April 2-82012
2012 coverage by The Augusta Chronicle
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Masters hole 18

No. 18 Holly

Par 4 465 yards

The closing hole has become a 465-yard challenge with the extension of the tee in 2002. An accurate drive is a must, and an expanded bunker complex requires a clout of 335 yards to carry. Trees to the left of the bunkers prevent a bailout on that side, and the elevated green is guarded by bunkers.

1934 yardage

420, par 4

About the plant

  • Deciduous, flowering tree 
  • Dioecious evergreen tree with spiny, dull green leaves 
  • From March to June, male and female bear inconspicuous green or white flowers. 
  • Female yields bright red poisonous berries in winter, if male is also present. 

Spot it on the course

  • Holly grows right of the 18th tee and on both sides of the fairway. 

Where and how the plant grows

  • Grows to 35 to 50 feet high and 15 to 25 feet wide 
  • Shade tolerant 
  • Moist, well-drained, acidic, sandy soil 
  • High drought tolerance 
  • Propagation by cuttings

How players fared

Next grouping
Significant changes since opening
  • Double bunker constructed left of fairway landing area, 1967
  • Tee moved back 55-60 yards and moved to the golfer's right five yards, 2002
  • Bunker complex adjusted, 2002
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Historical average:
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About the course

The 18th hole at Augusta National Golf Club wreaked havoc all week. From Henrik Stenson's quadruple bogey on Thursday to Padraig Harrington's double bogey on Sunday, the 465-yard closing hole made life tough on the world's best golfers.
The 495-yard, par-4 10th – historically the most difficult hole on the course – has been the fifth-hardest hole during the Masters Tournament this year.
First-time Masters visitors Jeanne Grill and Peggy Halverson have nice chairs back home in Tampa, Fla., but they said none are as comfortable as the plastic seats they sat in Friday.
The 445-yard par-4 first put up a difficult challenge in the first round of the 2012 Masters Tournament, keeping to a trend that has emerged since the hole was lengthened twice in the past 10 years.
Augusta National Golf Club's 11th hole is no longer the pushover it was a decade ago.
Mike Fritz, in his fourth year as a volunteer gallery guard, knows he has one of the best views in sports.

Design

Bobby Jones on the design of Augusta National

Bobby Jones

1. Dr. Mackenzie and I believe that no good golf hole exists that does not afford a proper and convenient solution to the average golfer and the short player, as well as to the more powerful and accurate expert.

2. We have always felt that the make-or-break character of many of the holes of our second nine has been largely responsible for rewarding our spectators with so many dramatic finishes. It has always been a nine that could be played in the low thirties or the middle forties.

Alister Mackenzie on the design of Augusta National

Allister Mackenzie

1. There should be little walking between the greens and tees, and the course should be arranged so that in the first instance there is always a slight walk forwards from the green to the next tee; then the holes are sufficiently elastic to be lengthened in the future if necessary.

2. There should be a minimum of blindness for the approach shots.

3. There should be a sufficient number of heroic carries from the tee, but the course should be arranged so that the weaker player with the loss of a stroke or portion of a stroke shall always have an alternative route open to him.

Fans' Guide

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