Some questions are so good they’re worth repeating. Such is the latest one in the Golfweek Masters Survey: What is the scariest putt at Augusta National?
Steve DiMeglio ran the survey for years and I’ve borrowed this question from the archives because the answers were so intriguing and all these years later it still didn’t disappoint. The fun part about this question was how many players responded before I heard the same hole twice. That’s what is so fascinating about the greens at Augusta National; you could ask 18 players and practically hear every hole be named and they’d be able to make a legitimate case. The short answer to this question is any downhill putt but check out which putt scares pros the most.
Billy Horschel
Billy Horschel hands a club to caddie Mark Fulcher on the second green during the first round of the 2023 Masters. (Photo: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Network)
The front-left pin on No. 1. If you get above that hole, it’s very fast and there’s a good chance it can roll 20-25 yards off the green.
Jason Day
Jason Day plays his shot from the 15th tee during the completion of the first round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Network)
Let me run through them. Three when it’s left and the greens are fast and you’re top right, you’re just breathing on it. Nine potentially when the pin is front left and you’re in the back but if you have good touch you can do it well. Fifteen is sneaky when the pin is front left and you’re downhill. Those are the ones for me.
Gary Player
Gary Player hits his tee shot in the honorary starters ceremony during the first round of the Masters Tournament. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
If the flag is on the front left at No. 6 and you push your ball to the top plateau, you might think you have three chances. But in reality, you have absolutely none.
Kevin Kisner
Kevin Kisner waits for Adrian Meronk to putt on no. 15 during the first round of The Masters golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Katie Goodale-USA TODAY Network
Putting to the front pin at 7 is pretty brutal. You can putt it right into the bunker.
Keegan Bradley
Keegan Bradley plays his shot from the ninth tee during the first round of the Masters Tournament. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Network
Nine because if you hit it too hard to the front flag it will go off the green and run 50 yards.
Matt Kuchar
Matt Kuchar chips onto the second green during the first round of the 2021 Masters. (Photo: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports)
The front-left pin on one perched on the shelf. That one scares me from everywhere.
Matt Fitzpatrick
Matthew Fitzpatrick looks on in the practice area prior to the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Six from the top tier.
Kevin Streelman
Kevin Streelman waves to the crowd after putting on the second green during the second round of the 2016 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports)
Nine. Going from the third level to second level or second level to first. It’s terrifying.
Lucas Glover
Lucas Glover plays his shot from the fourth tee during the first round of the Masters Tournament. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Probably from the middle of the 10th to the back of 10 because it looks uphill.
Stewart Cink
Stewart Cink and caddie Reagan Cink at the second hole during the second round of the 2022 Masters. (Photo: Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
The first hole when the pin is front left and your ball is inevitably behind it because you can’t be short. You don’t know what you’re about to walk into for the speed of the green and you’ve got that.
Rickie Fowler
Rickie Fowler walks off the fourth tee box during the first round of the Masters Tournament. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
No. 14 is really three greens. If you’re on the wrong portion, it’s tough to make par. Above the hole on one to the back-right pin is not the one to start your day. If they put the pin up close to bottom right and if you’re on the tier to the left you can’t stop it.
Tony Finau
Tony Finau is interviewed as he walks down the No. 2 fairway during a practice round ahead of the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Network)
The front-right pin on 15 from anywhere behind it.
Steve Stricker
Steve Stricker on the second hole during the second round of the 2017 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Top right of 16. There have been a couple of years where they put it on the edge and if you didn’t have the speed right, forget about it.
Will Zalatoris
Will Zalatoris hits out of a bunker on no. 16 during a practice round for the Masters Tournament golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Network
Front right on 16 to the left pin. It’s impossible.
Justin Thomas
Justin Thomas hits out of a bunker on No. 2 during a practice round for the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports)
From above the hole to the Sunday pin on 16 is flat out impossible.
Viktor Hovland:
Viktor Hovland hits balls at the practice facility during a practice round for the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Katie Goodale-USA TODAY Network)
Sixteen if you miss it on the wrong plateau.
Gary Woodland
Gary Woodland hits out of a bunker on no. 2 during a practice round for the Masters Tournament golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-USA TODAY Sports
Seventeen from the top gets fast to that front-right pin. It’s going off the green if you do more than blow on it and miss it. But could be 13, the front pin, we’ve seen Tiger putt it in the water there. It’s pretty dicey.
Nick Price
Nick Price plays out of the rough on the first hole during the second round of the 2004 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Any of the downhill ones you feel like you can putt into the water. The back of 15 to the bottom left pin. Putting down that slope, that one is terrifying, especially if it is gusty. Six, top right, if you hit it back right, you’ll leave it short every time.
Harris English
Harris English chips on the 18th hole during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Network
Fifteen from the back of the green to the front pin. I’ve never hit it in the water but I’ve thought about it.
