More yards added to one of Masters’ toughest tests but Redbud ace overdue – hole-by-hole guide to Augusta National

The Masters will spark into life again this week as golf’s best wade through Firethorn and Holly in pursuit of a green jacket.

The traditions and pageantry of Augusta National already make it a sporting highlight, and that’s without factoring in the stunning visuals.

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The Masters, which kickstarts golf’s grand slam season each year, is also home to some of the most famous holes in the entire sport.

Augusta suffered ‘catastrophic’ damage from Hurricane Helene in 2024, with severe flooding and fallen trees.

Fortunately, club chairman Fred Ridley confirmed the course recovered well and it looked as spectacular as ever as Rory McIlroy claimed glory last year.

There has been one notable change to the course for the 2026 event with the 17th hole, Nandina, extended.

1st (Tea Olive), 445 yards, par four

A deep bunker on the right of the fairway and trees on both sides make for a daunting start, while the long and left of the undulating green both spell big trouble. 

Played the hardest hole on the course in 2012 and again in 2017, so it’s always a tricky start.

McIlroy double bogeyed the hole in his turbulent final round last year before claiming play-off glory.

2025 average: 4.166 (rank 6)

2nd (Pink Dogwood), 585 yards, par five

A new tee in 2024 added 10 yards to a hole which cost Padraig Harrington a nine in 2009, but Louis Oosthuizen memorably holed his second shot for an albatross in the final round in 2012. 

An important early birdie chance and the easiest hole in 2016, 2020, 2023 and last year.

There were a whopping nine eagles on the second in 2025, including McIlroy’s in his third round 66.

2025 average: 4.615 (rank 18)

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3rd (Flowering Peach), 350 yards, par four

This is the shortest par four on the course, but a pear-shaped green with a steep slope in front allows for some wicked pin positions. 

Charl Schwartzel pitched in for eagle in the final round en route to the title in 2011, while Scottie Scheffler chipped in from an impossible position before winning in 2022.

2025 average: 3.909 (rank 15)

4th (Flowering Crab Apple), 240 yards, par three

The back tee – not always used – turns it into a beast, with the green sloping from back to front. 

Phil Mickelson took six in the final round in 2012 and finished two shots outside the play-off.

Jeff Sluman’s ace in 1992 remains the only hole-in-one.

2025 average: 3.209 (rank 5)

5th (Magnolia), 495 yards, par four

Jack Nicklaus twice holed his second shot in 1995, and Colin Montgomerie did it in 2000, but it’s another devilishly difficult green. 

To clear the fairway, bunkers require a 315-yard carry, and the hole was lengthened by 40 yards for 2019.

There were only 18 birdies on the 5th last year but 88 bogeys and 10 doubles or worse.

2025 average: 4.324 (rank 1)

6th (Juniper), 180 yards, par three

From a high tee to a green with huge slopes in it, the pin positions are vital to how this hole plays.

There have been five holes-in-one – including Jamie Donaldson in 2013 – but Jose Maria Olazabal took seven in 1991 and lost by one to Ian Woosnam.

As the 2025 average shows, this a hole to just get your par and move on.

2025 average: 3.020 (rank 11)

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7th (Pampas), 450 yards, par four

What used to be a real birdie chance has been lengthened by 40 yards, while trees were also added and the putting surface reshaped. 

A very narrow fairway and more bunkers – five – around the green than any other hole.

2025 average: 4.091 (rank 10)

8th (Yellow Jasmine), 570 yards, par five

The bunker on the right, about 300 yards out, pushes players left, and from there, it is harder to find the green in two up the steep hill. 

Bruce Devlin made an albatross here in 1967 while there have been countless highlights of players using the humps and bumps around the green to get it close – or in.

This hole yielded both the most birdies and fewest bogeys last year so picking up a shot here is a must.

2025 average: 4.618 (rank 17)

9th (Carolina Cherry), 460 yards, par four

The raised green, with two bunkers on the left, tilts sharply from the back, and anything rolling off the front can continue down for 50-60 yards.

