The Augusta Lottery

Just been watching the first round of the Masters and been watching some of the worlds best golfers being made to look silly by the absolutely ridiculous greens. Seen about half a dozen superb shots into 16 get to 3 feet from the hole and then end up 30 feet away.

It surely isnt a good thing, they are trying to protect the integrity of the course by tricking up the greens. All that will lead to is a fluke winner who has a week of lucky kicks and breaks.

Had a bit of a chuckle at Tiger putting into the stream from the top end of the 13th green......be interesting to hear what he has to say about it....

D.

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I think it is given that the greens at Augusta are like this every year, although the comments this week do seem to suggest they are even quicker than normal. I agree that it does seem a little unfair that a player who hits a shot to within feet of the hole is punished by the ball rolling 30 feet away when it was almost at rest. The 16th does seem unfair when the pin is up their on the right of the green. But this Augusta, the players know this is going to happen and after all, they all have to play the same course. Getting the right breaks is essential to winning any tournament. Look at that wedge shot Tiger hit into the first (his tenth) hole, tremendous shot, which struck the bottom of the flag only to finish in the front bunker. Is it fair, no, but it is golf.

One thing is for sure, it makes for interesting TV

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Greg Hutton
Director & Head PGA Professional
golftuitiononline.com | the global golf forum
3skillsgolf Instructor

Guys,

I think if it is restricted to this torney only then it's great fun and interesting viewing, bearing in mind there is hardly any rough at all, the greens are it's only protection.


Also more than any other competition this is the greatest test of mental strength.


How long would your temper last if had to contend with the greens like this, if I did what tiger did on 16 last night, I would have been putting with a wedge for the last two holes.


Ian.

I haven't seen much of the coverage so far so can't really comment particularly on the 16th but the key to Augusta is always to be below the hole. The target on the green is therefore generally not the hole but a good place to strike the first putt from. So the guys that are getting close to the pin only to see the ball disappear down the slope have missed the target area, simple as that.

The greens on the course I play on are undulating and quick (nothing like as difficult as Augusta of course) and once you know the greens you get an idea where to hit the ball so you're not looking at a three putt. A friend of mine who shoots in the 70s will even hit the ball short of the green on some holes to ensure he has a short uphill chip rather than a downhill putt.