In the 65 years since the Masters Tournament was first televised, golf fans have seen every inch of Augusta National’s beauty in high-def close-up. What you’ve never seen is the course — hole by hole, tee box by tee box — through the eyes of 18 living Masters champions, from Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Dustin Johnson, Ben Crenshaw and beyond. Until now. Eighteen holes, 18 winners, 18 ways of seeing Augusta National anew.
Hole No. 11: Par-4 / 505 yards (White Dogwood)
By Larry Mize (1987 Masters champion)
What you see off the tee: “A long, long, long hole! It’s not particularly tight, but it is much tighter than it used to be.”
What you don’t know until you’ve played it: “How the mounds short and right of the green can affect your shot. They can be a positive or a negative, helping you bounce it on the green — or into the pond.”
Where you will gain the greatest advantage: “With the tee shot. There’s a point in the fairway, if you can reach it, where you can get a little more run and get a shorter club in your hand into that green. Makes a big difference.”
Where you will make the biggest mistake: “Either the drive or the approach, but I’d lean toward the drive. Miss right and you have to pitch out, and you still have to face that tough approach with water left.”
Who played it best: “Jack and Tiger. Think about the length that they each have, and both are tremendous iron players.”
Why it’s unforgettable to me: “Something happened years ago … [Laughs] Of course, my chip-in in 1987 makes it unforgettable for me. But I do think it’s a great golf hole — hard but not impossible. Anyone can play it.”
Did you know… Nick Faldo won two of his three green jackets in sudden-death playoffs on 11, besting Scott Hoch in ’89 and Ray Floyd in ’90.
