Rory McIlroy won The Masters for a second consecutive time this year after beating Scottie Scheffler by a single stroke at Augusta National.
The golf course at Augusta National was playing firm and fast for the most part at The Masters this year.
The best players in the world make playing Augusta seem far too easy at times.
However, the difficulty of the Augusta National layout cannot be underestimated.
Five handicapper, Erik Ander Lang, managed to shoot an 83 at Augusta National from the members’ tees the day after The Masters finished.
That’s pretty good going. But what would a 13-handicap amateur shoot if they were given the chance to play the famous golf course?
Charley Hoffman predicts what a 13-handicap would shoot at Augusta National
Augusta National is widely regarded as one of the most challenging golf courses to play for amateurs.
Hoffman, who has played in six Masters, was speaking about the difficulty of Augusta National during an appearance on the We Need a Fourth Podcast.
“You would shoot a lot,“ Hoffman said.
“Some weeks it’s soft and you guys would be able to play, but, like, it was proper golf this year. Firm, fast, and hard to hold shots.
“You had to hit quality iron shots with the right amount of spin to keep them on the greens.
“Uh, what are you shooting as a 13 handicap from the members’ tees?
“Okay, I will give you the benefit of doubt. High 80s, low 90s.“
Would a single-digit handicapper win The Masters starting on the greens?
So, if a single-digit handicapper played in The Masters but started each hole on the green from the furthest point away from the flag, would they win the tournament?
They could four-putt 14 holes, three-putt four holes and shoot 68 every day.
Hoffman gave his take when asked that exact question on the We Need a Fourth Podcast.
“I think the better scenario would be put you in the hardest position on the green, not always the furthest,“ Hoffman said.
“But the way that Augusta does it, is they usually have about six hard pins, six funnel pins, and six medium pins.
“So, yeah, there’s a hole that you could maybe six-putt, but there are ones that are in a funnel.
“Seven, for example. You can be anywhere on that green and pretty much lag it to a foot, no matter where you are.
“But there are ones, we’ll say the previous hole, that you could be up there all day long if you get too aggressive with it, or don’t hit it hard enough up that hill.
“I would say, the question was, if you got put on the green, and you played 72 holes at Augusta, would you win it?
“100% you would.
“It’s not a question that you would win the Masters if you got put on the green in my opinion, if you’re a single-digit.“