Can’t get enough of the Masters year in and year out? Or are you a passive fan of the tournament who tunes in only if your guy is in it on Sunday? Whatever style of fan you are we have you covered with our Masters hole-by-hole guide.
We have all the details about the course at Augusta National Golf Club. Complete with hole layouts, statistics, key points, and analysis.
Related: Augusta National: The Most Exclusive Golf Course on Earth
#1 – Tea Olive
Par 4, 445 yds
2018 Scoring Average: 4.28 (3rd hardest)
The opening hole at Augusta National is Tea Olive, which is a slightly uphill dogleg to the right. Being the first, Tea Olive can cause golfers some pain if their approach shot isn’t precise. A tough green and a nicely placed front side bunker is a big reason why it was the 3rd hardest hole at last year’s Masters.
Analysis: Since this is the first hole, I advise golfers to take it easy here. Put the driver away and use a wood off the tee to avoid the trees on either side. Even though this sets up for a longer approach opportunity, it gives you a much better look at a par. And par is good on Tea Olive.
#2 – Pink Dogwood
Par 5, 575 yds
2018 Scoring Average: 4.81 (15th)
Pink Dogwood’s green is reachable in two shots and can be, for the long hitters, a shot at eagle. This hole doglegs left and has a great downhill look at the green after a nice drive. The two deep greenside bunkers that guard the front of the green are there to check golfers who want to push the envelope.
Analysis: The second at Augusta forces you to debate going for the green on shot number two. You have to try the driver out and get yourself within striking distance from the top of the hill. A halfway decent drive and second shot that lands on or around the green should be good enough for birdie.
Pink Dogwood offers the first legitimate opportunity at gaining a stroke, or maybe even two on this unforgiving course. Take advantage of it.
#3 – Flowering Peach
Par 4, 350 yds
2018 Scoring Average: 3.93 (14th)
The third in our hole-by-hole guide of Augusta features Flowering Peach. Alister MacKenzie, an architect of Augusta National, referred to this hole as nearly perfect in design. The shortest par-4 on the course by almost 100 yards!
Only 350 yards separate golfers from tee to green. A set of four fairway bunkers on the left side is the only true obstacle from the tee box.
Analysis: Since Flowering Peach is so short for these golfers, you sometimes see them going for the green with a driver. In my opinion, it is best to hit an iron of some kind from the tee to maintain control of the situation.
During a practice round, pick an approach distance that you feel comfortable with and then subtract and find what club you need off the tee. Two short, controlled iron shots should get you into birdie territory.
#4 – Flowering Crabapple
Par 3, 240 yds
2018 Scoring Average: 3.32 (2nd)
Flowering Crabapple, the 4th at Augusta National, gave golfers fits at last year’s tournament. This long par-3 has two bunkers guarding the front left and front right side of the green. Tee shots must have enough carry to get over both and avoid a brutal shot from the sand.
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Analysis: Avoiding the traps in front of the green are obviously mission #1. After thinking about that, picking the right long iron is key. Landing in one of the bunkers will give you no room for error and a likely bogey.
No matter where the pin is placed, it might be smart to hit up about half a club. This hole is known to have swirling winds around the green so ending up long is much, much better than short.
#5 – Magnolia
Par 4, 495 yds
2018 Scoring Average: 4.16 (6th)
Magnolia is a recently lengthened par-4 that requires a carefully placed tee shot. The 5th went from 455 to 495 yards during the offseason. Expect this to be one of the toughest hole at the Masters this year.
A pair of fairway bunkers placed on the left side, just as the hole doglegs to the left, creates a challenge. A carry of 315 yards is needed to surpass the traps. Other than that the only true obstacle left is the deep bunker behind the green so focusing on the tee shot is priority number 1.
Analysis: As mentioned above, the 5th just added 40 more yards to its length. Playing it safe is probably the way to go here. I would strongly suggest trying to land a low-iron before the fairway bunkers instead of trying to outdrive them.
You better smash it perfectly straight down the middle if you want success with the driver on Magnolia. A long approach shot is more advantageous than a shot from the bunkers or worse, the trees. Players should be happy with a par on the 5th as it might end up top the scoring average list for 2019.
#6 – Juniper
Par 3, 180 yds
2018 Scoring Average: 3.13 (8th)
The 6th in our Masters hole-by-hole guide, nicknamed Juniper, is a short par-3 with an elevated green. The green has multiple dips and dives that create a tough putting surface so pin placement is important. The tough putting surface makes this hole no gimme.
Analysis: Juniper is fairly simple to play. Executing is the tough part. Don’t hit it short left and everything should be okay. The green itself is tough to navigate but as long as you hit it on you’ll be good. 180 yards for a pro should be no problem.
#7 – Pampas
Par 4, 450 yds
2018 Scoring Average: 4.21 (4th)
Pampas offers no margin for error when it comes to the tee shot. This is why it ranked 4th hardest in scoring average in 2018. The fairway is tight and has many uneven lies, forcing an uneasy approach. Add in the five bunkers that surround literally the entire green and you have yourself a problem.
