The Hidden Details of Augusta National | Golf Digest

Fly high above the most famous golf course in the world. Narrated by our very own Shane Ryan, you'll learn about the course, the buildings and the things you've never noticed about Augusta National Golf Club.
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[@TheChainChasers]

I caddied for member play for a few years. This even told me some stuff I wasn’t aware of. Great production. I worked masters week at berkmans corner reading putts on the replica greens for 10 bucks an hour basically sun up to sun down lol

[@billy1673]

That must’ve been a phenomenal experience.

[@cmurda-e2r]

grew up here my whole life, been to masters lots of times. didnt realize till i got older the significance of the tournament. Every hotel within 60 miles is 500-1500 a night masters week and ppl paying 10k+ for tickets flying in on private jets. Truly an insane event.

[@user-gy7og5yh2s]

That’s pretty cool, I have something similar with Wimbledon tennis

[@Hillbillykaren]

You haven't been to the masters

[@AlBeebe]

what an excellent well put together video

[@dobermanpac1064]

The Masters is why I’m a golf fan. Thanks for sharing a bit of history.

[@4wheelliving132]

Excellent video, I learned a few things. I always thought Butlers Cabin was actually the downstairs of where the Crow's Nest is. I didn't realize it was a separate building

[@HAZE3047]

I have been to the Masters twice and both times were the two best days of my life. It is truly a magical place and the ending of this video is spot on... I cannot wait to hopefully one day return.

[@michaelgiammarino7313]

I would like go at least one time lol

[@joelterwilliger9901]

I’ve been to the Masters multiple times. Great fun, but does not rank as “best days of my life.”

[@Whendy8]

@@joelterwilliger9901cool

[@HAZE3047]

@@joelterwilliger9901 You must have went with the wrong people. I took my parents and they were the best days of my life no doubt about it.

[@joelterwilliger9901]

Good for you. I’ve been with my parents and brothers. Last trip with my wife and son. Fun times.

[@allanackerly9564]

I think that secluded green by the cabins near the 10th hole was the green Rory thought he had to hit to on the 10th in the final round of the 2011 Masters..

[@GatorNick]

😂😂

[@ZenithLegend]

Great video. Now I need to see someone make an "Augusta National / Masters Iceberg" video.

[@MaartenAnna]

Love it! I wanted to know about that green, but got so much more info I didn’t know about.

[@gregsj1]

so good thanks for sharing

[@joesmith6972]

Seeing the rocks showing in Rae's creek has me convinced Augusta National is able to drop the levels of all their water features so the grass on the banks can be grown lower than the normal water lines we see during tournament week.

[@ShaDOWDoG667]

Yeah, we have a dam on property.

[@bryankean8521]

You can see it on Google Maps just east and south of the pond on #11.

[@jeffrey3498]

The Thackers [sp?] have one of the nicest backyards in the country.

[@billykarnes6035]

If they did a Verbo rental during Masters Week. It would pay for a very nice vacation.

[@eddiemaylor2716]

It was really helpful to put some of the buildings and structures into context and see where they were, thanks.

[@billpowell702]

Well done... thank you👍

[@CPlusDrums]

This is so well done.

[@josiahpresberry1263]

I used to live in Augusta. What’s confusing is how much money comes through the city because of masters but where does it all go. Would really help the city look a lot better

[@KylewithanL]

As a native Augustan…you would be shocked to see the neighborhoods that border the National to the south. Weed St baby!! Literally (Also, I think most of the players with private jets fly in through Daniel Field)

[@kyqx]

Too short of a runway. Only a small fraction of jets (slowest) can get into Daniel.

[@KylewithanL]

@@kyqx Did you see how many private jets were there last week??

[@bld9696]

@@KylewithanL Those were at Augusta Regional. You can barely land a Honda jet at Daniels.

[@raizedbynerdz8718]

Incorrect on the TPA. that is also used during member tournaments. Normal play days use the old range.

