The Masters

You Have To Be Here

Geoff Shackelford lists nine items about the Masters that are far cooler in person

April 2012
The last time I visited the Masters in 2003, George Bush was president, Hootie Johnson was chairman, Martha Burk was setting up shop outside the gates and Mike Weir went on to beat Len Mattiace in a playoff. The Lords kindly credentialed me this year and after several years of watching the Masters on HD television, it's fun to see what's changed and what remains of a tradition unlike any other. Without further ado, some of the things you see here that sitting at home never quite captures.
Augusta National Clubhouse and oak tree
1. The Clubhouse Area Intimacy
Since the club lengthened the first hole into a 1,785-yard par-4, the extended tee has meant that it moved closer to a relocated putting green, and to my shock, the 10th tee. Television doesn't do justice to the close proximity of these two vital tees and now I better understand why you sometimes see players on the 10th waiting to pull the trigger until a group has left the first. For spectating purposes, the intimacy is fantastic. Traffic flow? Not so hot.
Dom Furore
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