The entrance to the 2nd Green at Augusta National has been widened by 8 feet.
The anticipation growing in the pit of my stomach for this years’ Masters. At least, I think that’s what it is… it could also be the Thai food I ate for dinner.
Thai food aside, the excitement is growing by the minute, and as April draws near, I find myself reading (and watching) more Masters goodness than a guy can handle. Earlier today, I was poking around the Golf Channel when I came across the Shag Bag Blog (If you’ve never read it, I highly recommend). One quick post in particular that I came across was by Rex Hoggard, and it touched upon the changes (or lack thereof) to Augusta National this year.
The changes to the course for the 2010 edition of the Masters are surprisingly small… in fact, some would even consider them surprising. The 2nd hole has had the entry to the green widened by 8 feet. This should make for more birdies and eagles at the 575 yard par 5. Also worth noting is the fact that the 5th and 13th teeboxes have been extended… FORWARD. I had to do a double-take the first time I read that! But it’s true! The fifth is a challenging dogleg left par 4 at 455 yards. The 13th of course is one of the most famous par 5’s the world over, measuring 510 yards. The extension of the teeing areas forward on these holes should make for shorter approach shots on 5, and more green-hitting attempts on the par 5 13th.
In the end, we know we’re not going to see the tees forward very much… But if and when we do, we can count on more birdies and eagles than we’re used to seeing. We could be in for a real treat at The Masters this year, weather pending 🙂
