Short Holes Provide Historic Vantage Points at Golf's Major Championships

Golf fans attending this year’s four major championships are in for quite a treat. Augusta National, Pebble Beach, and St Andrews are reputed to be the best three courses in the world--while the fourth, Wisconsin’s Whistling Straits, is an up and coming gem attracting nothing but raves.

The permanent site of the Masters, Augusta National is presumed by many to be the greatest golf course ever built.  Pebble Beach, which hosts the U.S. Open, rests on arguably the finest tract of golf property in the world. Scotland’s St. Andrews, which hosts the British Open, is not only the birthplace of the game,  it’s also the world’s consummate golfing links.

Hopefully, this brief introduction has sold you on a summer-long pilgrimage to four golfing heavens. At the first stop, however, you’ll be expected to be at your best behavior:

The 74th Masters, April 8-11, Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Georgia 7435 yards, par 72 , Defending Champion: Angel Cabrera, 276. (won in a playoff over Chad Campbell, Kenny Perry)

At one time, obtaining a ticket to the Masters was nearly impossible. But my friends at StubHub assure us a wonderful experience. Practice round tickets run about $250. But if you’re planning to make the trip, buy a week’s pass for just over two grand,  or just pop for the final round at $600. Once inside the gate, everything, including an infamous egg salad sandwich, is relatively cheap.

First, you’ll pass through the merchandise and refreshment clutter, before experiencing one of the greatest panoramas in golf: from right to left: one tee, nine green, 18 green and 10 tee. You’ll notice the slope down 10, much, much steeper than on television.

And everything is green. There’s not a blade of grass out of place. In the distance you’ll see pink azaleas and white dogwoods (providing the weather cooperates).

Now don’t forget, attending a “major” is slightly different from your normal weed-eater classic.  It’s the people and lots of ‘em. Whether you use the term: patrons, gallery or throngs, the course is simply too crowded to follow your favorite player and see every shot—especially during the final round.

I’ve always scouted out a par three, so I could see some iron shots, chipping and putting. And of course, Augusta has perhaps the best pair of the short holes in championship golf. Both have water in play and both are strategically placed on the back nine.

So off we go, an easy walk down right of the 10^th fairway. They tell me it’s an elevation drop of about 75 feet. The slope of the 10^th green is brutal. Take a minute to watch a few missed putts, then head down the right of the downhill 11^th. If you’re early enough, you can see the bleachers behind the 12^th tee. Grab a seat, then watch the action to your left at the 11th green, before zeroing in on the 155-yard 12^th, one of golf’s most photographed, and pivotal par threes.

During the final round back in 1992 Fred Couples stood on the tee, contemplating his tee shot across Rae's Creek. Birdies at eight and nine helped him wrestle the lead away from Raymond Floyd. Golfer's lore suggested he gauge the wind by the flagstick, not at 12, but down the hill and to the left at 11. The smart shot, of course was to aim for the center of the green, but Couples went right at the pin, tucked in its usual Sunday spot, on the right edge of the green. His iron shot came up a little short, but miraculously remained on the river's bank, instead of rolling back into the water. That moment of fortune allowed Couples to make par, and hang on  for his only Masters title. Later he was extremely grateful, calling it, “The biggest break, probably, in my life.”

Now that you’ve had a glimpse of 12, let’s make our way over to the back nine’s other short hole, the 170-yard 16^th.

Probably the biggest roar of all time occurred during the final round of the 2005 Masters when Tiger Woods (yes, I mentioned his name) was locked up in a dual with Chris DiMarco. Woods held a one-shot lead when the two-some approached 16.  Woods’ tee shot wound up long and left, snug between the collar and the deep rough (excuse me, the second-cut). DiMarco, who anticipated picking up at least one, was safely in the center of the green.

I’ve probably heard Vern Lundquist of CBS describe what happened next at least a dozen times. Everyone knows that Tiger pitched the ball some 25 feet left of the flag, onto the upper tier of the green. I’m not sure whether it was the slope or the “bikini wax,” but the ball gradually worked its way down the slope and toward the cup. “Oh my goodness,” Lundquist shouted, as the ball tumbled the final few feet into the hole.

Slightly excited, Woods went on to bogey 17 and 18 before outlasting DiMarco in a playoff to claim his fourth Masters title.

Look-ins of Pebble, St. Andrews and Whistling Straits to come.