Derek Duncan

2 weeks ago | golfeturismo.it | Derek Duncan

Vi sveliamo come sono nati gli iconici bunker che difendonole 18 buche dell’Augusta National, veree proprie opere d’arte di sabbia che ogni anno regalano al pubblico istanti memorabili e clamorosi colpi di scena. La bellezza dell’Augusta NationalTra tutti i campi più rinomati al mondo per la loro bellezza, l’Augusta National è il più effimero. Fare semplicemente il suo nome evoca immagini di un verde impeccabile che irrompe in mezzo a tonalità di rosa brillante, rosso, giallo, verde e bianco.

2 weeks ago | golfdigest.com | Derek Duncan

Augusta National’s primary defense against the world’s greatest players has always been its greens. That was especially true until 20 years ago. Prior to the club narrowing certain fairways with pine trees (notably seven, 11, 15, 17 and 18) and the addition of the cut of light rough, players could attack the 30- to 80-yard-wide fairways aggressively. There was no option but for the greens to be formidable.

3 weeks ago | golfdigest.com | Derek Duncan

Consensus is hard to find. But almost everyone agrees the 13th hole at Augusta National is one of the world’s great par 5s. The role it plays in determining the outcome of the Masters each April certainly contributes to its fame, especially as players encounter it on the second nine on Sunday with the wall of pines and azaleas blooming down the left side and the four spectacle bunkers monitoring play from behind the green.

3 weeks ago | golfdigest.com | Derek Duncan

The entire Augusta National property resonates aesthetically, especially during the Masters when everything is in bloom, but the par-3 16th is a focal point. Just steps off the 15th green, it sits in a kind of amphitheater with the hillside under the neighboring sixth hole (which is not visible) providing bleacher-like seating for patrons and the long pond between the tee and green reflecting pines and the surrounding activity.

3 weeks ago | golfdigest.com | Derek Duncan

It’s possible to overlook the complexity of the short par-4 third. In one regard, players can simply hit a long iron or hybrid club off the tee into position short of the fairway bunker complex on the left, setting up a full wedge or short iron into the elevated green. But the shortness of the hole adds a psychological element to the equation—the belief that a 3 is out there for the taking—that can override prudency.