A Few Thoughts On Lengthening Augusta National's 13th

On today's Morning Drive, Gary Williams and I kicked around the topic of Augusta National possibly acquiring land behind the 13th tee, as reported by Alex Miceli at Golfweek.com.

Reader Steve was horrified that I, as author of a book about the ball going too far, leading to the destruction of golf masterpieces, was not more bothered by the news.

So Steve, a few thoughts on why I'm not as alarmed by the news as you might think.

--As I wrote in today's Golf World, based on the club's plans to expand their campus and rearrange the Masters week patron experience following the 2016 and 2017 Masters, the primary reason for this land purchase appears inspired by greater control of Augusta National's perimeter. The purchase of nearby homes and the move of Berckmans already exemplified this desire to expand the ANGC boundaries. (BTW Berckmans Road opened yesterday with no major issues, in case you were wondering.) Acquiring this land allows for better control of prime acreage behind Amen Corner.

--The option to lengthen the 13th could be part of this purchase, and yes, with the artistically hapless Tom Fazio at the controls, endless precedent exists for total architectural point-missing. There is a reason he's been canned at several of the classic courses he once consulted at (Winged Foot, Merion, Bel-Air, etc...), which most could have seen coming when he referred in his book to the "so-called classic" era and architects. In the case of Augusta National, there is certainly the danger that the same point-missing ways that produced the unfortunate 11th hole could happen to the 13th. But my instincts about the current club chairman suggest he is well aware of the 13th hole's place as golf's greatest risk-reward hole. Any new tees added will be installed with preserving a balance of risk and reward.

--The $27 million price tag, if true, is perfectly affordable for the club and appropriate compensation to their neighbors who will alter a Donald Ross gem.

--Lengthening the 13th at Augusta after it was already lengthened in 2011 would force a revisiting of claims that distance increases have leveled out. Because contrary to the claims of the R&A and USGA that distance increases have not happened for several years, the cost to add yards here and at the 5th hole would suggest the folks in Augusta, Georgia don't see a leveling out. Therefore anything to make those silly claims look absurd would be welcomed with joy, especially when someone else is picking up the tab.