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. 16: Par-3 / 170 yards (Redbud)
By Jack Nicklaus (1963, 1965, 1966, 1972, 1975, 1986 Masters champion)
What you see off the tee: “A very pretty hole and a lot of people. In a tournament, I don’t think I’ve ever hit the ball in the water there, and so it’s never really been a factor to me. Basically, I see the middle of a green and a ridge, which is going to direct the ball to one side of the green or the other.”
What you don’t know until you’ve played it: “How much the slope of the green can help you. It doesn’t look that much from the tee, but once you get on the green — throw a ball on it and watch it roll back — it rolls to a pretty consistent spot. So when the pin is on the left side, it’s more about making sure you have the right distance than it is about accuracy.”
Where you will gain the greatest advantage: “When the pin is back-left.”
Where you will make the biggest mistake: “Probably when the pin is back-right.”
Who played it best: “I played it pretty well.”
Why it’s unforgettable to me: “It was the centerpiece of several of my wins. In ’63, I holed about a 12-footer, which put me ahead. In ’75, I hit a 38-foot putt up the hill. And, of course, in ’86 I almost made a one. If you took all of my 16s, I’m probably more under par here than on any of [Augusta’s] other par 3s.”
Did you know… The original teeing area for 16 was to the right of the 15th green. It was moved to its current location in ’46.
