Watching golf inherently makes you desire to become one of the players. From the sounds of birds chirping to the breathtaking drone aerials of fairways, there is nothing that comes close to playing in a classic golf club like the Augusta National Golf Club.
No, golf clubs have tinkered with golf courses more effectively and frequently in the recent past as the Augusta National Golf Club.
In this article, we will explore more details about the Augusta National Golf Club, including its origin, membership, and little-known facts about the club.
Overview of the Augusta National Golf Club
- Location: 2604 Washington Rd, Augusta, GA 30904-5902
- Length: 7,510 yards
- Par: 72
- Holes: 18
- Slopes: 148
- Designed by: Alister Mackenzie & Bobby Jones, among others
- Established: 1933
- Facility type: Private
- What Championships: PGA Seniors’ Championship in 1937 and 1938, Masters Golf Tournament for several years, including 2022.
The club has been able to keep it competitive for the Master Tournament. This event was conducted in the club since 1943, with a few breaks during WWII.
The Augusta National Golf Club has achieved this status because of an amalgamation of design ideas from top course architects like Alister Mackenzie and Bobby Jones who contributed much to the routing.
Perry Maxwell for greens, Jack Nicklaus who handled mounds and swales, Trent Jones for his contribution to water hazards, and Tom Fazio for extensive bunkering and tree planting.
Surprisingly, the tinkering continues even in recent times, including the lengthening of the par-4 fifth in 2018, the extension of the 11th and 15th holes in 2022, and the extension of the famed par-5 13th by 35 yards in 2023.
National beauty and natural timing are two reasons why many golfers typically have the best time when they arrive for the Masters Tournament.
Contrary to popular belief, the club doesn’t apply any pesticides or fertilizer to keep the green appearance. It all depends on a state-of-the-art irrigation system to sustain the environment.
Besides the greenery, there are associated facilities including training rooms, meeting rooms, a soil lab, a shopping area, and an on-site weather station to help the club handle most problems.
History of The Augusta National Golf Club
The story of the Augusta National Golf Club began in the early 1930s. In 1934, the first Augusta National Invitation Tournament is held at the club, Then, it was called the Masters. But the success story began four years before this tournament. The greatest golfer at those times Bobby Jones had just stepped aside from a major competition, arguably to pursue his project.
Between 1923 and 1930, Jones had won three British Opens as an amateur and four US Opens. Besides this, he won several British and the US Amateur Championships in 1930.
The achievement was one of its kind during those times. Some quarters dubbed it as the only genuine Grand Slam that golf has seen.
Bobby Jones retired from active championships and it was his time to put more focus on his law practice in his hometown Atlanta.
Since he was already a household name, he was weary of the attention he received from spectators even when he was just out on a game with his friends.
But there was a strong notion in the back of his mind to create his private golf club, where he could find peace of mind. Luckily, the idea resonated well with his Wall Street friend Clifford Roberts.
The two friends have mutual connections in Augusta, an inland port on the Savannah River. The port is only 150 miles from Jone’s home city of Atlanta.
Jones and Roberts chose this location because it was an ideal retreat for winter golf. Just within the locality of the Augusta Country Club – where Bobby Jones had won one of the Championships – was a prime 400-acre piece of land.
A former indigo plantation owned by Baron Louis Berckmans, a Belgian. The property overlooked a 14-room manor house.
In 1931, Jones and Roberts paid a visit to the disused site and were instantly impressed. They knew that it was where they wanted to set up the golf club.
And the good thing is that Jones knew the man to help him would help him actualize his vision. During one of the golf games at Cypress Point, Jones met the original architect, Dr. Alister Mackenzie.
After an extensive talk, Jones was happy that he had found a man who shared his design philosophy.
The main aim of the Augusta National Golf Club was to design a golf course surrounded by natural beauty, challenging for an expert golfer striving for better par and still enjoyable to the average golfer.
They designed the fairways to be wide so as not to spoil member’s fun but during a major competition, the hole’s locations and the greens would be fast to test the best golfers.
As the development started, Jones hit several balls to some locations on the course. Despite the economic depression, the course is completed by end of 1932 and officially opened in January 1933. And as they say, the rest is history.
Membership
Playing at the Augusta National Golf Club is a dream for many golfers. Unfortunately, this club is exclusively an invite-only golf club. To play here, an existing member has to invite you to the club.
Likewise, to become a member, you don’t need to pick up and fill out an application form. What you need to do is get an invitation from a member of the club.
Things You Should Know About the Augusta National Golf Club
Augusta National Golf Club Close in Summer
A little-known fact about the Augusta National Golf Club is that it is a seasonal course. The golf course shuts down each summer, i.e. from May to September.
The club reopens in October to reduce a lot of wear and tear associated with the peak summer months. This is the time constructions and improvements are made on the course.
Extreme attention and care are given to Augusta National course’s greens.
Everything is So Green at the Masters
Augusta National’s fairways and tees are Bermuda grass, which are overseeded each fall with ryegrass. The whole course is filled with flowers and plants that bloom during the Masters.
Most of the flowers and plant varieties such as azaleas and dogwoods usually bloom in the springs around the time of the tournament.
Endless Menu in the Clubhouse
The club offers whatever you would like to have, even though it has no menu. Of course, there is a physical menu but you can always ask what you like.
And the good thing is that the food in the club is spectacular.
Secret Shoe Shine Service
Every time you are in the club, your shoes will always shine. You go to breakfast or go to play golf and when you come back to your room, you will find your shoes shining. And the funny thing is that you saw nobody walking the halls.
Discreet Signage
The experience of playing Augusta National starts when you enter Washington Road.
After that, there is no major signage or anything to indicate that you are almost getting to Augusta National Golf Club.
The Par-3 Course Is the Real Challenge
Only a few golfers will manage to play the par-3 course, let alone Augusta itself. It is one of the hardest par-3 courses you can play in.
The greens are faster than any other course. While there are small little greens, they are so fast that it makes it incredibly tough to play.
Augusta is Warm and Welcoming to Guests
Generally, Augusta is a very relaxing place. The old wooden clubhouse is all about playing golf. This is the kind of feeling you get when you are in the club.
Likewise, people are warm and relaxed. With its strict rules, you would think that everything in the club is uptight.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Masters prohibits electronic devices such as laptops, cell phones, beepers, and tablets on the grounds.
According to the club management, cell phones are a nuisance during the Masters. The noise they produce through dialing and conversations is not only an irritation to players but also a distraction.
As alluded to earlier, Augusta National is one of the most exclusive golf clubs in America. What it means is that unless you are a member it would be difficult to get a tee time.
But that doesn’t equate to being impossible. If invited by one of the members, you can still play golf at the Augusta National Golf Club.
Masters winners may not be members of the Augusta National Golf Club but they can play there provided the club is open.
Besides this, they get to wear the Green jacket when they are in the club.
Final Thoughts
Many golfers will have their best time while in the Augusta National Golf Club, thanks to its well-maintained courses, amazing amenities, warm people, and the undulating greens and blooming Azaleas.
Even if you are familiar with the course, there are unlimited nuances, traditions, and legends that you will experience when you play at Augusta National.