[@kidpagronprimsank05]

I wonder anyone ever send ball to Augusta CC when some holes of National were alongside it

[@donerickson7305]

I had always read Roberts took his life near Rae's creek on the 12th hole

[@jeffharb8455]

No...par 3 course steep slope.... I highly recommend listening to the golfers Journal podcast special about Augusta earlier this year

[@Nico_B_]

Great video

[@christopherpiacentini1830]

Of course even the airport has a putting green

[@jonathanh2605]

Fascinating

[@martybruce]

1 part that is 100% not true, members can absolutely use the new practice facilities. You walk up to which brand of golf ball you would like to practice with, grab a bag, and head out to the driving chipping or bunker facilities

[@Estimated]

A bit ridiculous. No summer play, the members cant use the state of the art practice facilities. So much excess for 1 week of the year.

[@J_B17]

Who cares it’s fantastic and we aren’t paying for it. I’m sure the members are happy enough or else they wouldn’t be members.

[@avvvyosrs1638]

Not everything is about juicing every ounce of it. That's what makes this week special. Also its like 100F with 100% humidity during the summer there. You wouldn't want to golf then anyways, that's off season.

[@PatRiarchy-qw6cp]

Jealous?

[@Eat-MyGoal]

@@PatRiarchy-qw6cp Huh?

[@Fezziekid]

I kind of agree. I mean there are courses in the UK ranked as high by architects and you can play there and hang out with the members, who are usually just avid golfers that live locally.

[@stemtostern7611]

Never been inside the Joint. Drove around it once, seeing a Wall 20 feet high Green screen. There are no Birds or Squirrels. You hear birds on TV but that is all added to the back ground for TV. Squirrels were trapped out long ago. When the guy here says moderate income families he is being kind., the Slums surround Augusta course. You'll notice as you view the Masters on TV the camera view we see has no view of the surrounding area of the course, it never go's above the tree's. This is only what I hear but I hear there are underground facilities that you don't see either. Makes sense, have you ever seen a tractor or piece of machinery by off chance? Me neither. You attempt to climb that 15/ 20 foot fence surrounding the course they will have you by the ear or worse and get you a one way ticket to the slammer. The only people to play this are Pro's and they just don't walk on either. They have to have a Official member of Augusta course invite you. With a Georgia slang of U of G reference Only the Top DAWGS get to smell the grass. Getting a ticket in there is pretty tough nut to crack. You might hopefully have a friend of a friend get you a ticket in. Someone decided to beat the system and offer a ticket along with a special deal condo rental but I think that has been shut down? IMHO it is the Holy Grail for Golfers. Do I think Masters is being to constricted? Not that it matters what I think.But No! I've seen my share of Beer can throwing idiots and whisky drinks enough to know it just may not be tough enough. It's the Golfer Disney World Pimento cheese sandwiches and Lemonade along with chairs that are designed for your Fat asses to sit in. You just can't beat that combination. 😆 Fore!

[@Crushfire24]

This is one of the best comments ever left on YTube … well done my man and thank you for this gem

[@ww2remembered983]

Really.

[@raz636man]

I live around the course with Raes creek in my backyard. It’s definitely not the slums. No birds because they use firecrackers to scare them off. I’ve been out there 30 to 40 times.

[@sylfan1]

@4:08 - "Discreet to find..." Except for the road that leads to it and around it.

[@kepler240]

Yet here we are looking at it.

[@interestedbystander196]

Private road.

[@ianmcgaughey1]

Members definitely use the new practice facility. They took out the old one after building the new one

[@zalexander2544]

No they didn’t. The new one replaced a gravel lot that would have semi trucks and media trucks during the tournament. The old practice area is still where it’s always been.

[@rotarycomptech]

That was awesome thanks

[@Ed03376]

I'm fairly certain the picture they highlighted was Tyrell Hatton and not Scott Brown.

[@GolfDigest]

It’s definitely Scott Brown. He does look like Tyrrell though!

[@DeepDishPeteza]

Great video, but $140 million for the players practice range? That can’t be right… $30 million is an absolutely outlandish budget for an entire golf course.

