Augusta National, venue for The Masters, is regarded as a very tricky course, and it's one of the reasons why a rookie hasn't won the Green Jacket since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979.
It may be arguably the world's most beautiful layout, but danger lurks on every hole at Augusta National, whether that's with the water, most famously at Rae's Creek, or its notoriously undulating greens, making it a challenge to avoid big numbers for even the most accomplished pros.
So, which holes are the hardest at Augusta National? And which are the easiest?
Overall, the back nine is more difficult than the front nine at Augusta National, with six of the top-10 hardest holes facing players after the turn.
The toughest hole in Masters history is the 11th, the first of the notorious three-hole stretch, Amen Corner. Immediately before that, the 10th is the second-toughest in what is a very demanding opening to the back nine.
The 10th, Camellia, is a long par 4 at 495 yards that plays downhill towards a green sloping right to left. It has played an average of +0.298 through the years, but if players come through that test unscathed, there's even more to consider on the 11th.
The 520-yard par 4 is a dogleg right leading players to a green guarded by water left. Between 1942 and 2024 at The Masters, it has played an average of 0.304 over par, making it the most difficult of the lot.
There's no let-up for players after that either, with the 12th the fourth toughest on the course. The hole in question is arguably the most famous par 3 in the world, Golden Bell, with wind swirling above the pine trees and Rae's Creek in front of a green guarded by three bunkers. It has an average score of 3.269.
On the front nine is the third-most difficult hole, the par-3 4th. The 240-yard downhiller has a big green but it slopes and is guarded by two huge bunkers left and short right. It has played at 3.283 at The Masters through the years.
Augusta National's four par 5s are the easiest, and it's on those that players really need to make their score if they're to have success at The Masters. The second is statistically the easiest, followed by the 13th, the 15th and the 8th.
While the 4th is the toughest par 3, and the 12th is almost as difficult for the world's best, the easiest short hole is the 6th. The 180-yarder, named Juniper, has a very demanding green but plays considerably shorter thanks to it being downhill. It has a score of +0.136 throughout Masters history, ranking it as the 12th-toughest hole.
The easiest par 4 is the 3rd hole, which is also the only par 4 under 400 yards at Augusta National, measuring 350 yards. It has an average score of 4.076.
Augusta National hardest holes:
(Ranked in order of toughest to easiest, +/- indicates score to par over Masters history)
- 1st. 11th hole, par 4: +0.304
- 2nd. 10th hole, par 4: +0.298
- 3rd. 4th hole, par 3: +0.283
- 4th. 12th hole par 3: +0.269
- 5th. 5th hole, par 4: +0.266
- 6th. 1st hole, par 4: +0.237
- 7th. 18th hole, par 4: +0.232
- 8th. 14th hole, par 4: +0.165
- 9th. 17th hole, par 4: +0.163
- 10th. 7th hole, par 4: +0.157
- 11th. 16th hole, par 3: +0.138
- 12th. 6th hole, par 4: +0.136
- 13th. 9th hole, par 3: +0.136
- 14th. 3rd hole, par 4: +0.073
- 15th. 8th hole, par 5: -0.184
- 16th. 15th hole, par 5: -0.221
- 17th. 13th hole, par 5: -0.226
- 18th. 2nd hole, par 5: -0.227
Which are the easiest holes at Augusta National?
Historically, in terms of score-to-par, the four par 5s at Augusta National have proved the easiest to score well on. The four longest holes are also the only holes on which the average score is below par.
The 2nd hole has historically been the best scoring hole, with an average score of 4.773 (-0.227) through the years.
