There's a good reason many players spend so much time on Augusta National Golf Club's practice putting green.

Players sometimes will take refuge on the putting green, where fans and media are not allowed. (Michael Holahan/Staff)

It's that good.

In Stewart Cink's words, it's brilliant.

Though Boo Weekley said, "It's just a putting green; it doesn't matter if I'm putting at the house or Augusta," Cink and others begged to differ.

They appreciate the thought that has gone into the design of the putting green, which is between the first and 10th tees.

"That's one of the best putting greens in golf because it mimics the movement and speed of the big course's greens so much," Cink said. "You can try almost any kind of putt that you're going to see that day on that putting green.

"Whoever designed that thing did a great job. It's been moved and reshaped over the years, but they do a very good job of keeping it very close to being in tune with the greens on the course."

Brandt Snedeker said: "There is some slope on it, but the biggest thing is they keep it relatively similar to the course. It's a big deal to make sure when you walk off that green you're walking onto the golf course and you feel comfortable that your speed is good. Speed there is such a big deal. It's so hard to get the right speed on that golf course."

Not all the putting greens on the PGA Tour are like that.

"Some are terrible, where they are completely flat or have too much slope on them," said Carl Pettersson, who calls the Augusta National practice putting green "a good design."

Ben Curtis has found that Augusta National cuts its cups tight, requiring an almost perfect putt for the ball to fall, which is why he likes to practice there.

"You don't get very many lip-ins," Curtis said. "I find the ball has to be trickling to go in. You've got to hit the center of the hole or it doesn't go in. I've putted fairly decent there, but I didn't make anything. I've had four or five lip-outs and come away with nothing. That's the hard part: You've got to have the perfect speed and with the amount of slope you have to play to go in, it makes it really difficult."

You'll find Masters veterans such as Cink camping out on the practice putting green late Wednesday afternoon, on the eve of the first round.

"After the Par-3, they usually come through and get the course in Masters shape and cut the greens down," Cink said. "I usually spend a lot of time putting over there. I've probably putted for an hour, and I'm not a long practice putter."

The putting green also serves as a meeting place for players, who often "pick up" a practice round or catch up on the latest golf news.

Because so many players are on the putting green, it is always surrounded by patrons who want to get a close glimpse of their favorite players.

That some fans spend so much time around the putting green surprises Cink.

"It amazes me, when you could be out there on the course watching shots or putts," he said.