What would you shoot at Augusta....

[jamo]

I think the length would really hurt me. Long irons are probably my biggest weakness (though getting better and better).

[limoric]

Most scratch golfers would not be scratch at Augusta. If they are playing mostly course which are rated 72 with an average slope, they most likely would play anywere from a 2-4. Having never played it, I would say breaking 90 would be highly unlikely. Now give that player a practice round, a tour caddy and a pro's yardage book and for sure most would play 5-10 above their hadicap for the course.

I don't think your average touring pro would break 80 the first time (no practice round, no tour caddy)

Round 1, I would not break 100.

Round 2, I would likely play 2X my hadicap, assuming I had the same tools as the pros.

I played Ko'olau a few years back when I was playing to about a 10 handicap. Tournament tees are 7,310 yards, 75.7 course rating and 152 slope. I played the championship tees rated at 73.5 and a slope of 145. My best round on the 4th day was 84. The greens were rolling between 9 and 10. Augusta is estimated to be rated above 76

[k-troop]

Originally Posted by limoric

Most scratch golfers would not be scratch at Augusta. If they are playing mostly course which are rated 72 with an average slope, they most likely would play anywere from a 2-4. Having never played it, I would say breaking 90 would be highly unlikely. Now give that player a practice round, a tour caddy and a pro's yardage book and for sure most would play 5-10 above their hadicap for the course.

I don't think your average touring pro would break 80 the first time (no practice round, no tour caddy)

Round 1, I would not break 100.

Round 2, I would likely play 2X my hadicap, assuming I had the same tools as the pros.

I played Ko'olau a few years back when I was playing to about a 10 handicap. Tournament tees are 7,310 yards, 75.7 course rating and 152 slope. I played the championship tees rated at 73.5 and a slope of 145. My best round on the 4th day was 84. The greens were rolling between 9 and 10. Augusta is estimated to be rated above 76

How many of your strokes at Ko'olau were due to lost balls, penalty strokes, and re-tees?  None of those issues at Augusta (well, except for Rory last year).  I think it would be all about position on the greens and putting.

[mchepp]

I would shoot a ton. High 90's would be my guess.

I played Pebble  from the back tees and I did not break 90. Once you got into the rough you had to sand wedge it out. On the 3rd I tried an 8 iron and advanced it about 6 feet. From then on I only hit wedges.

The thing about Augusta is I suspect the greens can be deceiving. I think the 12th for example is a sliver to try to hit. I don't think I could reach 11 in 2. I also think I would 3 putt A TON.

[iacas]

Originally Posted by limoric

Most scratch golfers would not be scratch at Augusta. If they are playing mostly course which are rated 72 with an average slope, they most likely would play anywere from a 2-4.

...

Augusta is estimated to be rated above 76

So if they shoot 76, they'd have played to a scratch handicap...

[k-troop]

Originally Posted by mchepp

I would shoot a ton. High 90's would be my guess.

I played Pebble  from the back tees and I did not break 90. Once you got into the rough you had to sand wedge it out. On the 3rd I tried an 8 iron and advanced it about 6 feet. From then on I only hit wedges.

The thing about Augusta is I suspect the greens can be deceiving. I think the 12th for example is a sliver to try to hit. I don't think I could reach 11 in 2. I also think I would 3 putt A TON.

Yeah, 12 would be tough.  I think I'd aim for the front left regardless of where the pin was--but it's still just a 9-iron.  The rest of the greens are huge, though, but you'd have to be below the hole or in a place where you can use the slope to your advantage.

The rough wouldn't be an issue though.

I think what would give most regular golfers fits is hitting 40-yard pitch shots from very tight lies to fast, elevated, sloping greens.  That and trying to 2-putt from 40 feet with three breaks and four elevation changes.

[limoric]

Originally Posted by iacas

So if they shoot 76, they'd have played to a scratch handicap...

Yup...

I see what you're saying. I should have said most scatch golfers would not play to their home course rating or the course rating of most of the courses they play...

[dsc123]

Unofficially, its rated 78.1 with a slope of 137.

http://www.golfdigest.com/golf-tours-news/golf-masters/2010-04/how-tough-augusta-knuth?currentPage=1

According to this, on average players shoot three over their course handicap.

