If you’ve read our golf tips newsletter, you know what we think about approach shots. They’re critical to breaking 80 consistently because they lead to hitting greens in regulation (GIR). GIRs are a key to lowering your golf handicap. The more greens you achieve during a round, the better your chances of making pars and birdies. Unfortunately, you can learn the art of hitting greens in regulation in golf instruction sessions. You have to play a lot to develop this skill.
If there’s one course that illustrates how critical approach shots are to a good score, it’s Augusta National. This year’s event could provide a golf lesson in just how critical they are to the layers in the field. Putting will be important at the Masters, but if there is one course where you could say that approach shots match putting in importance, it’s Augusta. Approach shots can make or break you there. Below we look at four of the course’s tougher holes and the approach shot challenges they provide.
Hole 4/Par 3/240 Yards
This hole is downright treacherous. It’s made harder by deceptive winds. Two bunkers in front guard the green, which slopes back to front. Originally shaped like a boomerang, the green is a bit wider now and the bend not quite as extreme. Nevertheless, it’s a tough target to hit. This green requires a high fade approach shot hit with a long iron, but you must be accurate because you could end up in the right front bunker if you miss. If you do, you could be looking at a double-bogey.
Hole 5/Par 5/510
An accurate tee shot to the fairway’s center on this dogleg left allows a player to go for the green in two. But the hole sets up for a difficult approach shot. That’s because tournament players are usually hitting their second shots from a sidehill lie. These lies, as you may recall from my golf tips newsletter or from attending golf instructions sessions, favor a hook. This green requires a cut shot, not a hook. What’s more, a tributary from Rae’s Creek winds in front of a raised green, while four bunkers loom behind it. Miss your approach shot and you’re in deep trouble.
Hole 15/Par 5/530 Yards
It was here that Gene Sarazen hit his famous “shot heard round the world” in 1935, 4-wood approach shot from 235 yards for a double eagle. The hole is reachable in two for better players. But missing the approach shot can really derail a golfer’s game because he’s facing a tough downhill lie. What you want is a high cut shot off the downslope that will hold a shallow green. That’s hard to hit from there. If you hit it thin, you could end up in a pond. If you lay up, you’re facing another difficult downhill lie, a shot you could hit fat or thin. Hit it over the green and you’re in trouble as well. You can’t afford to miss your approach shot here.
Hole 18/Par 4/465 Yards
Two bunkers protect this uphill dogleg right at the fairway’s left elbow. A drive hit down the center requires a middle iron for an approach shot to a deep, narrow green guarded by one bunker short-left and another hard right. Originally, the 18th green had two distinct tiers. The surrounding areas have been contoured to improve sight lines for spectators. This is an uphill hole. Uphill holes are blind. They usually don’t set up well for approach shots. This hole is no exception. Missing your approach shot here can cost you dearly—especially on Sunday.
Approach shots are critical to breaking 80 during a round. The four holes described above illustrate just how critical they are on some courses. If you’ve been reading our golf tips newsletter, you know about our regard for approach shots. They lead to more greens in regulation (GIR). You won’t break 80 consistently or cut your golf handicap without making your share of them. The more GIRs you record, the more pars and birdies you’ll card. Carding more pars and birdies boosts your game to the next level.