Over the years, GOLF has polled PGA Tour pros and our ultra-savvy readers about the quirks, extraordinary challenges and outright awesomeness of Augusta National. But when it comes to the Masters, there’s always more to learn. So, who better to school us than GOLF’s Top 100 Teachers in America? Their syllabus is below. Check back for more survey answers in the coming days!
What’s the toughest thing for Masters’ first-timers to figure out?
“Understanding where to miss on certain pins, and how putts break; since the speed of the greens change from Thursday to Sunday.” — James Sieckmann
“Conserving energy for the whole week. It’s an adrenaline-fest, and the excitement can wear out even the best-conditioned athletes. First-timers are going to show up excited for the first day, while veterans save up their strength for the tournament rounds.” — Joe Plecker
“There are places on the greens that they have to hit their approach shots, depending on the pin position. Gather information from others who have played Augusta before in order to learn how to play the course on those types of shots.” — Trent Wearner
“Understanding how severe a mistake can be when playing an aggressive iron shot that isn’t properly executed.” — Chris O’Connell
“The green speeds and slope. Players must miss the pin to the proper side for the best chance at birdie or par.” — E.J. Pfister