Potential Changes for No. 13 at Augusta

Google Earth Shows Construction Behind 13th Tee At Augusta National Revealing The Tee May Finally Be Moving Back

Now, three months ahead of the 2020 Masters, it looks like we could see a new tee at the Par 5. According to the Augusta Chronicle, the new land could allow the hole to be lengthened by up to 60 yards. The hole named Azalea has played around 510 yards in years past and was the easiest hole during last year’s tournament with a 4.474 scoring average.

Pushing the tee back 50-60 yards will turn the hole into a legitimate three-shot hole for most players in the field with Rae’s Creek guarding the front of the green.

Id like to see how it plays at 60 yards longer but I hope that players still have the option of going for it in two and that trying to cut the corner isnt completely removed for guys trying to step on something to force a charge. Though watching it become more than a 7 iron in for most of the field will be interesting.

In my opinion, watching woods, hybrids and long irons into that green would be much more exciting than mid irons. We would see more risk reward situations on the back 9 on Sunday, which is what the Masters is all about.

I’m just excited they aren’t turning that hole into a par 4. That would have completely changed the dynamic of the hole. A risk reward hole would just be turned into a really hard par 4.

April can't come soon enough........

basically... big hitters keep winning. the could plant fake trees down the lefts side....force players to go further right with the draw, this would lengthen the hole of course but at least require a well shaped shot. From the new back..it's straight shot

Good. It's needed to bring it back to a challenging par 5 as intended.

The tee on 13 is NOT being moved back for the 2020 Masters. Google Earth image shows service road built behind Augusta National's 13th teePer Fred Ridley........“Although we now have options to increase the length of this hole,” Ridley said, “we intend to wait to see how distance may be addressed by the governing bodies before we take any action.”  

Lengthening this hole is the right move. I think at 570 this hole would be an interesting risk and reward hole. Tiger only had 161 yards into the green for his 2nd shot on Sunday when he played it last April, and I don't think any Par 5 is risk reward when guys are 8-9 irons on a regular basis. I think it would definitely be more exciting to see the hole play at 570 yards, because it would be a really good 3 shot hole but also present an eagle opportunity to someone who is trailing by a few shots. I think that coupled with the potential disaster that can happened on hole 12 will make the Masters even more exciting on Sunday.

Interesting statement there, Mr Ridley.

I agree. They don't need to make courses longer, just smarter.

Feel like we’re closer to Augusta forcing all players to use a uniform ball of their creation during the tournament than them lengthening 13

It's not like they have to play it to the tips every round, they just have more options now. Art of course set up and frankly their approach to course setup, conditioning and renovation is hard to be too critical towards.

Ha! Driver, 9i party is over.

Pros be like,

Remember though that to get the 161 yard second shot he had more risk on the tee shot hugging the left tree line/creek. Many players bail out too far to the right and get stuck in the trees and pine straw.

Just put a huge cross bunker at 250-350 yards off the tees. Put alligators and a swamp in the trees on the right.

The option for them to lengthen the hole is a fine one but I would definitely prefer to see them figuring out something without having to add 60 yards to the hole. All that does is further reduce the pool of players that have a legitimate chance of winning the thing. There never, ever used to be a shot where players could stand up and blast a tee shot over the trees. The trees were too high and they could not hit the moon ball like they do now. Why not try and stop that shot? They have enough cash down Augusta way, why not put some trees and sizeable ones at that to prevent people from even being able to consider the blast over the trees. Force them to aim up the right and hit a draw like the hole had always previously demanded.

Is it Feb 4th ? The distance report is coming in Feb. and I smell something about to happen.

the hole is not being lengthed, they are just altering the road.

Rumors abound. Perhaps a name change for the hole is in order as well.

I'm partial to "pickled pear."

probably can't get a tree tall enough to prevent that ...

i think they need to lengthen it ... people can work on their wedge game from an uphill lie and figure out how to use the slope to their advantage to get the ball close ...

If the hole is to present a challenge and difficult decision on their 2nd shot for most of the pros playing the Masters, whether to lay up or go for the green in 2, the hole has to be lengthened.

They could continue to move the tee farther left so as to make it a 90 degree dogleg and not allow anyone to go over the trees, but around it.

That's almost diabolical!

I think that 540 or 550 would be sufficient.

So Augusta is now pretty much going to be different every year? A little lengthening here, tree removal over here, a new tree here. Some new bushes somewhere else...

It's just so manufactured now, besides the fact the course is only 'nice' for like 3 months.

Before you know it they'll have an island green.

There is talk installing of "Phoenix-like" grandstands in the trees flanking the left side of the fairway.

If they make it a 3 shot hole they will ruin the intentions of the design. It’s a great risk-reward hole when hitting long iron/ hybrid. Didn’t Faldo hit 2 iron in there in 1996? To me every pro in the field should be tempted to go for it in 2 after a good drive, but their butt should be puckering when addressing the ball.

lengthening it a bit might force players to try to find the bottom of the fairway near the creek for a flatter lie, if they don't want a hanging lie/hook lie for their 2nd shot ...

It's different in a lot of ways that may not be obvious every year - been that way for a long, long time.

They are always on the cutting edge of course maintenance and all that goes with it, proactive with course changes and very concerned, as they should be, with preserving the integrity of the Masters.

Other than "sub air" - nothing I can think of that one would describe as "manufactured", but darn incredible is probably close.

Not sure what else you would be suggesting they do or not do?

Ya, TW hit it in the trees and see like