The Most Famous Holes at Augusta National
Augusta National has 18 holes, but the tournament usually comes down to about six of them. If you're watching The Masters or following your pool picks, these are the ones to pay attention to.
No. 12 -- Golden Bell (Par 3, 155 yards)
The most famous par 3 in golf. It's short, but the green is narrow and shallow, and the wind swirls through the trees in ways that are almost impossible to read. The ball is in the air for maybe four seconds, and in that time the wind can move it 10-15 yards.
The water in front is Rae's Creek. Guys who go in there often make double or triple, and it can end a tournament run in one swing. In 2020, this hole cost a few guys their chances on Sunday -- the water claimed five balls in the final round.
Short and to the right is the safe play. Most guys who win The Masters don't try to be a hero here.
No. 13 -- Azalea (Par 5, 510 yards)
The second hole of Amen Corner and one of the best risk-reward holes in golf. A good drive around the corner of the dogleg leaves a mid-iron into the green, but Rae's Creek runs right in front. Go for it in two and make eagle, or lay up and try to get up and down for birdie.
This is where guys make moves on the weekend. The difference between eagle and bogey here is five shots, and that swing can change the entire leaderboard.
No. 11 -- White Dogwood (Par 4, 520 yards)
The start of Amen Corner. A long par 4 with water left of the green. The approach shot is one of the hardest on the course -- the pond pulls everything toward it, and bailing out right leaves a tough up-and-down.
This is where Larry Mize chipped in to beat Greg Norman in '87. It's a hole that rewards players who can handle the pressure of hitting a precise approach with water staring at them.
No. 15 -- Firethorn (Par 5, 530 yards)
Reachable in two for most of the field. The pond in front of the green makes the second shot interesting -- go for the green and you can make eagle, but come up short and you're looking at bogey or worse.
Gene Sarazen made a double eagle here in 1935 (the "Shot Heard 'Round the World"). These days it's an eagle hole for the long hitters, and it's where trailing players try to make up ground on Sunday.
No. 16 -- Redbud (Par 3, 170 yards)
The hole where you see the most highlight-reel shots. The green slopes hard from right to left, and the Sunday pin position is always back-left, which means guys land their tee shots 30 feet right and watch them funnel down toward the hole.
Tiger's chip-in on 16 in 2005 might be the most replayed shot in Masters history. The ball sat on the lip for a full second before dropping. This hole produces at least one or two roars per round.
No. 18 -- Holly (Par 4, 465 yards)
An uphill par 4 that plays longer than it looks. The drive is tight -- trees left, bunkers right -- and the approach is uphill to a green that slopes away from the player.
It's not the hardest hole on the course, but it's the last one. When a guy needs par to win or birdie to force a playoff, every shot on 18 feels different. The walk up the hill with the crowd lining both sides is the most iconic finish in golf.
Amen Corner
Holes 11, 12, and 13 together make up Amen Corner. The name comes from a 1958 Sports Illustrated article, and it's where The Masters is won and lost. More tournament swings have happened in this three-hole stretch than anywhere else in golf.
If your pool pick gets through Amen Corner on Sunday without dropping a shot, that's a good sign.
Why It Matters for Your Pool
Understanding the course helps you evaluate your picks. Guys who are long off the tee have an advantage on the par 5s (13 and 15), where eagles are available. Guys with great short games survive Amen Corner better.
When you're watching the leaderboard move during the tournament, most of the action happens on these holes. Check your pool leaderboard after the leaders come through Amen Corner on Sunday -- that's usually when things get interesting.