My Trip To Augusta National

[Dr. Sak]

On Monday I had the opportunity to see (in my opinion) the most beautiful golf course in the country, Augusta National. I was lucky enough to win a lottery for practice round tickets and myself, two of my friends, and my father made the journey from Pittsburgh to Augusta.

The trip was great and it was especially great that I got to share this experience with my dad. We left early on Saturday and drove to Charlotte, spent the night there. Got up early Sunday to golf and then drove to Aiken South Carolina, which is a beautiful little town just about 20 minutes from Augusta.

On Monday we drove into Augusta. Even thought it is pretty hard to get tickets, the tournament does not rake you over the coals for money once you get them. Parking was free, beer was $2, a sandwich was $1.50 and merchandise was not that bad. Seeing the course for the first time however was priceless.

The grass was just so perfect and each tree looked like it was placed in just the correct spot. Television does not do this course justice at all. The greens look even more difficult in person than on TV and the second shot into 15 (Par 5), looks so difficult with the lake in the front and back. We walked the course 2 times and watched the players skip the ball across the lake at 16 onto the green in the afternoon.

The most amazing part of the course I would say is the tee shot at 18. Not only do you have to hit it up a chute of trees, but the hole plays entirely uphill. I don't know how these guys get close to the bunkers but they do.

If anyone is interested, I took a bunch of pictures and they are linked in this post. My suggestion is if you ever get a chance to see this place, I suggest you do. It is well worth the trip.

Masters Set 1

Masters Set 2

[Schmidty]

I'm jealous. I admit it.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Awesome stuff. Thanks for sharing.

[Lorena]

Yes, awesome indeed. I love the Pouter one where he's in the bunker.

[Subby]

Great trip report. This is definitely on my list of things to do before I die...

[Dr. Sak]

Originally Posted by Subby

Great trip report. This is definitely on my list of things to do before I die...

Funny that you said that...on the way back I told the people that I was with that if I died after Monday I'd be fine. That was the one place I wanted to see before I went.

[Coffee Warlord]

Gorgeous shots.

From the angle of those shots, I take it they give you a lot more liberal access to the course early in the week?

[Coffee Warlord]

Dola.

And 18 looks so much like 1 at Medinah. Imagine having to START the round with that shit.

[Dr. Sak]

Originally Posted by Coffee Warlord

Gorgeous shots.

From the angle of those shots, I take it they give you a lot more liberal access to the course early in the week?

Well the only thing they let us do on a practice round that you wouldn't be allowed to do on a tournament round is stand in the crosswalks in the fairway and take pictures. There weren't many players out there and sometimes 20 to 30 minutes between groups, so they would let you stand in the fairway crosswalks and take pictures.

[Dr. Sak]

Dola

I also was at Oakmont for the US Open for the entire week. In one word that course would be described as Rustic. Very nice but not as pleasing to the eye as Augusta National.

[NoSkillz]

Originally Posted by bsak16

Dola

I also was at Oakmont for the US Open for the entire week. In one word that course would be described as Rustic. Very nice but not as pleasing to the eye as Augusta National.

Didn't know there were a lot of golf fans on here. Great to see.

I actually played Oakmont last October and you're right about the look of the course...not the prettiest girl in the world but there is something about the place that oozes charm.

Now Augusta...I can only dream of seeing the place in person.

Thank you so much for the pictures and sharing the experience. You'll cherish those pictures for the rest of your life, I'd be willing to bet.

Just breathtaking!

[vtbub]

Beautiful stuff, Brian.

[Dr. Sak]

Originally Posted by NoSkillz

Didn't know there were a lot of golf fans on here. Great to see.

I actually played Oakmont last October and you're right about the look of the course...not the prettiest girl in the world but there is something about the place that oozes charm.

You lucky SOB ...I'd love to play Oakmont. I drive past it everyday going to work. I've played Oakmont East (the crappy public course next to it) and on #9 of Oakmont East you get a great view up #18 of Oakmont CC up the fairway to the Clubhouse.

[cartman]

I've been to Augusta, but never will be able to play there. But I've been lucky enough to play a round a Pebble Beach, and it was incredible. On a day when there isn't any fog, I'd have to put it as my pick for most beautiful course.

[NoSkillz]

Originally Posted by bsak16

You lucky SOB ...I'd love to play Oakmont. I drive past it everyday going to work. I've played Oakmont East (the crappy public course next to it) and on #9 of Oakmont East you get a great view up #18 of Oakmont CC up the fairway to the Clubhouse.

Yeah, I got very lucky last year, as I played Riviera CC in Pacific Palisades (home of the LA/Nissan/Northern Trust Open) in August then got to play Oakmont in October.

If you're interested in how I got on or want to take a look at my trip report and pictures from my golf blog, just PM me. I don't want to derail this thread any more than I already have!

[Pumpy Tudors]

wtf man i don't see any hot booty in any of those pictures

why the fuck u even go down there damn

[Ironhead]

I actually grew up in Augusta so I guess that takes some of the mystique away from the course. Not that I have ever actually set foot on it. It is just kind of "there" as you drive up Washington Rd.

[Dr. Sak]

I just got a nice surprise in my mailbox today...I won the lottery for practice round tickets and will be going back down next year for the Tuesday practice round!

[SackAttack]

Originally Posted by Dr. Sak

I just got a nice surprise in my mailbox today...I won the lottery for practice round tickets and will be going back down next year for the Tuesday practice round!

Twice in three years makes me wonder if you're, like, one of only two or three people IN this lottery.

[Dr. Sak]

Originally Posted by SackAttack

Twice in three years makes me wonder if you're, like, one of only two or three people IN this lottery.

HA! Actually my dad won it 3 years ago...I won it this year.

[Logan]

Originally Posted by Dr. Sak

HA! Actually my dad won it 3 years ago...I won it this year.

Originally Posted by Dr. Sak

I was lucky enough to win a lottery for practice round tickets

Lying bastard.

[Dr. Sak]

I will have pictures up probably this weekend from Augusta.

[PilotMan]

I flew into Augusta yesterday from La Guardia. It's only the second time there, as we only operate those legs during Masters week.

[Dr. Sak]

For those interested...my pictures...

The Masters 2011 - a set on Flickr

[Galaxy]

Originally Posted by cartman

I've been to Augusta, but never will be able to play there. But I've been lucky enough to play a round a Pebble Beach, and it was incredible. On a day when there isn't any fog, I'd have to put it as my pick for most beautiful course.

Have to make very good friends with one of the 300 members of Augusta to play.

[Dr. Sak]

I saw a few members on the course but didn't have enough guts to ask them if I could touch their green jacket.

[NoSkillz]

Originally Posted by Dr. Sak

For those interested...my pictures...

The Masters 2011 - a set on Flickr

Sick!

[Dr. Sak]

I lucked out again...a Co-Worker just came up and asked if I wanted 2 tickets to Tuesday's practice Round. 3 Times in 9 years.

If history repeats itself...another South African will win.