.  However the greens are not always at Masters speed.

I walked the course during practice rounds, and once walked the middle of the fairways (thanks to EZGO trip).

[Mike Hendren]

Two stories that emphasize the dramatic distinction between the course's setup for members and The Masters:

Back in the 50's the guest of a Nashville member turned the front nine in 42 with the greens slowed down and hole locations in their easiest positions.    Feeling his oats, on the 10th tee he turned to his caddy, the late Willie "Cemetery" Perteet and asked:  "Tell me Cemetery, how does my game compare with President Eisenhower's?"  The reply, "Very similar, sir, he ain't worth a sh*t neither."

Based upon his runner-up finish to Chris Patton in the 1989 U. S. Amateur at Merion, Jackson, TN native Danny Green played in his first Masters in 1990.  After cleaning out several members in the card room of Lookout Mountain CC on the trip down legend has it that he doubled down with a bet that he could shoot 160 in the first two rounds of the Masters.  His scores:  80/80.  Danny was the best putter I've ever seen and would go on to win the U. S. Mid-Amateur and play on a Walker Cup team. 

The Masters set-up does not suffer fools.  While Barney's got game, I think his over/under of 93 reflects a keen sense of self-awareness.   


The golf course's elasticity for tournament and member play is perhaps its greatest attribute.

Bogey

[Dan Herrmann]

The single thing that surprised me when first walking Augusta (2005 practice rounds) were how firm the fairways were.  Very firm and fast.

What disappointed me was trees planted in some goofy places to serve as a Tiger barrier. 

BTW - It's one of the most beautiful places I've ever been.  (And, yes, the cardinals really are that loud down in the Rae's Creek valley)

[Ken Moum]

I would bet that 90% of golfers with a 5 handicap or over would not be able to put a ball on the green from inside 120 yds on 15

I don't know if I'd set the handicap dividing line that low, but I know that unless you get in just the right places, you'd never realize how far below the green you are for the third shot at 15.

Playing an uphill wedge to a green like that with trouble front and back, is a serious gut check.

K

[jeffwarne]

I would bet that 90% of golfers with a 5 handicap or over would not be able to put a ball on the green from inside 120 yds on 15

I don't know if I'd set the handicap dividing line that low, but I know that unless you get in just the right places, you'd never realize how far below the green you are for the third shot at 15.

Playing an uphill wedge to a green like that with trouble front and back, is a serious gut check.

K

from a tight downhill lie...

[john_stiles]

Mike,

If memory serves me,  the story is that D Green made about a 20ish footer on the 18th and jumped for joy.  The spectators, knowing he was way over par,   must have wondered what the hell was that.........

[Sam Morrow]

I remember years ago Ken Venturi talking about how the course was tough but not that much tougher than your average course. He said most players would probably play to their handicap. Even as a kid I thought that was a silly comment, of course Ken made a living off silly comments.

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