Rare is the golfer who doesn’t light up when talking about Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters. The spiritual setting that warms the heart, the singular tournament that stirs the senses. The explosion of colors, the anticipation of a Sunday charge. A 12th hole that basks in beauty while serving as a devilish conquest, a green jacket that triggers dreams and lives on forever.
The gathering every April among the Georgia pines is matchless, from Augusta National Women’s Amateur to the Drive, Chip and Putt competition. While we won’t be seeing any of these events in the coming days due to the coronavirus pandemic, we think you’ll still be interested in reading about Masters traditions, the iconic holes at Augusta National and your favorite golfers who would have been in the field this month.
Golfweek surveyed 39 golfers, including 14 winners of the green jacket and 24 major champions in all, to get their views on certain features of Augusta National and the Masters. From putting to eating to predicting to offering their architectural viewpoints, we’ll roll out their takes on a variety of topics in the next 10 days.
The 14th hole is the only hole without a bunker. Is there another hole you would like to see without a bunker?
“There was never a bunker that caused me fits. You just had to stay out of them. The bunker on one is bad. The bunker on two is bad. The bunkers on five. Eight was bad. The worst ones to be in are the fairway bunkers.” – Six-time Masters champion Jack Nicklaus
“No. Each bunker seems to be in the right spot. Well, 16 you could go without the bunker on the left side and instead have the grass shaved all the way into the water. But that would be really tough, though.” – 2015 Masters champion Jordan Spieth
“I wish there was a bunker to the right of 14 because I lost a ball there and not many people can say that.” – Keith Mitchell
“I don’t think you need a bunker on No. 17 now because of the length of the hole. I’d make the green more exposed. And those bunkers on No. 7 are so severe and the sand at Augusta is so heavy, those are tough shots out of the front bunkers. I never enjoyed being in them.” – 1998 Master champion Mark O’Meara
“I’d love to have them take out the front trap on four.” – 2016 Masters champion Danny Willett
“No. The course is perfect.” – 2007 Masters champion Zach Johnson
“How about all 17 of the other holes?” – 2011 Masters champion Charl Schwartzel
“No. Every one of the bunkers does their own little thing.” – 2017 Masters champion Sergio Garcia
“The bunker on 3. I keep hitting my tee shot into that bunker. When I hit driver there I can go over it and I’m OK. But every time I do the smart, sensible shot and lay up short of it, I seem to always, whether it’s adrenaline or I pull it, I get in that bunker, and it never turns out good.” – 2018 Masters champion Patrick Reed
“I think three would be a really cool hole without a bunker. More guys would try and drive the green and a lot of them would get into some really difficult spots and then we’d have to see how good their short game is.” – Brandt Snedeker
“Yeah, No. 5. That hole is the hardest hole in the world with that new tee. No bunkers there, please.” – 2010 U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell
“I don’t like that fairway bunker on 1. I’d like to see that one gone.” – Three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson
“I don’t think they need the bunker on 11. But it’s probably just as easy out of the bunker than it would be without a bunker. But I think the bunkers are fine where they are.” – Two-time Masters champion Bernhard Langer
“On No. 5. I’d be quite happy if they got rid of the two fairway bunkers. Quite happy.” – 2013 Masters champion Adam Scott
“They could take those greenside bunkers away on seven because I’m in them every year.” – 2019 U.S. Open champion Gary Woodland
“I don’t think 15 needs that bunker on the right by the green. I’d rather see short, tight grass there to the right of the green.” – Luke Donald
“The fairway bunker on 2, I’ve seen way too much of. So that could be taken away and I won’t miss it.” – Four-time major champion Rory McIlroy
“I hate the bunker to the right off the tee on No. 1. That’s all you stare at waiting on the tee to tee off.” – Kevin Kinser
“The fairway bunker on the left on five. If you get in there it’s going to be a disaster.” – Paul Casey
“There are plenty of bunkers that drive me nuts. The bunker on 1, I hate being in there. If I’m anywhere near the lip, it’s a layup. And right off the start that’s not what you want.” – Kevin Na
“I think all the bunkers are pretty well placed. But since you’re dead in the bunkers on 18 to the right of the green, they could remove those.” – Bill Haas
“No. 4, now that we’re hitting 5-woods in there. That front bunker is tough, especially to a front-left pin.” – Billy Horschel
“Probably 5. Because you’re hitting driver and 3-wood now and then you have a long iron into the green. And those bunkers on the left of the fairway are deep.” – 2015 PGA champion Jason Day
“The fairway bunker on No. 8. I can’t fly that bunker. That one is annoying for me.” – 1988 Masters champion Sandy Lyle
“Not really, but someday, I would like to carry it far enough to clear the bunker on No. 8.” – Patrick Cantlay
“No. 1. That first tee shot is so hard. Just let us have the fairway.” – Two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson
“No. 5. Those bunkers on the left are now 45 yards farther away. I wouldn’t mind seeing them take those two away.” – Tony Finau
“I think they should take them all out. Just kidding. The fairway bunkers on 18, I wouldn’t mind seeing fairway there.” – Patton Kizzire
“The first hole, that bunker on the right of the fairway. That hole is so hard.” – 2011 PGA champion Keegan Bradley
“The bunkers at No. 5. I’d have a runoff so a pulled tee shot would run down the slope and into the trees. That would be a tough second shot but not as tough as being in those bunkers.” – 2013 U.S. Open champion Justin Rose
“I know I’m definitely getting older and I don’t know if I’m getting any shorter but it feels like every time I go back the bunkers seem to get deeper. But the bunkers, as with everything else there, are really well-placed so there’s no real need for any more or any less.” – 2008 Masters champion Trevor Immelman
“The left bunkers on No. 5 off the tee can go away and I won’t miss them.” – Charles Howell III
No. 18. The fairway bunkers. It’s like the perfect drive for me goes right into one of those bunkers.” – 2012 U.S. Open champion Webb Simpson
Editor’s note: Check back each day for another Masters Survey.
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