This year we saw the red-hot Scottie Scheffler pull off the victory for his second Green Jacket and his second major overall at Augusta National. But even before taking in all of the majesty of the big golf course that features some of the most iconic holes in the sport, there’s one smaller course that takes the shine for a day: the Augusta Par-3 Course.
With my home course in real life being a par-3 track, I always love talking about these small wonders and AN’s course is always pure bliss to watch the pros and legends play on. It’s a course that has so much of the same beauty and fun design as the big course, and it’s a blast to play in EA Sports PGA Tour.
All nine of these holes are fun to play and provide their own variations of challenge. But, as with the big course, it’s hard to pick which ones are the best. You can’t go wrong with any one of them, but these three stand out the most and feel the most memorable.
Sixth Hole
Half of the Par-3 Course’s holes are surrounded by water and that includes the breathtaking sixth. This features a ton of water on the right side while you also have to be wary of the two bunkers guarding the front and back side of the green.
You can choose to go directly at the flag but be aware of the possibility that your ball may roll off into the water, considering the flag’s proximity to the drink. Playing it safe, you can aim for the left side of the green that has much more space, but you may end up with a lengthy putt unless you work some shot-making magic, Whatever you do, you have a couple of fun options here.
Eighth Hole
This next hole has got a slightly cozier vibe as it’s tucked under the shade of the trees at Augusta. This hole is probably trickier than the last. Yes, you only have one bunker to deal with, but you have a smaller, tighter green to work with too. And then, oh yeah, once again, you have to avoid the water.
It is shorter in length so it might feel a bit easier from that standpoint. I guess you can say it’s a sacrifice of sorts. “Okay, we’ll make this hole shorter, but we’ll make the green smaller” type of deal. It’s one of the holes that’ll definitely put your accuracy and touch more to the test.
Ninth Hole
Personally, the finishing hole at the Augusta National Par-3 course might be one of my favorite par-3s in the sport of golf. First off, it’s very beautiful as you tee off from an elevated tee box, looking down onto the green, and then it’s nothing but water between you and the green.
That element alone makes it fun and a dramatic way to close out this great par-3 track. And while the water has most of the attention, even more so than the sixth and eighth holes, there’s a bunker behind the green just waiting to grab your golf ball like an outfielder in baseball robbing a home run. And the length has a great balance too at 135. Just know that you might need to club down due to the elevated tee positioning but don’t club down too much or you’ll end up in the drink. One club should do it, if it’s necessary, anyway.
