Augusta National Golf Course - Hole 4

Hole 4 at Augusta National Golf Club, aptly named "Flowering Crab Apple," is a formidable par-3 that has earned a reputation as one of the most challenging holes on the course. As the Masters tournament 2025 approaches, this 240-yard behemoth continues to demand respect from even the world's best golfers.

The hole gets its name from Flowering Crab Apple trees on the right of the fairway coming up to the green. These trees, native to eastern Asia, typically bloom late March to early April, which coincides with the Masters Golf Tournament, adding a splash of pink-to-red to the grounds. The fragrance-laden flowers add a beautiful contrast to the daunting difficulty that the players will face.

Originally 190 yards in length when it first opened, Hole 4 has been extended over time to its current length of 240 yards. That significant extension has made it one of the most challenging holes on the course. The tee shot is from a raised position with the green well below, creating a challenge that fills golfers' hearts with fear.

Perhaps the most unique feature of Hole 4 is the green. The green is highly undulated, sloping from back to front and from right to left. This steep slope adds another degree of challenge to an already challenging hole. The green's design often asks players to play to the centre or the left side since going right can lead to a difficult recovery and an almost certain bogey.

The green is guarded by a total of four bunkers. Two gigantic bunkers tower over the front of the green, one left and one right. The bunkers up front make front pin positions on the green particularly treacherous. Two additional bunkers are positioned in the rear of the green, giving that extra bit of challenge for the players who hang around too long.

Hole 4 has seen its share of Masters drama throughout the years. In the 2020 Masters, Jon Rahm made a hole-in-one here for the fourth time in his career, although he didn't know it until he arrived on the green due to the lack of gallery presence. It has also generated some of the high numbers, with Henrik Stenson registering an 8 in 2011.

The test of the hole can be seen in current tournament trends. In 2023, it was the third hardest hole at Augusta National. Those individuals who are able to get four pars on this hole during the tournament should be in with a chance to place well.

Club selection on Hole 4 is important and can be influenced by the player's power. The majority of players will need to play with a long iron or a fairway wood to the green. The hole benefits players who possess more speed in their swing because they can use a shorter club to achieve the desired height and distance.

An interesting piece of history about Hole 4 is that it was originally known as the "Palm Hole" due to the lone palm tree on the entire course, sitting to the right of the fairway. This distinctive feature adds to the personality of the hole and serves as a reminder of the ever-evolving face of Augusta National.

As the Masters approaches, Hole 4 is ready to challenge the world's best golfers yet again. With its distance, clever bunkering, and treacherous green layout, it will again be a dominant influence on deciding the tournament winner. Those golfers who are able to overcome this demanding par-3 successfully will clearly have an advantage in their quest for the much-sought-after green jacket.