Augusta National Golf Course - Hole 2

Augusta National Golf Club Hole 2, "Pink Dogwood," is a challenging par 5 that has undergone many changes over the years to keep it within the parameters of modern golf clubs. As the first par 5 on the course, it's an early scoring opportunity but one that can also go terribly wrong.

Course Details

Pink Dogwood measures 585 yards and is the course's longest hole. The hole is a left dogleg and slopes downhill, providing longer hitters with chances to get to the green in two shots. Its fairway is bordered by its namesake trees, pink dogwoods, which flower normally during the Masters Tournament, creating a beautiful backdrop.

Bunkers and Hazards

The hole is protected by a group of four bunkers, well situated to challenge players on their approach into the green:

Two fairway bunkers down the left side of the landing area

Two large greenside bunkers spanning the front of the green

The green was originally guarded by a single bunker on the right. A left bunker was added in 1946 and shortened in 1966 the right bunker. These side bunkers to the green are are a serious consideration when it come to the players' strategy of the hole because they catch short or slightly off-line shots.

Strategic Considerations

The tee shot at Pink Dogwood is significant. Not only do the players need to steer clear of the fairway bunkers, but also set up for the best angle to attack the green. Most professionals tee to the right of the fairway and let the downhill slope give them extra yards.

On the second shot, the players have a choice: attempt to reach the green in two or play short of the greenside sand traps. The small entrance into the green, well guarded by the two large bunkers, makes the approach shot challenging, especially in attempting to reach the green in two. The green slopes down from left to right steeply, offering another challenge in approach shots and putting.

Recent Changes

Augusta National is well known for changing its layout every year, and Pink Dogwood is no exception. In anticipation of the 2024 Masters, the tee box was moved back 10 yards and to the left, taking the overall length of the hole to 585 yards. The move is meant to make the fairway bunkers more relevant to the modern bombers, requiring a drive of approximately 313 yards to avoid them.

Scoring History

As long as it has been around, Pink Dogwood has been one of the less challenging holes at Augusta National Golf Course. The Masters Tournament history all-time scoring average of the hole is 4.78, the 16th most challenging (or third least challenging) hole at the course. In 2023, the hole gave 121 pars, 121 birdies, 23 bogeys, and 6 double bogey or worse.

The hole has its own moments in history. Louis Oosthuizen made the first and so far only albatross (double eagle) on this hole in Masters history in 2012, playing a four-iron from 253 yards.

Conclusion

Pink Dogwood provides an early birdie opportunity to Masters players but is not to be taken lightly. With its new length, bunkering, and sloping green, the hole demands power as much as precision. As golfers play this beautiful par 5, they will be compelled to balance the temptation of reaching the green in two shots with the risks of the carefully placed hazards. The Pink Dogwood will continue to be an integral component of the construction of the leaderboard at subsequent Masters Tournaments.