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1997 Masters - Arnie waving to the crowd up the 18th fairway and Jack Nicklaus' putt at 18
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Arnold Palmer On The Masters
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CBS SportsLine's own golf legend Arnold
Palmer,
a four-time winner at the Masters (1958, 1960, 1962, 1964), shares
his thoughts on playing Augusta
National,
and some of his Masters' Memories:
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Hole - By - Hole |
The first of the significant holes is the fourth hole
(205 yards, par three, elevated tee and green, bunkers front right
and left side). It's a great hole, a very difficult one that the
wind affects dramatically. The fifth hole
(435 yards, par four, uphill slight dogleg left, sloping green
to right and to front) is a very important hole, particularly
when you are talking about the front nine, and is certainly one
of the more difficult par-fours on the course.
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The eighth hole
(535 yards, par five, uphill, slight dogleg left just short of
green) is sort of a turning-point hole. Most players are quite
close to the green in two with the opportunity to make a birdie
and pick up on the leaders or enhance their own leads, depending
on the situation. Over the years, the 10th hole
(485 yards, par four, downhill, green elevated) has created some
good and some bad for contending players… a good, straight-a-way
hole. The 11th hole
(455 yards, par four, downhill to green guarded by pond across
most of front) is a key hole as we start through Amen Corner.
The young players hit the ball so far these days that they do
not take the same cautious approach to this hole that we did in
years gone by.
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The 12th hole (155 yards, par three, shallow green fronted by Rae's Creek and guarded by bunkers front and back) consistently causes trouble for the players. It's not a long hole, but certainly a tricky one. It requires some heavy thinking about club selection before hitting the shot.
The 13th hole
(485 yards, par five, dogleg left, creek guards the front and
right side of green, left side of fairway) is another pick-up
hole, but, if the tee shot and second shot to the green are not
hit correctly, you are in for serious trouble. Many sixes have
been made on this relatively-easy birdie hole by players attempting
to win the Masters.
The 15th hole
(500 yards, par five, water in front and behind green, bunker
right) is another dramatic, turning-point hole. It is almost a
given that the longer hitters and tournament leaders will go for
the green in two in search of birdies, but occasionally there's
a slip with a shot either too long or too short.
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Finally, we come to the finishing holes, three good holes that,
as a general rule, do not pose particular problems for the players,
except for some putting woes on the greens. The 18th hole
(405 yards, par four, uphill, dogleg right, sloping green back
to front) can be a very exciting hole at the end of the tournament
when you come to it a shot behind, a shot ahead or with a chance
to win the Masters with a birdie on the hole.
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Masters Memories |
MY MOST MEMORABLE SHOT:
In 1958 when I won my first Masters,
I had a vital rules dispute when I plugged my tee shot in a soft
area just off the back of the green. Not knowing whether I would
have a three or a five after finishing with two balls and appealing
the initial decision, I went to the 14th, where I had
a good drive and a three-wood to the green and made my eagle.
That allowed me to win that championship when my appeal was upheld
and I was given my three for the 12th hole.
MY THOUGHTS ON MASTERS FINISHES:
My first three Masters victories (1958, 1960, 1962) were very close. In each case, I had to do something rather dramatic to win. In 1961, it was dramatic, too, but in reverse when I lost with a six at the last hole. The most satisfying experience came in 1964 when I was able to walk up the 18th fairway with a very comfortable lead and not have to worry about making a birdie or a par to win. I enjoyed that very much.
DO YOU CHERISH ANY ONE OF YOUR FOUR MASTERS' WINS OVER ANOTHER?
I don't think so. The first win in 1958 was certainly significant after going through several trying situations on the way. That and the one in 1964 when I won with a comfortable margin are the ones that I speak about the most.
WHAT IS MOST CHALLENGING ABOUT AUGUSTA?
I think the greens, with the bent grass and the undulations, are what make Augusta National so difficult and trying, particularly when you are coming down the stretch attempting to win the Masters.
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