[@acbower4468]

I’m guessing they had to buy the land in that area…it’s the only conclusion I can come up with.

[@keithduncan4450]

​@@acbower4468it was the old parking lot.

[@danbrown6466]

Lived in augusta all of my 40 years ,and these days the course is out of place as augusta has been taken over with drugs and crime.... Washington road is horrible with the exception of masters week..

[@raz636man]

Not true. I live on Raes creek.

[@gasperm3]

Its basically Willy Wonkas Chocolate factory! I would like someone to do some facts about the greenskeeping staff at Augusta! They are, probably the only people associated with Augusta that actually live there year round. What does it take to get on that staff, who is on the staff, etc?

[@russhenry9232]

If you're going to do a video about the "hidden details" you really need to include a conversation about the huge pile of bunker "sand" in the nursey area on the SE corner of the property, or the other various cabins around the property, or maybe the massive administration building or gift shops. Then there's the tunnel ANGC built under Washington Rd to their new frontier of expansion. And then finally, there are 2 tunnels leading underground on the main property - one next to the member's range and another just behind the gift shop, next to the main road. They're too close to just be there to serve one another, but there doesn't appear to be any other exit tunnels in the area. Fred Ridley spoke this year about possibly adding some underground parking soon - I'd say that's a lot closer to being a reality than he lead on. Others have also speculated about the existence of underground tunnels or ways to get around the course without being seen - but those may simply be urban legend. And no comment about the hotel looking facility across Washington Rd - no one seems to be talking about what it is. I don't believe it's the new hospitality venue Map & Flag but it may be. And then how about the giant warehouse that's going in next to it - is that to store merchandise that is only sold for about 8 days a year? Lots of questions. Good video but could've covered more.

[@AlexandertheGreat033]

lol it’s a Masonic temple for Freemasons directly across the street on Washington road and that’s why no one talks about it👁️

[@carrd3971]

are we not gonna talk about the practice green inside that airport?

[@chosen1one930]

Augusta Country Club also overseeds with Rye grass, mainly just in the fairways and maybe on the greens and tees because they don't have bentgrass greens (at least I don't think they do not sure) you ca. Tell this because if any grass is dormant is your satellite photo ALL the grass should be dormant unless overseeded. Both courses no longer strip fairways or anything besides the greens but with newer hybrid cultivars of grasses coming out your seeing less and less stripes in the grass. Warm season grasses do not strike very well because of its growth habits and grain.

[@parkermixes8851]

ANGC* (Not a country club) Most definitely has Bentgrass greens.

[@TK-ro5nn]

You say there's strangely no birds on the course. Does that mean all the birds one hears during the masters tournament are piped in via sound track? I suspected this anyway as the birds seem quite on que and at perfect volume.

[@raz636man]

They use firecrackers to rid the course of birds 11 months out of the year.

[@beefchops1400]

Looks like a lot of snobbery to me and I’m Scottish and there’s plenty of that here in Scottish golf clubs let me tell you!

[@roadfert]

It’s the Area 51 of golf, period.

[@silvermediastudio]

WoWOWOoWOw they have restaurants and merchandise!? Rooms and houses for guests??? Who would ever imagine. So amazing, what an incredible video so much insight so brilliant how did you ever figure all this out woWOwowoow!!

[@kennethpetronis2464]

They have eagles to scare away the birds. It’s good for players and patrons

[@gasperstarina9837]

Where are green&fairways nurseries ? Must be quite an area of it...they literally hold pristine conditions all week long

[@the6ig6adwolf]

Look up the Masters on Wikipedia. The conditions remain "prestine" all week because they literally paint the course green, so it appears flawless on TV.

[@gendaminoru3195]

I've been turning down an invite for too many years now - prolly cuz I don't want to admit the game passed me by, never turning pro or going for it. Next year I'll go

[@Hillbillykaren]

No

[@hamiltonkeener9078]

Is it possible to get a press pass for the masters?

