Changes at Augusta National over the years

[BrettM]

Masters time shortly, so here is a link showing the changes to Augusta over the years:

http://www.golfdigest.com/golf-courses/georgia/augusta-changes

If you have read 'The Making of the Masters', you might be able to put up the photo of the 8th green in 1957. Truly horrible stuff at the time.

[kar]

Interesting stuff.

[WBennett]

Can we have a comparison of the Old Course from 1900 to now as well?

[PeteyD]

I like that page. Lots of interesting things.

[dc68]

Mmmmmmm... take me back.

[markTHEblake]

This is brilliant Brett, Not many people would know that the 10th and 11th were quite different holes in the orginal design. If you look at the overhead shots of these two holes before the recent tree planting you can still see the obvious routing for 11 and it makes sense of the fairway bunker on 10 that none of the pros ever go into.

The most recent lengthening changes are insignificant compared to that.

I think I have that book, "the Making of the Masters" I'll have a look in the archives.

[BrettM]

Add 16 to that list as well MTB.

When I was there in 1996 the ladies tee on 11 would be right behind 10 green with the dogleg in play.

Am planning to go back for the tournament in the next year or so. I get free access to all majors and PGA Tour events, including Augusta any day I want :mrgreen:

Who said greenkeeping doesn't have its perks.......

[razaar]

"Making of the Masters" was a good read. Some friends purchased a copy at the 2010 Masters and were kind enough to lend it to me. Your post is a reminder to get my own copy. Clifford Roberts was an interesting individual. I have heard that Royal Melbourne is a better design and course than Augusta National.

[markTHEblake]

If you have read 'The Making of the Masters', you might be able to put up the photo of the 8th green in 1957. Truly horrible stuff at the time.

This photo is probably before the 1956 changes

11035

However this is the shocker you are talking about. Reminds me of a typical country qld couch green built in the 60's

11036

[BrettM]

That's the one.

[Bruce]

Dammit - I should have read further down the thread before scanning the pic.

It looks like the typical 'green' converted from a sandscrape on a small country track.

[PeteyD]

Oh my. That is rather awful.

[markTHEblake]

Dammit - I should have read further down the thread before scanning the pic.

and breaking the spine in the book as well ? stuffed if i was going to scan it. The book wasnt cheap.

[Greeny]

The Golf Digest link is fantastic. One for true golf nerds. I had no idea the 16th for example, used to run in a different direction!

[Bruce]

and breaking the spine in the book as well ? stuffed if i was going to scan it. The book wasnt cheap.
I got mine secondhand from Brotherhood Books - cheap at $5. No spine issues on a paperback though.

It is something of a Cliff Roberts hagiography though.

[kpac]

It's sad that the common theme is narrowing the fairways...
In fairness though a lot of the "great" holes were exceptional though the ages.
The changes to the 12th were the addition of dandelions!
I heard some report last year that, the quality of the golf coarse is far 2nd'ry to the quality of the tournament history.