Understanding Augusta National: #1 Tea Olive

Over the next day or two, we are going to take a look at some of the critical holes at Augusta National, how they have changed over the years, and the strategy involved in playing them.

Golf World's Nick Seitz did a great piece a few days ago about Augusta National's opening hole.  On the scorecard, the first will play 10 yards shorter this year than last.  ANGC has created a teebox that is 10 yards shorter, but the hole will be able to play anywhere between 426 and 464 yards.

It is one of the biggest changes to the course since 2002.  The hole has been lengthed some 40 yards. One other critical change made to the hole is the lengthening of the fairway bunker on the right.

As Seitz mentions, Jones intended this bunker to pick up lax tee shots against the common wind into the player.  Prior to 2002, players could carry the bunker, cut the corner and leave themselves a wedge into the green.  Now, that task is more daunting as it is a near 320 carry to fly the bunker.  It can only be done with a wind that favors the player.

With trees brought in on the left, players have little room to bail out and still have a short iron to the massive, undulating green.  Landing your approach into the green side bunker or over the back of the green will likely leave you dead - particularly with a pin placement on the left.  The front right pin placement, though, is the most challenging to attack and make a birdie.

The players have lamented that this hole used to be a relatively easy par 4 to start the round.  Now, they are on defense from the opening tee shot.  Of the changes made to Augusta since 2002, this is the one that I agree with most.  Also, the smaller tee box this year should allow players at least one chance to try to fly the bunker.