Change is part of tradition at Augusta National. So, keeping in line, the storied stage course will go through some tweaks this year as well. Only this time, it comes in one of the least-changed holes in Masters history, the par-5 2nd. The newly released media guide caught everyone’s attention as the course is now lengthened by a few yards further.

Notably, Augusta National has changed significantly in the last few years. In fact, since 2009, the course has been lengthened by 120 yards. The new change is further proof that one of the most hallowed venues in golf is not afraid to adapt.

Augusta moves back the tee box once more

The par-5 second hole will now be the longest hole in Augusta at 585 yards. The 10-yard extension also means that the Masters venue will now be 7,555 yards. The second hole, as many have pointed out, has remained unchanged for a better part of the course’s long history.

Interestingly, during the first Masters, it was the 11th hole. Pink Dogwood, as the par-5 hole 2 is popularly known, has gone through changes only six times before. In fact, it has remained unchanged for over a decade. The most notable change came in 1999, for two reasons. Firstly, it was requested by Ben Hogan way back in 1978. Secondly, the change was made by Tom Fazio.

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Hogan asked to remove the fairway bunker, which was itself a result of a 1968 redesign. Although, not granted at that time, 21 years later, Fazio relocated it a little to the right, giving quite a few yards on the left as a passage. That was one of the few major changes in the historical course.

The most significant changes in Augusta National 

Augusta National frequently redesigns the course—minor or major—to test the golfers. Only last year, the authorities decided to add a new tee box on the 13th hole, raising the tee by around eight yards and lengthening it by 35 yards. Also, in 2022, the par-5 15th was lengthened by 20 yards.

Most notably, in 2002, Augusta National lengthened nine holes as a response to club advancements. Furthermore, under the chairman, Hootie Johnson, many bunkers were altered to make them tougher. Also known as ‘Tiger Proofing’, the changes were apparently made to level the playing field after Tiger Woods tore through one of the toughest and most revered courses in golf history.

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The new changes come on the heels of the fact that the world is already divided on the golf ball rollback policy. Fred Ridley, the Augusta chairman, assured his support for USGA and R&A, the two regulatory authorities that brought the proposals first.

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