Another hole where the pin placement dictates much of the strategy and expect plenty of birdies to Sunday’s famous hole position behind the slope.

Danny Willett, the 2016 champion, spun it down the hill to make an rare eagle on this hole in his second round last year.

2025 average: 3.956 (rank 13)

10th (Camellia), 495 yards, par four

There is a 100-foot drop from tee to green on this dogleg left, and over all the years of the Masters, this has been the second most difficult hole.

It was here that Rory McIlroy began to fall apart in 2011 with a seven, while Bubba Watson clinched the title in 2012 by making par with a snap hook from the trees in the play-off.

2025 average: 4.162 (rank 7)

11th (White Dogwood), 520 yards, par four

The start of Amen Corner and one the toughest holes historically.

Players must avoid the water left of the green while a series of humps make approach shots unpredictable if players stray right.

Best remembered for Larry Mize’s chip-in in 1987 and Nick Faldo’s back-to-back play-off wins.

2025 average: 4.240 (rank 3)

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12th (Golden Bell), 155 yards, par three

Probably the most famous par three in world golf and the scene of many disasters.

With the narrow target, water in front, trouble at the back and swirling wind, it has seen everything from a one to Tom Weiskopf’s 13 in 1980. 

Defending champion Jordan Spieth took seven in the final round in 2016 in a dramatic back-nine collapse, and Tiger Woods made 10 in the final round in 2020.

2025 average: 3.139 (rank 8)

13th (Azalea), 545 yards, par five

The end of Amen Corner sees this massive dogleg left, lengthened by 35 yards for 2023, with a tilted fairway and creek guarding the green.

Phil Mickelson hits one of the great Augusta shots from the pinestraw at the 2010 Masters before claiming glory.

Augusta bosses recently purchased land behind the 13th tee box and have the option to lengthen the hole by some 40 more yards if they wish in future years.

2025 average: 4.828 (rank 16)

14th (Chinese Fir), 440 yards, par four

The only hole on the course without a bunker, but three putts are common on the wickedly difficult green.

Course-record holder Nick Price took eight here in 1993, while Mickelson also holed his approach en route to his 2010 victory.

1992 winner Fred Couples rolled back the years last April by holing out for eagle on this hole.

2025 average: 3.993 (rank 12)

15th (Firethorn), 550 yards, par five

Often, it’s a tough decision whether to go for the green in two with a pond covering the front of the green and a tricky slope and more water lurking behind.

Gene Sarazen sank his 235-yard four-wood shot for an albatross in 1935, but there have also been three 11s here.

McIlroy hit one of his greatest ever shots to make birdie on this hole in his final round last year.

2025 average: 4.926 (rank 14)

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16th (Redbud), 170 yards, par three

Woods’ memorable chip-in in 2005 came the same year as 73-year-old Billy Casper’s 14, while Ian Poulter, Shane Lowry and Tommy Fleetwood are among the players to record holes-in-one.

Past Masters Champion Patrick Reed revealed last year that this green ‘was completely destroyed’ and rebuilt in the recent Hurricane Helene.

Stewart Cink recorded the last hole-in-one on the 16th during the 2022 Masters so we may be overdue another.

2025 average: 3.139 (rank 8)

17th (Nandina), 450 yards, par four

The famous Eisenhower Tree was removed after suffering storm damage, making for an easier tee shot on the hole Justin Rose double-bogeyed when one off the lead in 2007.

Nicklaus birdied here to take the lead as he won his 18th major in 1986, but a tough penultimate hole for leaders and chasers alike.

And it’s been made harder this year with ten yards added and the tee box repositioned.

2025 average: 4.230 (rank 4)

18th (Holly), 465 yards, par four

The drive was made much harder when the tee was moved back 60 yards in 2002, and 2023 champion Jon Rahm failed to reach the fairway in the final round after pulling his drive into the trees.

The fairway bunker from which Sandy Lyle got up and down to win in 1988 is now 300 yards away.

McIlroy bogeyed the 72nd hole in regulation here last year before making birdie to win it in his play-off with Rose.

2025 average: 4.243 (rank 2)