Masters survey 2023: Augusta National is hallowed ground but where on the golf course is it most special?
Augusta National is one of golf’s great cathedrals.
To be there is the equivalent of seeing the Sistine Chapel or visiting the Vatican. For some, it’s a religious experience.
But where on the revered course does it feel the most hallowed or special?
That was the question we posed to more than two dozen contestants of the Masters, both past and present. Some are lucky enough to change their shoes in the club’s Champions Locker Room, some won other majors or reached No. 1 in the world but they’ve all had the privilege to participate in the first men’s major of the year and identified where it is that a very special place feels a little extra special.
Will Zalatoris
Will Zalatoris walks over the Hogan Bridge on the 12th hole during the 2021 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports)
Standing on the Hogan Bridge on 12. My dad has played Augusta National twice. He said every time you get on the bridge turn back and look because you’ll never get that view from TV.
Gary Woodland
Gary Woodland plays his shot from the 12th tee during the 2021 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Anytime you get down there on 12. It’s got so much history. Being on the 12th tee box is as good as it gets.
Justin Thomas
Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas and Shane Lowry on the 15th green at the 2021 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
I think 2 green and 15 green have a special feel. The 15th green is a little lower where it echoes a little bit more. You have eagles, you have chip ins. You can have those big roars and it’s a cool spot.
Jordan Spieth
Jordan Spieth on the 12th hole at the 2021 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports)
Left of 11, 12 green, left of 13 where you are kind of on your own. So Amen Corner to the left side.
Adam Scott
Adam Scott reacts after a birdie putt the 18th hole during the final round of the 2013 Masters. (Photo: Augusta National/Getty Images)
There are a lot of spots, but 12 is a special place. The 10th green is a special place for me, 18 is special.
Jon Rahm
Jon Rahm and caddie Adam Hayes on the 11th hole at the 2021 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports)
When you start walking down 10 and see 11 and 12, that is as special as it gets.
Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player
A sign for Amen Corner at the 2021 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports)
Amen Corner.
Collin Morikawa
Collin Morikawa celebrates after holing out from a bunker on the 18th hole during the final round of the 2022 Masters. (Photo: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports)
Walking up 18 I get chills. Last year it was Rory and me and we both holed out. But there’s nothing like the view on 12 green.
Matt Kuchar
Tiger Woods, Matt Kuchar and K.J. Choi walk over the Hogan Bridge at the 2016 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Rob Schumacher/The Arizona Republic)
The Hogan Bridge at 12, looking down at the plaque as you cross Rae’s Creek. Right when you do that, all the visions of the past greats who have made that same walk rush through my head.
Kevin Kisner
Kevin Kisner hits a tee shot at No. 12 during 2022 Masters at Augusta National Golf Course. (Photo: Danielle Parhizkaran-Augusta Chronicle/USA TODAY Sports)
Amen Corner on Sunday, when you start hearing the roars. The only time I was close to the lead to hear that was something special.
Zach Johnson
Zach Johnson on the 18th green during the the 2021 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Where do I start.
Butler Cabin, Amen Corner, the first tee on Sunday, the walk up 18.
Trevor Immelman
Trevor Immelman at the 2010 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Standing on 11 fairway, you can see all of Amen Corner.
Viktor Hovland
Viktor Hovland at the 2022 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Amen Corner, walking down to the 11 green, seeing 12 and then on the opposite side when you are walking up to 12 green and looking back, it’s pretty special.
Billy Horschel
Billy Horschel near Rae’s Creek at 2022 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports)
Amen Corner. It’s such a great gathering spot.
Max Homa
Max Homa and caddie Joe Greiner on the 13th hole at the 2022 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
On the 13th tee. It’s just you, the caddies and the players. It’s very special.
Jim Furyk
Jim Furyk at the Par 3 Contest ahead of the 1997 Masters at Augusta National Golf Course. (Photo: Chuck Bigger -The Augusta Chronicle via USA TODAY NETWORK)
I would say the first tee on my first time playing there on Thursday and Byron Nelson is sitting there watching. That was pretty good.
Tommy Fleetwood
The 18th green late on a Sunday.
Tony Finau
Tony Finau at the 2019 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: David J. Phillip/Associated PRess)
The first tee shot on the first hole. There’s nothing like that.
Harris English
Harris English at the 2021 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
The 16 tee where you can look over and see 15 green and then 16 is one of my favorite holes out there.
Corey Conners
Corey Conners with his caddie Kyle Peters at the 2020 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Matt Slocum/Associated Press)
The 15 green, 16 tee is so special. The atmosphere is electric on the weekend.
Keegan Bradley
A sign points to Amen Corner at the 2017 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via AP Images)
Amen Corner.
When you come over that hill on 11 and you look down and you’ve been looking at it your whole life and it looks fake, like a painting.
That’s the spot.
