Masters 2015 Monday Practice Round

Here’s an overview of the visit to the Monday 2015 practice round that my father and I attended. 

As you walk onto the grounds, the beauty of the place is immediately apparent. It is, as you might guess, immaculately manicured and the grass is about as perfect and green as you could possibly imagine.

The driving range and practice chipping area are to the left.  As we walked up we saw Bernhard Langer and Keegan Bradley chipping to the practice greens. Langer was flipping these 20-30 yard chips over a high bunker to a far pin and every one he hit was within a few feet. It was pretty impressive.

Bernhard Langer chipping at the practice area of the Masters.

After passing the practice area, you walk through an area with concessions and a gift shop. The lines were very long so we didn’t stop, but as we found out later the lines move very quickly and efficiently. I had to take a photo of the menu as the prices are very low for a sporting event.

I had a couple of the Masters Club sandwiches (Ham and turkey with cheese) and a chicken wrap. All were pretty good.

As you walk onto the course, the giant Masters scoreboard is on the right. Lots of people were getting their picture taken in front of it. On Monday, it was set up for the Wednesday Par 3 contest.

Masters Scoreboard

This is a view of the 1st hole from the patron’s cross walk. You can see Adam Scott and his caddie walking up the fairway in the distance. It gives you a real sense of just how much of a hill they have to walk up. The tee is also elevated, so the drive isn’t really uphill too much.

Adam Scott walking up the 1st fairway.

Adam Scott in the fairway bunker on Hole #1. You can see just how deep it is. Scott had to just chip out onto the fairway.

The Green at the 8th which is to the left of the first hole. It was early in the morning at this point and no golfers had gotten around to this hole yet.

8th green at Augusta National

Adam Scott on the tee at #2. He was playing by himself during this practice round. You can see how close the patrons are to the golfers on this tee. Scott initially hit a 3 wood and after thinking about it for a few seconds decided to hit another ball with a driver. This drew a hearty cheer from the patrons.

2nd tee – Adam Scott

This is a view you don’t get on TV. Left of the 2nd hole is a beautiful walkway. That is Adam Scott in the fairway.

Here’s a view of the 13th Hole. That’s Camillio Villejas in the blue shirt. I’m not sure who the golfer in the pink shirt is. The view is absolutely gorgeous.

If you look close at the photo below, you’ll see a small pink flag. I believe this is marking the spot from which Mickelson hit that great shot in 2010 when he won the Masters. In the background is Jason Day waiting for the green to clear so he can play. He than hit his second shot to about 10 feet.

Jason Day in the background waiting to hit a shot to the 13th.

The area behind the 12th tee and 11th green is just a great spot to watch some golf. We watched a few groups come through from this area. The highlight was Miguel Angel Jimenez who was playing with a cigar in his mouth and really interacted a lot with the crowd. He pulled out a camera and took pics of the gallery, took a few photos with fans in the front row, and had a fan take a photo of him and his caddy. The crowd loved it and went nuts when he knocked his tee shot on the green to about 10 feet.

11th and 12th greens at Augusta National

A slimmed down Jason Dufner hitting chips from the area on the 11th near where Larry Mize chipped in to win the Masters in 1987. In the background on the 12th is a group with Miguel Angel Jimenez and Jose Maria Olazabal.

Jason Dufner chipping at the 11th hole.

Grame McDowell hitting a shot from the 10th green. He plunked two in the water and dropped and hit about 5 or 6 balls from this spot. He was playing by himself.

Graeme McDowell

Another great viewing spot. The hill across the pond from the 16th green. If you are in the right spot you can also see the 15th green from here. You can also walk about 30 yards or so and watch tee shots of the par 3 6th.

16th green