[@chrismatthews2430]

They only give out a certain number a year and it’s very limited

[@chosen1one930]

It's not a oasis. Augusta National Overseeds all of the bermuda each year turning the course a vibrant green when every other grass around turns dormant and goes brown.

[@stoshkaras9779]

All I wish is that I can get tickets once before I die. I’ve been trying forever and just hit 75 😢

[@briansims4365]

Wow, impressive. They must pipe in bird sounds on the tv feed. Usually Cardinal calls, but this year 2024 all i could hear was blue jay and mourning doves

[@Rtv8836]

You could hear cedar waxwings on the broadcast too.

[@kyleplusguitar]

Augusta National is not just a golf course. The entire place is centered around one week of golf a year. All the “elites” that made their way to the top of the food chain by screwing the rest of us; they go hack their way around TPC Sawgrass, Pinehurst, Pebble Beach, you name it, but their status means jack squat at Augusta National. Yes there are members at Augusta, but money doesn’t even buy your way into one of those memberships. To me, that’s what makes this place truly special. There’s only one way to earn a spot on those tee boxes, and that’s to be the best in the world.

[@sosa8999]

Nice video, thank you. But some of the figures cannot be correct. How can a practice area cost $140 million, if an average golf course costs $15m aprox??

[@heithheithinson2495]

That’s the average price of an average city golf course. This is the top of the line cream of the crop practice facility. Not just a couple practice greens and a range like your municipal course. They’re not afraid to spend money on doing something to the extreme.

[@AlonsoRules]

Augusta and Indianapolis are amongst the last remaining sporting institutions

[@ozzyjim]

I’d have sold the house but I get 10 x4 rounds a year for the rest of my life and 4 tickets the masters week every year. No one ever has to know😂

[@martybruce]

Also, Berkmans place was named after prospector Berkman who owned a peach orchard on the property that later became Augusta national golf club. He was not a doctor.

[@Rtv8836]

Louis Berckmans was a medical doctor. He started Fruitland Nursery with his son Prosper Berckmans.

[@kyleplusguitar]

Rae’s creek is named after Rae in Star Wars. Everyone knows that 😏

[@LucilleMilo]

you don't guard secrets jealously. you guard them zealously.

[@coophandluke3697]

The maintenance facility is NOT A SHED!!

[@cheemomugdoo799]

No mention of the Hooters where John Daly parks his RV to sell merch and take money off patrons who bet that he can't make putts on the artificial putting green in the parking lot?

[@kyleplusguitar]

The man has a side hustle. Can’t hate on that.

[@cheemomugdoo799]

@ no hate whatsoever. I went there and chatted for a bit and bought some merch. He is a legend.

[@lirmchip]

The talent to play in, forget win it's easy to see how you could get lost there it's not real, it really is an isolated place created, with it's own history, culture, custom money has no meaning

[@Crushfire24]

I second this comment. It’s unbelievable how made-up this event is … and mind blowing how we all revel at it. Even still, I love this golf tournament.

[@stewarttrickett3033]

The amount of money is staggering.

[@ElCheapo3]

Bermuda grass isn’t native to anywhere in the western hemisphere

[@ArthurvanH0udt]

Those 3 greens behind BP are not full size though!! If I am correct, they’re approx. 90% of the real ones.

[@slimpickens01]

Clifford Roberts was a man of his words. No black man will ever play at my club, over my dead body!! After that demons death the club invited black player's.

[@C-Weegs]

Do they mess with the birds?? Answer: almost definitely not 😂

[@ostreds]

$140,000,000 for grass, tee boxes and greens? Someone made a bundle on the bid.

[@Bugkillahz]

Bid? Everything is in-house.

[@全球高端外围资源-192]

谢谢博主得分享！男人需要放松，主页高端品茶资源，支持现金，支持见人再付！

[@AussiePeter]

How many me,bets does Augusta have?

[@Hillbillykaren]

13

[@billy1673]

It’s funny you mention the birds. They have speakers strategically placed throughout the grounds to play bird sounds all day long.

