GAINESVILLE, GAINESVILLE, GAINESVILLE, GAINESVILLE, GA There is “no schedule” for any potential lengthening of Augusta National’s 13th hole, which would restore some of the iconic par 5’s risk-reward components, according to Masters chairman Fred Ridley.
“That’s something we’ve thought about and will continue to think about,” Ridley said at his annual news conference ahead of the Masters.
Given how much history, both sorrow and victory, has transpired on the 13th hole over the years, Ridley said he is hesitant to make any significant modifications. Nonetheless, he understood that the famous par 5 was not designed for golfers to hit mid- or short irons into the green.
“It’s something we’re likely to do at some point,” he added of adding yardage. “Right now, we don’t have anything to say about it.”
The USGA and R&A are now working on a multi-year Distance Insights Report that may help to reduce distance at the elite level.
Ridley was asked at his press conference which would come first: the regulatory bodies cracking down on distance or the club adding a new tee to the 13th hole. He stated that the club runs on its own schedule and will make any required alterations regardless of the distance report’s recommendations.
“We really can’t predict what’s going to happen,” he said, “but I don’t think we’ll see courses being shortened if there are some minor changes to the equipment rules.” “From what I’ve seen over the last few years with the players and their athleticism, strength, size, and efficiency of their golf swings, I don’t think we’ll see courses being shortened.”
“So the two causes may converge,” he says, “but I don’t think what the governing bodies do will have a direct impact on what we do at 13 or any other hole on the golf course.”
