Augusta National has finally constructed a new back-tee measuring 545 yards. This will add 35 yards to the famous hole at the Masters Tournament.
The 13th hole is a great risk-reward hole in golf. Bobby Jones, Alister MacKenzie’s design assistant, said that it should be a “momentous choice”. It was originally 480 yards long when the Masters began in 1934. The Masters 2022 Masters saw it grow to 510 yards. However, this distance is much shorter than the par-4s of major championship golf.
Bubba Watson, Rory McIlroy, and Rory McIlroy are able to hit balls over the trees protecting the dogleg-left green. Sometimes they can even hit it far enough to leave a wedge or a short iron for the second shot to reach the green. The 13th hole was the third most difficult on the course at 2022 Masters. It is only slightly harder than the front-nine par-5s.
Augusta National bought a piece of land from Augusta Country Club in 2017. It was actually part of the hole on Augusta’s neighboring course, iMastng. Augusta Country Club had to change its layout in order to accommodate the sale. Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley stated that there is no timeline for the land to be used as a new tee, but also suggested that 13 might be changing.
It is done…
Augusta National finally extended the 13th green.
No. 13 – Azalea – Par: 5
1934 yardage: 480
2022 yardage: 510
2023 yardage: ?? ?( (c)19NOV2022 David Dobbins/EurekaEarth)#EurekaEarth #NotDrone #Tetelestai #IYKYI pic.twitter.com/K229zPGtNX
— Eureka Earth(r), (@EurekaEarthPlus November 22, 2022
Ridley stated that Bobby Jones has a great quote about the 13th hole. He said that the decision not to play for the green in 2 should be one of the most important. “And I would say that our observations of these great golfers hitting short and middle irons into that hole are not a momentous one.”
He said, “From our point of view, we will always do whatever is necessary to preserve the integrity and beauty of our golf course.”
More than 20 pros were surveyed, including former Masters champions, major winners and former World No. We asked more than two dozen pros – including past Masters champions, major winners, and World Golf Hall of Famers – what would you change about the 13th hole if you were in charge?
