5 holes that make Augusta National special

The five holes at Augusta National may mesmerize players and fans alike with their beauty, but that only conceals how treacherous they can be.

The Masters has been held every April at Augusta National for so long that every hole on the course is familiar to fans.

Some holes, though, define what makes Augusta National so memorable. From the infamous Amen Corner on the back-nine, to the closing 18th hole where Masters champions are crowned, these holes often decide who slips on the Green Jacket on Sunday afternoon.

Every hole at Augusta has its own charm and history, but these five in particular bring out the majesty and beauty of golf’s most sacred ground.

5. 10th hole (“Camellia”)

The old saying is that the Masters doesn’t begin until the back-nine on Sunday. If that’s true, then players are faced with a daunting task right from the start.

The 495-yard, par-four 10th hole is historically the hardest hole at Augusta National. Players hitting a long iron for their second shot will find it difficult to get anywhere near the hole on a green that slopes heavily from right-to-left. Even on the left side of the green, a downhill slope will carry away any wayward approach shots.

That isn’t to say this hole hasn’t had some exciting moments. Ben Crenshaw made a 60-foot birdie putt on this green in 1984 on his way to his first of two career Masters titles. In a sudden-death playoff in 2012, Bubba Watson hooked his drive from the pine straw around the trees and onto the green, 10 feet away from the hole.

The pronounced fairway bunker, the only one left from Alister MacKenzie’s original design, isn’t in play but is arguably the most memorable feature of this hole. Last year only 45 birdies were made here in four rounds.