Hole by Hole description of Augusta National

Augusta National Golf Club, home of the Masters, has undergone some of the most significant changes in its 65 years for this year'shampionship -- including added length and longer rough.

The par-72 course -- which has been stretched by 60 yards (15 merely due to more accurate measuring) to 6,985 yards -- has been hosting the Masters since 1934 and is the only permanent venue for any of golf's four major championships.

Here is a hole-by-hole look at the course, where the rough has been more than doubled in length -- but just to a modest 1-5/8 inch (hole rankings based on scoring averages since 1942; names in parentheses are derived from distinctive flora found on each hole).

No. 1 (Tea Olive), par 4, 410 yards - This dogleg right opening hole, which has been remeasured 10 yards longer, was the most difficult hole last year, mainly due to wind. From an elevated tee the player hits across a wide valley to an even higher fairway (the highest on the course) with a very deep bunker on the right. Even short approach shots are difficult to hold on the crested green, where even putts have been known to roll off.

No. 2 (Pink Dogwood), par 5, 575 yards - A new tee has added at least 20 yards to this downhill par-5, which ranks second easiest in average scoring. A bunker on the right side of the fairway has also been moved to present a more formidable hazard to driving. The green is shallow but very wide, offering a variety of pin placements -- and some very long putts. Nick Faldo's 100-footer there is a Masters record.

No. 3 (Flowering Peach), par 4, 350 yards - Augusta's shortest par-4 -- it lost 10 yards in remeasuring -- can be treacherous. Four fairway bunkers on the uphill hole induce most players to drive with an iron. The triangular green is distinctly elevated and slopes from the right, its deepest part, to the left, its shallowest point.

No. 4 (Flowering Crab Apple), par 3, 205 yards - The longest par 3 at Augusta, which ranks as the third toughest hole, features a big green that slopes severely downward from a wide back to a narrow front pinched by two deep bunkers. Players are happy with par here.

No. 5 (Magnolia), par 4, 435 yards - A long drive is needed to set up a reasonable approach to the turtle-backed green, which sits behind a series of mounds. Many players call it the hardest hole on the front nine, and some say it may be the most difficult of all. It ranks fourth toughest.

No. 6 (Juniper), par 3, 180 yards - From one of the highest spots on the course players literally hit over spectators on the hillside below to a dangerous, multi-leveled green that slopes severely from back to front.

No. 7 (Pampas), par 4, 365 yards - Augusta's second shortest par-4 -- with five yards added by remeasuring -- looks easy, but it offers one of the most challenging second shots in golf. The small, highly elevated green is encircled by five deep bunkers and is effectively divided in half by a ridge running from back to front.

No. 8 (Yellow Jasmine), par 5, 550 yards - This par-5 hole - - remeasured 15 yards longer -- is uphill almost all the way, and often into the wind, making it play a lot longer. The narrow green, protected by enormous mounds at the left front, is one of the toughest. However, it is still a good birdie opportunity.

No. 9 (Carolina Cherry), par 4, 430 yards - Any drive leaves a downhill lie for the approach to a highly elevated, three-level green. If the hole is cut toward the front, a player's approach can easily spin back onto the sloping fairway -- and roll well away from the green. Remeasuring cut five yards off the length here.

No. 10 (Camellia), par 4, 485 yards - The drive is key on this very long, downhill par 4, which ranks as the hardest hole (it's the same length as the par-5 13th). The gigantic green, often made difficult to read by shadows, has produced a surprising number of four-putts over the years.

No. 11 (White Dogwood), par 4, 455 yards - The last three Masters playoffs were decided at this long par 4 -- the first of three holes comprising Augusta's famous "Amen Corner." To prevent flood damage the green has been raised two feet and the level of pond in front raised one foot. Also, two small bunkers have been removed and a large one placed right centre.

No. 12 (Golden Bell), par 3, 155 yards - One of the most famous holes in golf, this short par 3, protected by Rea's Creek in front, has broken the hearts of many would-be champions. The green is extremely shallow and a gigantic stand of pine trees behind it makes the wind -- and therefore club selection -- very difficult to judge. It ranks as the second hardest hole.

No. 13 (Azalea), par 5, 485 yards - This famed par 5 -- lined with 1,600 colourful Azalea bushes -- is a classic "risk and reward" hole. It is short enough to reach in two well-played shots, but a deep creek in front of the green awaits weak efforts and three putts cannot be ruled out on the enormous green.

No. 14 (Chinese Fir), par 4, 405 yards - This short hole does not have even one hazard, but it can be deadly. The odd-shaped green is so undulating that it is very difficult to put an approach in the right position and easy to three-putt, even from short distances.

No. 15 (Fire Thorn), par 5, 500 yards - This is another "decision" hole. Ever since Gene Sarazen made his famous double eagle two here in 1935, it has been one of the most dramatic holes at Augusta -- and the easiest. However, fairway mounds that once helped propel drives forward have been flattened and 20 pines trees have been planted along the right fairway to catch errant drives. A mound to the right of the water-protected green has been removed and six trees have been planted there, removing a potential "bail-out" area.

No. 16 (Redbud) par 3, 170 yards - One of the most popular spectator holes, this par 3 has a big, sloping green guarded by a pond front left and three deep bunkers to the right and rear. The severe contour of the green can create some huge breaks in putts.

No. 17 (Nandina), par 4, 425 yards - The tee here has been moved back 25 yards and the 20 pine trees added to the 15th also guard the right side of this fairway. That should bring back into play the famous "Ike's Pine" (named after President Dwight D. Eisenhower, an Augusta member) that hangs over the left side of the fairway. However, the real trouble is the multi-tiered green, which demands a precise approach to avoid three-putting.