Augusta National is a perennial contender for the top-rated golf course in the world. It’s a bucket-list destination for anyone who loves the game, and most golfers would sacrifice a couple of paychecks to get a tee time. The fairways and greens are so pure, it almost seems unreal.
Which isn’t to say Augusta National is beyond reproach!
In GOLF’s 2019 Anonymous Pro Masters survey, 40 Tour pros — all of whom have played in at least one Masters — weighed in on what they would consider to be “the worst” hole at Augusta National. The 4th hole — a taxing 240-yard par 3 — took the, um…honor with 33 percent of the vote.
The 4th is a beastly test, with two deep bunkers guarding the green, tough-to-judge winds and a diabolically sloped putting surface that must be held with a long iron or hybrid. Phil Mickelson famously made a 6 on the 4th in the fourth round of the 2012 Masters to dash his chances.
“It isn’t that No. 4 is a bad hole,” said one poll respondent. “I just always make a [double-bogey] 5.”
Other nominees included the 505-yard par-4 11th, with 15 percent of the vote, and the 455-yard par-4 5th hole, with 13 percent of the vote.
Twenty-seven percent of the respondents named a mix of other holes, while 12 percent believe there isn’t a bad hole to be found.
“Come on!” protested one respondent. “Are there any [bad holes]?”
The contest for ANGC’s best hole was a bit tighter. Twenty-eight percent of respondents selected the iconic 12th hole — a 155-yard par 3 — as the finest hole on the course.
Following closely behind was No. 15, the 530-yard par 5, with 22 percent of the vote, and No. 13 (“Azalea”), the 510-yard par 5, with 20 percent of the vote.
Thirty percent of the players surveyed selected a variety of other holes as their favorites.
GOLF’s Anonymous Masters survey, which will be published in its entirety next week, was compiled over two days at the Desert Classic in January. Forty players — all of whom have competed in at least one Masters — answered a series of questions, which included queries about Tiger, Phil and Rory’s prospects; changes to the course; insidery Augusta secrets, and much more.
The entire survey can also be found in the April issue of GOLF Magazine.
