It’s nearly that time of year again when golf fans are treated to one of the most exciting weeks on the golfing calendar, if not the most exciting.
Augusta National will play host to The Masters for the 90th time next week, and some of the best golfers in the world are trending nicely ahead of the event.
The 7,565-yard layout at Augusta National is incredibly challenging but if players have their ‘A’ games, a very low score lies in wait for them.
What is your favourite hole at Augusta National?
The Masters is on the horizon and golf fans are getting VERY excited…
We have added drama this year with the Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau situation ahead of The Masters.
McIlroy lit the fuse with his latest comments about an incident involving DeChambeau during the final round of The Masters last year.
However, the magnificent golf course and the exceptional standard of golf should still both be the main draws this year, and that’s the way it should be.
With just 10 days remaining now until the opening tee shot of the 90th Masters, we have decided to take a look at the five best holes at Augusta National.
Augusta National’s best holes ranked: 5th-3rd
In fairness, every single hole at Augusta National is beautiful in its own way.
There is not a more aesthetically pleasing golf course in the world, and that’s obviously part of the allure for golf fans.
However, there are five holes in particular that stand out amongst the rest from both an aesthetic standpoint and an entertainment one.
Starting with the fifth best hole, here is my top five…
Coming in at number five is the par-five 15th, ‘Firehorn’. There have been some memorable shots hit on this hole throughout the years, including Jack Nicklaus’ putt for eagle in 1986, Sergio Garcia’s second shot into the green in 2017, Rory McIlroy’s roping draw around the trees from the left side of the fairway in 2025 and, of course, Gene Sarazen’s albatross after he hit a 4-wood from 235 yards out. The real beauty of the 15th is that players who lay up with their second shots face an incredibly challenging third shot, with the greens sloping back towards the water. A true masterpiece from Dr. Alister MacKenzie.
Another par-five, I am ranking the second as the fourth best hole at Augusta National. ‘Pink Dogwood’ is a 585-yard par-five that is built for drama, especially on Sundays! The incredibly wide yet shallow putting surface provides a huge challenge for players who are hitting their second shots into the green. However, the pin placement on Sunday is tucked down in the back right portion of the green and all of the slopes feed towards the hole. This makes for seriously exciting viewing on the final day of The Masters, and Louis Oosthuizen took full advantage in 2012 when he made an albatross on the hole.
Do you think we will ever see Tiger Woods play professional golf again?
The world famous 18th hole comes in at number three. ‘Holly’ as it is known, is a magnificent dog-leg right par four that stretches out to 465 yards. The key feature of the hole is the narrow chute through which golfers must hit their drives to find the fairway, and subsequently give themselves a chance to make birdie. Gigantic, deep bunkers await any wayward drives on the left side of the fairway while any tee shots hit to the right will be ensnared by some of Augusta’s tallest and most imposing Georgia pines. If you are to win The Masters, you must avoid disaster on the 18th hole throughout the week.
Augusta National’s two best holes
Coming in as the best two holes on the Augusta National property are right next to each other on the golf course.
At number two on my list is the majestic par-five 13th hole, known as ‘Azalea’. The hole has been incrementally lengthened throughout the years, and now stretches out to 545 yards from the back tees. Masters winners usually make a birdie or better on 13 on Sunday, although McIlroy was the outlier to that trend in 2025 when he made a disastrous double bogey seven on Sunday. The risk-reward element to the 13th hole is what makes it so special. Phil Mickelson’s approach into the green when he was in the pine straw and sitting behind a tree on Sunday in 2010 was one of the most memorable shots in the history of the game. Eagles and birdies are possible but so are bogeys, double bogeys and higher and that’s what makes the 13th hole so spectacular, aside from its obvious beauty, of course.
Finally, the best hole at Augusta National in my opinion is the par-three 12th – ‘Golden Bell’. The wonderful short par-three is only 155 yards long, but has derailed many players attempting to win The Masters throughout the years. The shallow green makes distance control incredibly difficult when the wind is swirling – something that numerous players have found out the hard way in the past, including Jordan Spieth in 2016 when he crumbled on the back nine after holding a five-shot lead with just nine holes to play. At the same time, there have been some crucial birdies made by players who went on to become champions, including Phil Mickelson in 2004. A truly exceptional golf hole, from both a design and aesthetic perspective.
Obviously this is all open for debate and it’s incredibly difficult to look at any hole at Augusta National and label it as a poor design!
The big takeaway here is that three of the five best holes are par-fives and the best hole is the shortest par three on the golf course.
Golf fans love to see drama, and all five holes I have selected above guarantee the patrons and those watching on their televisions the most intoxicating excitement possible.
Nobody knows who will win The Masters this year, but what I can guarantee is that Augusta National will provide golf fans with an unforgettable week once again.
Let us know on TalkingPoints what you think of the list above!
Receive exclusive golf news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
