Every April, thousands of seasoned and first-time patrons descend on the country’s most heralded golf grounds, Augusta National, for the Masters Tournament. Seeing the look on people’s faces when they first step foot on the course is something that will never get old. I’d venture to say that for roughly 99 percent of the people there, this is one of the best days of their life.
It can also be surprisingly stressful. There’s so much adrenaline and pent-up anticipation that you can be overwhelmed trying to decide where to go or what to do once you switch from the entrance pavement to the course’s perfectly manicured grass. For some, it’s finding and following Tiger (or Rory, Scottie, Rickie, etc.). Others, realizing they may get only one chance in their life to see Augusta, want to spend the entire day walking every corner of the course. (Amen to that.)
In the frantic hustle-and-bustle of it all, sometimes you just want to stop and smell the azaleas. I’m fortunate to have been to a few Masters Tournaments and have gotten a feel for where I want to spend a little extra time watching the action while diving into a pimento cheese sandwich.
Here are my favorite spots to do just that at Augusta.
4th Tee
The area behind Augusta’s first par three, known as “Flowering Crab Apple,” offers 180-degree viewing of some seriously fun shots in the early stages of a competitor’s round. It’s particularly exhilarating when the tee is all the way back on the 240-yard 4th. Turn to your left and you’ll see the approach shots and putts at the short par-four 3rd; turn all the way around and you can watch players who took a good line off the 2nd tee attempt to reach the first par five in two. Don’t miss the chance to use the complimentary phones in the woods right of the 2nd fairway to dial a loved one, who is bound to be confused by an incoming call from an unknown number in Augusta, Ga.
6th Tee
Like the 4th hole, the tee box at “Juniper,” the par-three 6th, is a great hangout for spectators with multiple holes in sight. The 180-yard dropshot is engaging in its own right. But from here you can also watch players wrap up the previous hole, “Magnolia,” one of Augusta’s toughest par fours. Additionally, you will quickly identify that you’re perched on the hill to the left and above the 16th hole, “Redbud,” which puts you in perfect position to see balls funnel from right to left on the green at the course’s final par three, while also overlooking the approach into the par-five 15th, “Firethorn.”
10th Hole
If there’s one hole at Augusta that draws me in with the same type of pheromones as Amen Corner, it’s the par-four 10th, historically the course’s toughest test. The tee shot at “Camellia,” plunging blindly downhill and encouraging a sweeping right-to-left shot shape, is instantly recognizable to any casual Masters viewer. Carry on down the hill, preferably left of the fairway, and get the player’s view on the approach to the elevated putting surface over the 60-yard-long “MacKenzie Bunker.” Then, go to the back of the green to get the alternate angle from some of those second shots coming in. Though the 11th tee and 14th green are nearby, there is a special seclusion to this part of the property.
12th Tee
You’re not going to not venture to Amen Corner at some point during your day. Whether you’re in the grandstands, standing, or parked in a green chair behind the tee at Augusta National’s most famous hole, this is a place you simply don’t want to breeze by. From here, you have a perfect view of the 11th green; “Golden Bell,” Rae’s Creek, and the Ben Hogan Bridge in all its glory; and the 13th tee pitched back into the woods right of the 12th green. There are restrooms, concessions, and merchandise booths conveniently located behind you, so you need not worry about venturing far from your post.
Close your eyes. Breath deeply. Be present, and thankful. Open them—you’re at Amen Corner at the Masters, and it’s everything you dreamed it would be.
In the Woods on the 13th Hole
If “Golden Bell” is the No. 1 attraction at Augusta National, the 13th hole, “Azalea,” is 1-A. From this spot in the trees at the bend of the dogleg par five, you almost feel as if you’re spying on the competitors as they make their “momentous decision”—whether they try to fly it over Rae’s Creek for a good chance at eagle. The grandstands adjacent to the 14th tee, staring down upon the 13th green, should be your next stop before continuing your journey.
Honorable Mention
1st Green
Patrons who enjoy walking every hole at Augusta National in chronological order get a taste of how severe the course’s greens are right out of the gate and quickly realize how good a score of par is on the par-four opener.
Behind the 2nd and 7th Greens
There’s a substantial area for patrons to roam and get a quality view of the action on five different holes from one general spot—including the approach shots into the popular par-five 2nd, the par-four 7th, and the par-four 17th, as well as the tee shots on the par-four 3rd and par-five 8th.
18th Tee
You can’t fathom exactly how tight of a window there is to hit through on Augusta’s closing tee shot until you stand at the back of the box.
If you’ve ever been to the Masters, where was your favorite place to watch? Give us your thoughts in the comment section.