At 15.8, this guy thinks I would shoot about 100.

[k-troop]

Originally Posted by dsc123

Unofficially, its rated 78.1 with a slope of 137.

http://www.golfdigest.com/golf-tours-news/golf-masters/2010-04/how-tough-augusta-knuth?currentPage=1

According to this, on average players shoot three over their course handicap.

At 15.8, this guy thinks I would shoot about 100.

That's a fantastic article--thanks!  Confirms my prediction that I would shoot between 80-85.

[sean_miller]

Not sure I'd have a problem (relatively speaking) with the length with the right bag setup. Factor in 18 3-putts (54 putts or more) and I'd guess North of 100.

[The_Pharaoh]

I'd be disappointed not to break 80.

[Mr3Wiggle]

54 year old Randal Lewis, the reigning US Mid Am Champ, just fired an 81.

• Fairways Hit:  10 of 14
• Greens Hit:  6 of 18
• Sand Saves:  0 of 1
• Avg. Putts:  1.67
• Average Drive:  259.5
• Longest Drive:  266

Bogies on:  2, 7, 11, 14, 18

Double Bogies on:  5, 12

No holes under par.

[Ernest Jones]

I'd shoot Hootie Johnson for being such a pompous pug.

LOL.

Then I'd shoot myself for nine-putting!

[Shorty]

A few years ago Adam Scott was asked by a friend of his, who had a handicap of 1 or 2 what score Scott thought he'd shoot at Augusta. Scott told his friend that he wouldn't break 90.

[mdl]

The uncle who played off a 4-5 and whose best was a 92 does give me pause.  But I have a hard time believing it would be THAT ridiculous for a solid amateur.  Is it really that much worse than any other really tough championship course?  The winning scores from the Masters versus the winning scores at other big time courses where people like us actually get to play and see how hard it is seems to indicate that's not true.  And I never hear anyone claiming that a 5 HC couldn't break 100 at Bethpage Black from the tips.  Hell, I'd bet with 30 minutes on the practice green and a good warm up at the range that I could break 100 myself if I was having a solid day off the tee.

[The_Pharaoh]

In 1993, when I was a really inconsistent 2 handicapper, I shot 79 (+9) at Muirfield playing OK and that included losing 3 balls. I missed only 3 fairways and lost the ball on each occasion. Although I've never played Augusta, I did walk the course in 1994 and no way is it tougher than Muirfield. I know time has moved on but I'm guessing both courses have been toughened up equally for major championship play.

[Mr3Wiggle]

Originally Posted by mdl

The uncle who played off a 4-5 and whose best was a 92 does give me pause.  But I have a hard time believing it would be THAT ridiculous for a solid amateur.  Is it really that much worse than any other really tough championship course?  The winning scores from the Masters versus the winning scores at other big time courses where people like us actually get to play and see how hard it is seems to indicate that's not true.  And I never hear anyone claiming that a 5 HC couldn't break 100 at Bethpage Black from the tips.  Hell, I'd bet with 30 minutes on the practice green and a good warm up at the range that I could break 100 myself if I was having a solid day off the tee.

I think they key there is, are you playing the course under major championship conditions.  Lightning fast greens.  Or if it's a US Open, super deep and thick rough.

[BuckeyeNut]

When Tony Romo had a zero index,  he shot an 84 at Torrey Pines before the '08 open from the tips under Open conditions.    I'm sure some of you have seen the "US OPEN" challenge....... I know it's a totally different event, but just making a point.  It all started when Tiger said a 10hc couldn't break 100 and the made for TV event was soon on.... I think Justin Timberlake was a 10HC and he shot 99.  I know 1 or 2 other 10hcs have taken the made for TV challenge and shot around 99.......

With that said, I think I could break 90 at Augusta.  Of course, I'd have a caddy which is a given and a must to get around that course.   If I had an entire week to play 36 holes a day under those conditions, I feel confident that I could break 80 before I'm done.  It may only be once.......shooting a 79, but I'm just saying I think I can do it.  LOL

I think getting familiar with the course is a must......just going in their blind for 1 round is really tough.