Augusta National, venue for The Masters, is regarded as a very tricky course - and it's why a rookie hasn't slipped on the Green Jacket since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979.
It's critical to know the intricacies and danger of each hole on the layout, and avoid big numbers on the most demanding holes as well as the water that lurks on many, too.
So, which holes are the hardest at Augusta National? And which are the easiest?
The toughest hole in Masters history is the 11th hole, and the 10th is the second-toughest in what is a very demanding opening to the back nine. In fact, the 12th is the fourth-hardest, meaning that the three of the four most difficult holes take place within a four-hole stretch to start the closing half.
The 520 yard par 4 11th, which doglegs right and plays to a green guarded by water left, has played an average of 0.303 over par through the years, with the 10th just behind at +0.299.
The iconic 12th, which plays over Rae's Creek with its green hidden from the wind that swirls above the pine trees, has an average score of 3.270.
Despite measuring just 155 yards, the par 3 12th is one of the trickiest holes on the course
The third-most difficult hole is also a par 3, coming at the 4th hole. The 240 yard downhiller has a big green but it's a sloping one that's guarded by two huge bunkers left and short, right. It has played at 4.284 through the years at The Masters.
The easiest holes at Augusta are the four par 5s, which is where players need to make their score if they're to have success at The Masters. The 13th, Azalea, is statistically the easiest, followed by the 2nd, the 15th and the 8th.
Amen Corner, seen from above, is a very difficult three-hole stretch at Augusta National
While the 4th is the toughest par 3, and the 12th is almost as difficult for the world's best, the easiest short hole is the 6th. The 180-yarder, named Juniper, has a very demanding green but does play much shorter due to it being downhill. It has a score of +0.137 throughout Masters history, ranking it as the 13th-toughest hole.
The easiest par 4, statistically, is the 3rd hole - which is the shortest par 4 on the course and the only par 4 under 400 yards at Augusta National. It has an average score of 4.076 through the years.
Augusta National hardest holes:
(Ranked in order of toughest to easiest, +/- indicates score to par over Masters history)
- 1st. 11th hole, par 4: +0.303
- 2nd. 10th hole, par 4: +0.299
- 3rd. 4th hole, par 3: +0.284
- 4th. 12th hole par 3: +0.270
- 5th. 5th hole, par 4: +0.266
- 6th. 1st hole, par 4: +0.238
- 7th. 18th hole, par 4: +0.230
- 8th. 14th hole, par 4: +0.165
- 9th. 17th hole, par 4: +0.161
- 10th. 7th hole, par 4: +0.157
- 11th. 16th hole, par 3: +0.139
- 12th. 9th hole, par 4: +0.138
- 13th. 6th hole, par 3: +0.137
- 14th. 3rd hole, par 4: +0.076
- 15th. 8th hole, par 5: -0.181
- 16th. 15th hole, par 5: -0.224
- 17th. 2nd hole, par 5: -0.225
- 18th. 13th hole, par 5: -0.225
Which are the easiest holes at Augusta National?
Historically, in terms of score-to-par, the four par 5s at Augusta National have proved the easiest to score well on. The four longest holes are also the only holes on which the average score is below par.
The 13th hole, which finishes the Amen Corner stretch, has historically been the best scoring hole, with an average score of 4.775 (-0.225) through the years.
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