Countdown to The Masters

All right…winter is over, spring has sprung, golf courses are open early in the northeast and I already have three rounds in the books. Next up, The Masters. Well almost next up.

There are sixteen days and two PGA Tour tournaments left before we get to hear that music and take that ride down Magnolia Lane. But it’s time to get your Masters pre-game on.

I got my 2016 Masters Journal at Barnes & Noble a few days ago and as usual it is full of wonderful stories on the history and traditions of The Masters, Augusta National and the many players that have walked those green hills.

A nice surprise this year is the fact that four time Masters Champion Tiger Woods offers his perspective on each hole at Augusta National. Few players know Augusta as well as Woods and it’s interesting to read his ideas on some of the most well known holes in golf.

Tiger and I have something in common, besides his playing like a 14 handicapper the last few times he played: we both love the par five thirteenth. Tiger’s take on “Azalea.”

When I think back about all the Masters I’ve played, several favorites come to mind. I put the tee box at no. 13 on top of the list.

Why? In may early days at Augusta National. I remember hearing one of the coolest sounds in all of golf – the distinctive tone of a persimmon clubhead striking the ball. You’re back there all by yourselves – just players and caddies – and that sound among the pines was one of the sweetest I’ve ever heard.

Back to strategy, though. Sometimes, if the tees are up and conditions are calm, I can hit driver up and over the top-left corner of trees. Bubba Watson and Phil Mickelson both hit a natural cut from the left side, so that’s a very comfortable shot for them. I said the tee shot I hit here on Sunday in 2001 was my best shot that year and it was – I totally bombed that one and was able to hit 8-iron in.

The middle-right pin allows you to utilize the slope a little bit, but the ball won’t get all the way to the hole.

That’s because usually you’re coming into the green with a draw, so it’s working into the slope instead of along it. A good shot will leave you 15 feet. It’s without question a birdie hole, including one I made in the third round in 2005 that gave me my seventh in a row.

The 13^th at Augusta isn’t just one of the most photographed and most beautiful holes in golf: it’s one of the most exciting too.

I’m counting the days to April 7th.