The Most Famous Golf Course in the World

Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, is arguably the most iconic golf course on the planet. Home to The Masters Tournament — one of golf's four major championships — Augusta National is a course steeped in tradition, beauty, and challenge. Here's everything you need to know about what makes it so special.

History and Origins

Augusta National was founded in 1933 by golf legend Bobby Jones and investment banker Clifford Roberts. Jones, who had retired from competitive golf after completing the Grand Slam in 1930, wanted to build his ideal golf course. He partnered with renowned course architect Alister MacKenzie to design it on the grounds of a former plant nursery — which explains the flowering trees and shrubs that define the course's look.

The first Masters Tournament was held in 1934, and the event has been held there every April since (with a brief pause during World War II).

Course Layout and Design

Augusta National is a par-72 course stretching to approximately 7,500 yards from the championship tees. It features:

  • Four par-3 holes — including the famous 12th, "Golden Bell," considered one of the most demanding par-3s in major championship golf.
  • Four par-5 holes — offering birdie and eagle opportunities for the game's longest hitters.
  • Ten par-4 holes — ranging from driveable short holes to demanding long two-shotters.

The course flows through pine trees, flowering azaleas, and Rae's Creek, which guards several of the back nine holes. Elevation changes are significant — Augusta is far hillier than television makes it appear.

Amen Corner: Golf's Most Dramatic Stretch

Amen Corner refers to holes 11, 12, and 13 — the stretch of Augusta National where Masters titles are most often won or lost. The name was coined by sports journalist Herbert Warren Wind in 1958.

  • Hole 11 (White Dogwood, par 4): A long, demanding hole with water left of the green.
  • Hole 12 (Golden Bell, par 3): Only 155 yards, but swirling winds and a tight green make it treacherous. Rae's Creek lurks in front.
  • Hole 13 (Azalea, par 5): A risk-reward dogleg left that tempts players to go for the green in two over a creek.

The Famous Par-3 Course

Augusta National also features a separate 9-hole par-3 course, which hosts the Par 3 Contest on the Wednesday before The Masters begins. It's one of golf's most charming traditions — pros are often joined by family members as caddies, creating a relaxed, festive atmosphere before the pressure of the tournament begins.

Membership and Access

Augusta National is an extremely exclusive private club. Membership is by invitation only, and the number of members is deliberately kept small. The course is not open to public play under any circumstances. The only way to experience it is by attending The Masters as a patron — and those tickets are notoriously difficult to obtain.

Iconic Course Features

  • The Magnolia Lane: The iconic driveway lined with magnolia trees leading to the clubhouse.
  • The Butler Cabin: Where the Green Jacket ceremony is held for television.
  • Eisenhower's Tree: A loblolly pine on hole 17 (now removed after storm damage) famous for being hit by President Eisenhower's ball.

Why Augusta National Matters to Golf

Beyond its beauty, Augusta National represents golf's highest standard of course conditioning and presentation. Superintendents around the world study its turf management practices. Its design principles — featuring bold contours, strategic bunkering, and risk-reward decision points — influence course architects globally. It is, simply put, a blueprint for what a great golf course can be.