The sneaky way players are preparing for Augusta’s toughest putts

Augusta National is famous for many things, but its fast, undulating greens are one of the course’s most iconic — and daunting — features. They don’t just test players’ abilities, they reshape expectations.

For most of the field this week, success on the greens is measured by what’s avoided rather than what’s made. A sentiment Xander Schauffele shared on Monday.

“I think speed on the greens is going to be crucial, as always, with them being firm and fast,” he said. “Big accomplishment to keep three-putts off the card. I think that’s always a big goal here at Augusta.”

As players learn — sometimes the hard way — speed is the defining variable on these greens. It dictates everything: the line chosen, how the ball reacts near the hole, and perhaps most importantly, the putt you’re left with coming back.  

At Augusta a putt that’s struck even a touch too firmly doesn’t just miss the hole, it can trickle away and leave you with an even more intimidating follow-up putt. That’s what makes these greens so tough. They reward restraint, punish impatience and remind players that they can’t be overpowered.

Short Game Gains Ghost Holes

They sound scarier than they are- trust us. The SGG Ghost Holes can be used to improve your performance both on and off the greens. Each of the ghost holes (sold in packs of 3) are the exact dimensions of an actual regulation golf hole.   There is one thing that differentiates these ghost holes from other practice cups. Made from sturdy, yet flexible PVC, they are thin enough for a golf ball to roll across seamlessly, but they won’t blow away. The edges are flat, allowing you to aim for them without affecting the roll of the ball. This makes them perfect options for distance control drills with the putter and as landing spot targets for shots around the greens.   A lot of players also like to use them during practice rounds and place them where they believe the holes will be placed during the event to allow them to practice the putts they will be faced with.

$14.99 from Fairway Jockey

View Product

The simple tool players are using at the Masters

So how do the world’s best players prepare for some of golf’s most formidable greens? One surprisingly simple tool has become a fixture in pre-round routines: ghost holes.

These rubber disks — cut to the exact dimensions of a regulation hole — might be simple, but for many they are invaluable.

Players and caddies will set them where hole locations have been in years past — or where they are likely to be this week — so they can practice putting from every possible angle. It allows players to learn the subtleties of Augusta’s greens, visualize putts dropping and build trust that will come in clutch under pressure.

At a venue like Augusta, every little edge counts, and these practice cups are a simple way for players to get a leg up.