In recent years, the changes made to Augusta National made to "Tiger-proof" "protect" the course have resulted in in panic for golf traditionalists. Scottish golf writer, John Huggan, in his article "Augusta Turns Into Paradise Lost," makes the case that the members of Augusta National have destroyed the essential element of the course: mainly, that it rewarded inventive shotmaking and that players with different strengths and abilities could excel on it. It's definitely worth a read.
Huggan quotes various players' concerns about the changes, including this one from Joe Ogilvy with the most Gary McCord-like candor:
"It's like if you have a beautiful woman, but after her 20th or 30th plastic surgery she doesn't look as good."
Ouch. Perfect imagery. I must admit that I've frequented the Awful Plastic Surgery blog that tries to chronicle what celebrities have had doctors to do them, and well, I find it disturbing yet oddly compelling. Kind of like Ernie Els getting double bogey today on the first hole, and two more bogeys by hole 4.
(Hat tip: Houston's Clear Thinkers)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-06-2007 @ 11:30AM
Larry House said...
Steph,
Augusta National is at the fore front as a leading innovative golf institution. I remember back when a persimmon driver and balata ball could produce an average professional drive of 240-250 yards. The mighty could put it out there 260-270 yards. Today's graphite metal drivers and the suped up golf balls are singing Crystal Gayle's "Blue Bayou" to a tune of 60 to 80 yards past those old persimmon balata drives of the past.
Today's equipment turned Augusta National into the finest driver wedge resort course the average mortal can not play. All the changes at Augusta National allow the course to hold it's own against par, the players and the equipment of today. Augusta National now plays like it always has, a good shot rewards you, something less makes your next shot a more difficult. That's the way it should be.
The biggest change to Augusta National came in the 70's when they replaced the greens with Bent Grass. Today those greens are the showcase of the golfing world. One thing however has remained the same over the many years, you still cannot find a weed.
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4-06-2007 @ 12:55PM
Stephanie Stradley said...
Larry-
Great to see you. Glad to hear your point of view on this. I wonder if some day they will eventually stop slicing on Augusta National, and make them play with the Masters ball
Easy to maintain your bentgrass greens in the south and weedless course when you close the course for the summer.
-Steph
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4-06-2007 @ 3:24PM
Larry House said...
Steph,
Since they are running out of real estate at Augusta National the Master's Ball might be the next option. They also could bring back some of the old designs, like extending Rae's Creek in front of #11 like it was before they changed it in 1950. They could also bring back the original strange looking fairway bunkers coming down the hill on #2 and #9. In the end I would prefer the Master's Ball to tricking up the course.
The one thing I don't like about some US Opens is I think the USGA is to liberal in their efforts to trick up the course to make it as hard as possible. Examples, 3 cuts of ruff, 20 yard fairways, 3-4" fringe around the green. All this on par 70, 7200 yd layout. Augusta does not have to do any of this achieve a winning score close to par.
Also the rye grass in fairways browns in the summer.
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