Augusta, an evolution not a revolution
Augusta National Golf Club has made major headlines in the last few years with its efforts to “Tiger Proof” the course. Rough has been added, fairways narrowed with trees, and the course significantly lengthened in an effort to return the original shot values envisioned by its creators, Robert Tyre Jones, Jr. (aka Bobby Jones) and Alistair Mackenzie. This effort has generated a great deal of discussion and not a little controversy. However, if you look at the history of the course you will realize that this effort is just part of the continuing evolution of the course, not a revolution.
Since it’s inception, Augusta National has consistently made changes to keep the course up to date. All golf courses evolve over time. The greens usually shrink in size from mowers gradually changing the line of cut. Bunker lips rise from the sand being blasted out of them. Greens contours are raised and slightly modified from continual top-dressing.
Unlike many clubs, Augusta has not been hesitant to modify the course to make it better or to address changes in the game of golf. The difference is Augusta addresses some of these issues every year where most clubs wait many years before they decide something must be done. Sometimes the changes can be virtually unnoticeable to the golfer – drainage is added, greens are rebuilt yet they maintain the original contours. Other times, the changes have a profound impact on the look and playability of the course.
If we go back in time, there were several significant changes to the original layout that probably were almost as significant as the efforts of the last few years; however because we live in the era of media scrutiny, every detail of these latest changes are certainly more widely discussed and recognized. Two changes that come to mind are the relocations of the 10th and 16th greens. Originally the 10th green was adjacent to the large bunker that graces the bottom of the hill below the tee shot. It was moved back to the hill that was behind the green. The 16th green was originally to the left of a small creek. Robert Trent Jones moved the green to the right and added the pond.
When you had the opportunity to visit the Masters in the 1960’s and 1970’s and watch the greats of the game hit 3 to 5 irons into the 18th green, and you compare that with recent players hitting 9 irons to the same greens, even with additional bunkers and trees, you realize something had to be done or accept a new “Masters” standard. Certainly, one could debate each change that was made to restore the shot values in response to better equipment and training, but we should admire Augusta for taking a stand to preserve the traditions of their course.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008