Anaylsis: The best advice for Pampas is simple. Hit it straight. Although, the tee shot needs to be long enough to allow yourself a reasonable approach distance but it can’t veer too far one way.
Landing off the fairway almost guarantees you a bogey because of the sand-protected green. So, take a longer iron and hit it nice and easy down the middle and pray.
#8 – Yellow Jasmine
Par 5, 570 yds
2018 Scoring Average: 4.72 (16th)
The second longest hole and the second of the four par-5s is the 8th at Augusta, Yellow Jasmine. A single fairway bunker strategically placed on the right side of the hole forces golfers to bomb a drive over it to avoid trouble.
Although there is no sand around the deep, narrow green it is basically a blind uphill approach shot to reach in two.
Analysis: Yellow Jasmine is indeed a chance to gain a stroke, simply because it is a par 5. If the driver is working for you, try and smash a drive down the right-hand side and take a chance at eagle.
A long, blind approach stands in your way but without traps to worry about you should be okay. If you couldn’t tell already, the par-5s at Augusta are a huge piece to winning the green jacket and hosting the Masters Champions Dinner.
Related: The Past 20 Years of Masters Champions Dinners
#9 – Carolina Cherry
Par 4, 460 yds
2018 Scoring Average: 4.14 (7th)
A slightly long par-4, Carolina Cherry serves as a simple dogleg to the left. Its green is partially flanked with two bunkers on the left side, which can get in the way of an approach without a well-placed tee shot. The 9th is best known for its green that slopes from back to front.
Analysis: The final hole before the turn is really a simple hole. Hit a decent drive down the middle-right of the fairway and you’ll have nothing in your direct line to the green. Hit it anywhere to the left and you’ll have to add the greenside bunkers into your approach equation.
#10 – Camellia
Par 4, 495 yds
2018 Scoring Average: 4.08 (10th)
Don’t let this hole fool you with its 2018 scoring average. It may rank 10th in scoring but it is no easy task. Camellia boasts a giant fairway bunker a little before the green which scares golfers into landing on the fairway off the tee. The downhill slope and length of the hole can be overlooked.
A missed tee shot doesn’t give you much room to lay up in case your drive goes errant. For the approach, a long iron is likely needed to hit the green on this hole surrounded by tall pines.
Analysis: There is sufficient fairway width on Camellia to land a solid drive without going full power. Hit a driver off the tee and try and land the ball on the left-middle side.
That way when you’re hitting your second, the single greenside trap on the right won’t come into play as much. The green also slopes hard towards the front right so staying on the left is smart.
#11 – White Dogwood
Par 4, 505 yds
2018 Scoring Average: 4.40 (1st)
Welcome to Amen Corner – Golfers Beware!
Related: Amen Corner, A Definitive Guide
Technically Amen Corner runs from the approach shot on 11 until after the tee shot on the 13th. But for everyone’s sake let’s call it holes 11-13. White Dogwood is the first hole of Amen Corner and is consistently one of the toughest hole at the Masters each year.
This beast of a hole is not only tough to score on but it is the longest par 4 at Augusta. A thin, tree-lined tee shot must be long enough to get a good look at the green. If that doesn’t sound intimidating don’t forget about the fairway being heavily sloped right to left.
The sloped fairway will want to pull your approach shot to the pond lining the left side of the green. Oh, and if you think the right side of the green is safe, try again. A greenside bunker awaits you there.
Analysis: CAUTION CAUTION CAUTION!!! But seriously you should play for par here. Only 13 birdies were made on this hole out of 280 attempts in 2018 so don’t try and be a hero. We know what we’re talking about here in this hole-by-hole guide.
Focus on hitting two straight shots that can put you in a position somewhere in the vicinity of the green (not including the water). After that you’ll have to rely on luck for a birdie and maybe even a par.
#12 – Golden Bell
Par 3, 155 yds
2018 Scoring Average: 3.11 (9th)
The second hole of Amen Corner, Golden Bell, is one of the most aesthetically pleasing holes in all of golf. Although this is a very short par-3, the green’s location is a big challenge for the professionals.
The 12th hole’s shallow green is sandwiched between sand behind and Rae’s Creek in front. At one point it’s only 9 feet in depth! The front edge of the green also slopes towards the water, which can be scary to think about from the tee.
The wind on Golden Bell can be hard to judge by players because of its location on the golf course. It is common for the swirling winds on the 11th green to be blowing in a different direction than the 12th even though they are a measly 50 yards away.
Analysis: I would suggest hitting a half-club up off the tee on the 12th at Augusta. This hole may be short, but it is no joke and has stolen the green jacket away from many players in the past, most recently Jordan Spieth in 2016.
Related: Will 2019 be Jordan Spieth’s Comeback Year?
Hitting a little deep and landing in the trap shouldn’t be a impossible task for the professionals to make par. An up and down from there is doable. What isn’t doable is recovering from dropping a ball in Rae’s creek.
