Rory McIlroy’s Key Holes at Augusta National
Hole 1 – Par 4 – 445 yards – Tea Olive
It is imperative to get off to a good start at Augusta and this a tough hole to try and achieve that. You want to make a four there each of the four days to set up your round. There are some easier par fours, the third hole for example, but others like the first are completely different.
Of course, it’s a drive off the tee but then it’s not like you are hitting in here with a wedge, as you will have a mid-short iron in your hand. You don’t want to get too bold on the 1st. If the pin is on the left hand side and you miss it left, for example, it is going to be a good effort to get away with a five.
Augusta National – 1st hole.
Hole 5 – Par 4 – 455 yards – Magnolia
I feel like the front nine is the tougher nine and 1st , 5th and also the 7th are the toughest ones where par will be a very good score. Hitting off the 5th is not the hardest tee shot on the course but then you need to hit it up the right side.
However it’s the second shot that makes this hole difficult no matter where the pin is because you have to try and get the ball on the right level of the green. The green itself is so slopey and full of little hollows. If you misjudge one a little and it comes up short then you have that massive hill to play over before even reaching the putting surface.
Augusta National 5th hole
Hole 18 – Par 4 – 465 yards – Holly
There are plenty of reasons why the 18th hole is an important hole and not because this can be where the Masters is won or lost.
You don’t want to finish your round badly as you could be playing it on Sunday with a chance to win the tournament.
You have to try and get the ball up onto the right level of the green, and you also cannot afford to miss the green. So it is a really strong golf hole. You hit a good drive up the fairway that still leaves you with a 7-iron or 8-iron into a narrow green where anything left will end up in the sand.
Augusta National 18th hole
