Through the colder months, golfers across the northern hemisphere look towards The Masters as heralding new beginnings and possibilities. It may not be the first professional event of the year, far from it, but it represents the start of the golfing season as many of us mere mortals recognise it. The sight of those verdant fairways, blooming azaleas and familiar creeks and bridges triggers our desire to hit the course in improving weathers with a fresh zeal for the game. Augusta delivers a much-needed tonic at the end of a trying winter.
There has been significant uncertainty in golf over the past year or so with the disruption caused by LIV Golf, but The Masters remains a reassuring constant. Magnolia Drive, the Green Jackets, the Butler Cabin – it’s elite golf as we know and cherish it. The BBC may no longer value the year’s first Major, having given up coverage rights, but we certainly do, and you’ll be able to follow comprehensive coverage of the action at golfmonthly.com for the full week. Meanwhile, let’s consider all things Augusta in our preview of the 87th Masters Tournament...
The course
Designed by the great Dr Alister MacKenzie, Augusta National is the most recognisable golf course in the world. Those who have viewed The Masters over the years, either live or on the TV, know the challenges that wait – the holes where birdies and eagles are possible and those where disasters must be avoided.
It’s a significantly undulating layout with a difference of some 152 feet between the high point, the 10th tee, and the low point, the 12th green.
This story is from the April 2023 edition of Golf Monthly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 2023 edition of Golf Monthly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
"I'm just trying to inspire people to play golf”
Golf Monthly meets social media sensation Mia Baker, who is on a mission to get more people into golf... and smiling all the way
A PLACE ΤΟ YOURSELF
Jeremy Ellwood discovers the Old Millhouse in Dalkeith to be the perfect away-from-it-all base for exploring the East Lothian coast's many fine links
Border patrol
Andy Wright ventures due east from his Troon base for a stay at Macdonald Hotels' Cardrona resort in the Borders near Peebles
Moortown
Golf fans know that Dr Alister Mackenzie was the man responsible for Augusta National; many will also be aware that the surgeon-turned-course architect first honed his design skills on his home patch close to Leeds.
Rickie Fowler
The 34-year-old American is back in form and eager to share his favourite tee-to-green tips
How to cure the chipping yips
INSTRUCTION - SAVE PAR
Beef up your ball flight
INSTRUCTION - FAULT FIXER
HYBRID MASTERCLASS
Top 50 Coach Lysa Jones explains how to make the most of this versatile club
The great debate
Nick Bonfield explores the concept of greatness in professional golf and ponders how it should be defined
BREAKING the mould
To mark shoe giant FootJoy's 100th anniversary, Neil Tappin flies out to its HQ near Boston to find out more about the brand's past and future, before setting up tent in the buzzing campsite it sponsors at The Open