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Best seat in the house

Practice range grandstand
Monday, all day

Monday, April 02, 2007

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Are you looking to see as many players as possible on your visit to the Masters Tournament?

Arrive early at the grandstand to watch golfers work on their swings or try to clear the 105-foot-tall net. Bring a pen, too, because it's one of the only authorized places to ask for autographs. (Michael Snyder/Staff)

Then take a seat in the grandstand at the practice range. Almost all the players will spend some time on the range, either warming up before a round or working out some kinks in their swing.

Plan on arriving early if you want a seat in the grandstand; otherwise you might have to stand along the ropes to see the world's best golfers show off their swings. A pair of binoculars would be handy to check out where the balls land.

Don't be surprised to see more than just players on the practice tees. Most golfers will have their caddies with them, and a few will have their swing coaches in tow as well. A small group of Augusta National Golf Club employees mans the area and makes sure players are supplied with as many bags of balls as they need.

Some of the players will try to hit the ball over the net, which guards Washington Road and pedestrian traffic. The center of the net is about 265 yards from the back steps of the practice tee and it stands 105 feet tall, so it's not an easy feat.

The area is also popular for autograph seekers. Most players will make their way from the driving range to the locker room or main course through the parking lot on that side of the clubhouse, and it's the only authorized place to seek autographs.

Plans are in the works to move the practice range. Construction is set to begin this summer on a state-of-the-art practice facility that will be located in what's now the club's main parking lot. That facility isn't scheduled to be ready until 2010, and plans call for Augusta National to open new parking lots to accommodate patrons.

In the meantime, enjoy the scene and try to pick up some swing tips while you're at it.

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