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Iconic green ‘completely destroyed’ as drama awaits at Masters’ toughest hole – hole-by-hole guide to Augusta National

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The 2025 Masters is nearly upon us as golf’s best wade through Firethorn and Holly in pursuit of a green jacket.

The traditions and pageantry of Augusta National already make it a sporting highlight, and that’s without factoring in the stunning visuals.

It costs a lot of money to play at the course that hosts The Masters
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The Masters, which kickstarts golf’s grand slam season each year, is also home to some of the most famous holes in the entire sport.

However, Augusta suffered ‘catastrophic’ damage from Hurricane Helene in September, with severe flooding and fallen trees.

Fortunately, club chairman Fred Ridley has since confirmed the course looks in ‘spectacular condition’ again.

There have not been any course changes for the 2025 tournament, so with that in mind, here’s a hole-by-hole guide to Augusta National.

1st (Tea Olive), 445 yards, par four

A deep bunker on the right of the fairway and trees on both sides make for a daunting start, while the long and left of the undulating green both spell big trouble. 

Played the hardest hole on the course in 2012 and again in 2017, so it’s always a tricky start.

2024 average: 4.208 (rank 7)

2nd (Pink Dogwood), 585 yards, par five

Last year’s new tee added 10 yards to a hole, which cost Padraig Harrington a nine in 2009, but Louis Oosthuizen memorably holed his second shot for an albatross in the final round in 2012. 

An important early birdie chance and the easiest hole in 2016, 2020 and 2023.

2024 average: 4.658 (rank 17)

Oosthuizen sent the crowd around the second green wild
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3rd (Flowering Peach), 350 yards, par four

It is the shortest par four on the course, but a pear-shaped green with a steep slope in front allows for some wicked pin positions. 

Charl Schwartzel pitched in for eagle in the final round en route to the title in 2011, while Scottie Scheffler chipped in from an impossible position before winning in 2022.

2024 average: 3.933 (rank 15)

4th (Flowering Crab Apple), 240 yards, par three

The back tee – not always used – turns it into a beast, with the green sloping from back to front. 

Phil Mickelson took six in the final round in 2012 and finished two shots outside the play-off. Jeff Sluman’s ace in 1992 remains the only hole-in-one.

2024 average: 3.265 (rank 5)

5th (Magnolia), 495 yards, par four

Jack Nicklaus twice holed his second shot in 1995, and Colin Montgomerie did it in 2000, but it is another devilishly difficult green. 

To clear the fairway, bunkers require a 315-yard carry, and the hole was lengthened by 40 yards for 2019.

2024 average: 4.302 (rank 3)

6th (Juniper), 180 yards, par three

From a high tee to a green with huge slopes in it, the pin positions are vital to how this hole plays.

There have been five holes-in-one – including Jamie Donaldson in 2013 – but Jose Maria Olazabal took seven in 1991 and lost by one to Ian Woosnam.

2024 average: 3.097 (rank 12)

The Masters is an iconic event on the sporting calendar
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7th (Pampas), 450 yards, par four

What used to be a real birdie chance has been lengthened by 40 yards, while trees were also added and the putting surface reshaped. 

A very narrow fairway and more bunkers – five – around the green than any other hole.

2024 average: 4.195 (rank 9)

8th (Yellow Jasmine), 570 yards, par five

The bunker on the right, about 300 yards out, pushes players left, and from there, it is harder to find the green in two up the steep hill. 

Bruce Devlin made an albatross here in 1967 while there have been countless highlights of players using the humps and bumps around the green to get it close – or in.

2024 average: 4.641 (rank 18)

9th (Carolina Cherry), 460 yards, par four

The raised green, with two bunkers on the left, tilts sharply from the back, and anything rolling off the front can continue down for 50-60 yards.

Another hole where the pin placement dictates much of the strategy and expect plenty of birdies to Sunday’s famous hole position behind the slope.

2024 average: 4.030 (rank 13)

10th (Camellia), 495 yards, par four

There is a 100-foot drop from tee to green on this dogleg left, and over all the years of the Masters, this has been the second most difficult hole.

It was here that Rory McIlroy began to fall apart in 2011 with a seven, while Bubba Watson clinched the title in 2012 by making par with a snap hook from the trees in the play-off.

2024 average: 4.248 (rank 6)

11th (White Dogwood), 520 yards, par four

The start of Amen Corner and the toughest hole in last year’s event, players must avoid the water left of the green.

Best remembered for Larry Mize’s chip-in in 1987 and Nick Faldo’s back-to-back play-off wins.

2024 average: 4.386 (rank 1)

Hole 12 is one of the world’s most famous golf holes
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Woods was brutally undone by the 12th in 2020
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12th (Golden Bell), 155 yards, par three

Probably the most famous par three in world golf and the scene of many disasters.

With the narrow target, water in front, trouble at the back and swirling wind, it has seen everything from a one to Tom Weiskopf’s 13 in 1980. 

Defending champion Jordan Spieth took seven in the final round in 2016 in a dramatic back-nine collapse, and Tiger Woods made 10 in the final round in 2020.

2024 average: 3.198 (rank 8)

13th (Azalea), 545 yards, par five

The end of Amen Corner sees this massive dogleg left, lengthened by 35 yards for 2023, with a tilted fairway and creek guarding the green.

Phil Mickelson hits one of the great Augusta shots from the pinestraw at the 2010 Masters before claiming glory.

2024 average: 4.758 (rank 16)

14th (Chinese Fir), 440 yards, par four

The only hole on the course without a bunker, but three putts are common on the wickedly difficult green.

Course-record holder Nick Price took eight here in 1993, while Mickelson holed his approach en route to his 2010 victory.

2024 average: 4.171 (rank 10)

15th (Firethorn), 550 yards, par five

Often, it’s a tough decision whether to go for the green in two with a pond covering the front of the green and a tricky slope and more water lurking behind.

Gene Sarazen sank his 235-yard four-wood shot for an albatross in 1935, but there have also been three 11s here.

2024 average: 5.007 (rank 14)

AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 14: Scottie Scheffler of the United States plays his shot from the bunker on the 15th hole during the final round of the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 14, 2024 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Even Firethorn has caught out double champion Scheffler
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16th (Redbud), 170 yards, par three

Woods’ memorable chip-in in 2005 came the same year as 73-year-old Billy Casper’s 14, while Ian Poulter, Shane Lowry and Tommy Fleetwood are among the players to record holes-in-one.

Past Masters Champion Patrick Reed recently revealed that its green ‘was completely destroyed’ and rebuilt in the recent Hurricane Helene. 

2024 average: 3.158 (rank 11)

17th (Nandina), 440 yards, par four

The famous Eisenhower Tree was removed after suffering storm damage, making for an easier tee shot on the hole Justin Rose double-bogeyed when one off the lead in 2007.

Nicklaus birdied here to take the lead as he won his 18th major in 1986, but a tough penultimate hole for leaders and chasers alike.

2024 average: 4.285 (rank 4)

18th (Holly), 465 yards, par four

The drive was made much harder when the tee was moved back 60 yards in 2002, and 2023 champion Jon Rahm failed to reach the fairway in the final round after pulling his drive into the trees.

The fairway bunker from which Sandy Lyle got up and down to win in 1988 is now 300 yards away.

2024 average: 4.366 (rank 2)

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