Five top spots to watch Masters at Augusta National
AUGUSTA, Ga. — The topography is breathtaking. The action is incessant. The roars rock the tall pines.
Augusta National is one of the world’s iconic sports venues and the Masters Tournament never seems to disappoint.
Everyone who’s walked the grounds has go-to spots. The fondness for specific areas may be fueled by personal memories or landmark moments they’ve watched on TV or read about over the years.
Here are five places you must visit:
12th tee
Park your chair on the lawn or grab a seat in the grandstand and you’ll be in the heart of Amen Corner, one of the most famous, picturesque and historic locations in sports.
In addition to the shortest and most dangerous par-3 on the property, the 11th green and 13th tee are within view.
The 12th hole is the only hole on the course without patrons near the green, so reactions to cheers for made putts and groans are eerily delayed.
You would have seen: Larry Mize’s famous playoff chip-in at No. 11 to beat Greg Norman (1987); Fred Couples’ ball miraculously clinging to the bank of the water in front of No. 12 (1992).
No. 15 green/16 tee
Although not as famous as Amen Corner, post up here Sunday. The upper portion of the grandstands to the left of the 15th green offers a spectacular view of the action on the par-5 and the par-3 16th. You will see everything from a hole-in-one to dream crushing mistakes.
You would have seen: Gene Sarazen’s double eagle (1935) and Tiger Woods’ questionable drop (2013) on No. 15; Jack Nicklaus’ famous “the Bear has come out of hibernation (as called by a young Jim Nantz)” birdie (1986) and Woods’ Nike ball hanging over the edge of the cup before falling (2005) on No. 16.
No. 6 green
The most underrated hole at Augusta National. This beautiful par-3 featured a dramatic downhill tee shot and a green that appears to have an elephant buried beneath the surface.
You would have seen: Billy Joe Patton’s final-round ace (1954).
No. 11 tee
Want to get a taste of just how difficult Amen Corner can be? Take a hike back to the 11th tee box of the 505-yard par-4. The toughest hole on the course begins with the most difficult tee shot. Tucked into a corner of the property near the famous white cabins, this spot is rarely populated by patrons.
You would have seen: The beginning of quintuple-bogey 9s by four players (Dow Finsterwald, 1952; Bo Wininger, 1958; William G. Moody III, 1980; Charles Howell III, 2006).
No. 18 green
Speaks for itself. These days, outside of a playoff ending at No. 10, you will see the tournament end here. Get here when the gates open, put a chair down and come and go as you please. This is great theater.
You would have seen: Among the great moments are Arnold Palmer’s birdie to win his second Green Jacket (1960), Phil Mickelson’s leap (2004), Adam Scott roar in the rain (2013).
Lang writes for the Shreveport Times, part of the Paste BN NETWORK.