[@MC-nb6jx]

A tricked up golf course that dramatically limits availability 🤷🏻‍♂️ Farce!!! Give me those Championship courses Joe Public can book and play (though eve they’re getting rather expensive) and walk/play in the footsteps of past Champions.. Like Open Championship courses in the UK👌🏻

[@treywatford6647]

Its where they took jimmy hoffa

[@kepler240]

He's under the 12th green near the back bunker.

[@Hillbillykaren]

No

[@treywatford6647]

@@Hillbillykaren yes

[@blairsterling6141]

Pete Dye was quoted once that "trees didn't belong on golf courses." Then, I guess Augusta is one of the worst courses ever. !

[@THEPINKFLOYDIANS]

No weekly medal????

[@quantumpotential7639]

They should build a replica of Augusta National in every county in America. That way we can play too. And the winner of each county earns a trip to The Masters every year. This is how they should do it. Maybe Fred Ridley, Chairman of Augusta can run this idea up the flagpole.

[@dannymack2474]

born and raised in the Augusta area love golf highly dislike Augusta national

[@ScottDreyfus]

ACC is zoyzia not Bermuda.

[@tony.bickert3743]

So why no birds?

[@Hillbillykaren]

I've played Augusta many times. Extremely difficult course. Pretty yes but it's a tiger to play. See what I did there ?

[@philthydirtydog9203]

Imagine getting the most exclusive membership in the world and ur still not allowed to use the nicer driving range there🤣🤣🤣 they got clown rules

[@jimdellavecchia4594]

Augusta was great until 1990

[@dunweyweydum]

This is just euros trying to sound Impressive on Our Land

[@d.Cog420]

Where do the players stay?

[@Hillbillykaren]

Under your bed ?

[@Bugkillahz]

They rent local’s houses. The national is trying to build hotels for them though on the grounds.

[@ShouldveBeenaCowboy]

Small American city? Augusta is the second largest city in Georgia second to Atlanta.

[@c02615223]

Trump must have asked for membership

[@johnbuie966]

The members will never let him in but when he becomes dictator he can just seize the property for himself, declare him self the club champion and take all of the green jackets for himself.

[@bld9696]

He has never sought a membership. He has several friends who are members at Augusta who are also members at some of the courses he owns who can invite him to play, but he rarely goes.

[@williamhancock6489]

Don't be a Masters baiter.

[@frankxaoz1286]

140mil for a practice facility? BS!!!

[@wilfredodeleon5509]

Augusta is not hard. Ask Morikawa Scbeffler.

[@frfrfrf23ewd]

first

[@evandh1989]

Exactly what my dog says when he pees on a bush. God this “first” thing is so old and overdone…

[@shieldyourselfmusic8567]

Most overrated course in the world imo. Id much rather play kiawah island, sunningdale, pebbles beach, whistling straights.... The list is endless

[@Hillbillykaren]

No worries you're never getting an invite.

[@kepler240]

Let's face it. It's an average golf course other than the tradition and it being pretty.

[@structures5010]

it's definitely not "average" -- the masters has done a great job cultivating a particular image of the course and the tournament over the last 50+ years. The mystique of Augusta is what makes it truly remarkable. It's a gem of a tournament that every golfer wants to go there at least once in their life. It's the Mecca of golf tournaments, so it's unfair to say "if you take away the tradition..."

[@kepler240]

@@structures5010 I was only talking about the course...and it is average. We all know about the tradition.

[@columcunningham4458]

@@kepler240until you have walked it / trust me it not Average in any way shape or form / no phones is a marvelous addition to the experience. I hope you get the chance one day. Trust me

[@truthlifefishing1730]

I agree, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16 are the golf course the rest are just golf holes and then its hype.

[@Ballroot84]

Agreed...the course is v average. 11-12-13-15-16 are what makes the course. That's why there is so much 'mystery'...they choose to keep that as they know without it, the masters wouldn't be the same. It's also why it's never ranked in the top courses in the world