Short it’s wet. Long it’s in the sand. You decide what’s worse when a green jacket is on the line. Play it safe.
#13 – Azalea
Par 5, 510 yds
2018 Scoring Average: 4.61 (18th)
After the challenging 11th and 12th, Azalea offers a chance at redemption. The 13th at Augusta plays as the easiest hole at the Masters historically, as well as last year. Azalea is a dogleg that turns almost 90 degrees from the tee to the approach shot.
Since it is a short par-5, the 13th is easily reachable in two shots with a solid first shot. Water runs in front of the green, waiting for a short approach shot. The front side of the green tilts toward the water, creating an extra hurdle for golfers to worry about.
Analysis: Label a driver down the middle and just make sure to hit enough distance to clear the water prior to the green. Pretty much as simple as that. It’s the easiest hole on the course for a reason.
This is a wide-open shot at eagle. No questions asked. A decent drive sets you up to fire at the pin on the second shot. How often do you get a chance to pin seek at a par-5 pin on shot #2? Take advantage of this.
#14 – Chinese Fir
Par 4, 440 yds
2018 Scoring Average: 4.06 (12th)
Chinese Fir, the 14th in our hole-by-hole guide at Augusta, is in between the two easiest holes on the course in 13 and 15. 14 is the only hole on the course without a bunker. The severe green is the big issue on this hole.
The fairway slopes hard to the right causing most players to put away the driver and go with the 3-wood. A long shot could end up deflecting to the right into trouble. Often, players either end up with a short birdie putt or a challenging two-putt due to the obscure green.
Analysis: The tee shot, and approach shot aren’t a huge issue for Chinese Fir. Focus on the green. Depending on where the pin is, you’ll have to decide whether you’re going to go for the pin or not. Otherwise, just pick a spot on the green and try and find a simple putt.
#15 – Firethorn
Par 5, 530 yds
2018 Scoring Average: 4.67 (17th)
Firethorn is another short par 5, like the 13th. Firethorn played as the second easiest hole at the Masters tournament last year. This hole is going to surrender a lot of birdies every year due to its length.
There is a pond that lies in front of the green that is there to check the golfers that feel the need to go for the green in two.
Analysis: Firethorn is just like Azalea in that you need to take advantage of it. The par-5s at Augusta are the key to success so making anything less than a birdie here is a disappointment.
Hit a driver down the right-center of the fairway and you should have a little over 200 yards left to the green. With the downhill nature of the hole, a low-iron or hybrid you land you safely over the pond and a legitimate shot at birdie or eagle.
#16 – Redbud
Par 3, 170 yds
2018 Scoring Average: 3.03 (13th)
This little par-3 requires only a short-to-medium iron and is the easiest par-3 on the course in terms of scoring average. Redbud is guarded by a pond that sits alongside the left side of the green. The putting surface dramatically slopes so being below the hole is a huge advantage for players.
Redbud can have a flair for dramatics as it is the last hole that can labelled as a birdie opportunity with 17 and 18 up next. Tiger Woods made his famous chip in from the fringe on the 16th green back in 2005.
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Analysis: As mentioned above, an easy iron should get you on to the putting surface. What separates the birdies from the pars after you land it is the green itself.
If you don’t place your shot in a location that is below the hole, good luck. You’ll leave yourself with a lightning fast putt that could end up in a 3-putt.
#17 – Nandina
Par 4, 440 yds
2018 Scoring Average: 4.17 (5th)
A demanding tee shot, and firm green makes Nandina a challenging second-to-last hole at the Masters. Ranked as the 5th toughest hole in terms of scoring, the 17th brings the challenge back after an easy stretch on the back 9.
Two greenside bunkers are set in front of the green, making it difficult for players who are trying to make up ground at this point in the round.
Analysis: 17 really is an odd hole. It doesn’t appear to be too hard but in reality, it always plays hard for the golfers. The tee shot shouldn’t be too much of a problem but landing the green with an easy two-putt is uncommon.
I suggest playing this one safe and not going for a pin seeker on the approach. Settling for par is probably your best, unless obviously you can’t afford to at this point in the tournament.
#18 – Holly
Par 4, 465 yds
2018 Scoring Average: 4.10 (10th)
To close out our hole-by-hole guide we take you to the finishing hole at Augusta National, Holly. This hole boasts one of the most iconic gallery shots in golf from the tee box. The bystanders create a gauntlet that the golfers must hit between in order to strike the fairway.
There are two bunkers next to the green, but they usually don’t tend to scare golfers too much. The issue is more with the approach shot since the green is roughly 7% higher up that the fairway.
Analysis: Holly is deceivingly hard. This is especially true because it is the final hole of the biggest golf tournament of the year. It’s a mental game on the 18th as well.
If the driver isn’t doing so hot, then it might be time to downgrade to a 3-wood to increase accuracy. Missing the fairway on Holly is the biggest mistake you can make due to the trees that line the 18th.
