Mike's Blog - Masters Preview

This year will mark my 10th trip to the Masters and I'm just as excited as I was when I got my first invite.  There is something about this event that just gets the juices flowing and the hair on the back of my neck to stand up.

I think part of it is the timing - it's the first major of the year and it comes at a time when the golf season was just starting back when I was growing up in Bright's Grove.  I remember watching this event on TV and then racing out to hit the first balls of the season.

Of course, the fact that I've won this before also adds to the special feeling. It's great to come back and be able to see your picture on the wall in the clubhouse and go into the Champions' Locker Room and to have so many great, positive memories.

I didn't go to Augusta early this year. I've done that most of the time in past years but recently, I've felt that the course was so different when it wasn't tournament week, that I didn't learn that much. It's actually remarkable how different the course is when it's not being prepped for the Masters. I think most people would be surprised. Of course it would be hard for the members to play on the conditions we face and hard for the staff to keep the course in that kind of shape all season long.

As well, this year, from what I've been told, there are only a few minor tweaks - most years there are some pretty significant changes but not this year. From what I've been told, there are new tees at one and seven, and some new pin positions on seven and five.

The biggest change will be the tee on one that has been moved up 10 yards. That may not seem like much but it could be quite significant. Right now, my drives tend to hit into the face of the hill and basically just stay there. But an extra 10 yards could mean that when the ball lands, it will be near the top of the hill meaning it could jump forward and extra 10 or 20 yards. At the extreme, it could mean the difference between hitting a three- or four-iron into that green or a seven or eight if you get the right bounces.

I've also heard through the grapevine that this year, they might move the tees forward on a few holes on the back nine which would be great. I've said that the last few years, the Masters has felt more like the U.S. Open. There certainly haven't been any 31s on the back nine on Sunday like Jack shot back in 1986 when he won. The sad part is you don't hear the roars or feel the excitement. You have to just grind.

The course changes have really made for defensive play. For instance,  last year I went for 13 just once and laid up every time on 15.  There's just no way I'd even think of going for 15 any more - trying to hit a three-iron or wood into that hole likely means ending up in the pond on 16.

I just wish that we could get some of that excitement back into the course - I think the fans and the golfers would love it.

As for my game, I'm going to Augusta feeling really good, as good as I have in some time. I've been working exceptionally hard on my wedge game this year. Even though I haven't been getting a lot out of it yet, I think it's more to do with the windy Florida conditions I've been playing in than anything else. I feel like the rest of my game is good, from putting to driving.

To do well at Augusta, of course, I'll need all of it. But the biggest thing I will need is patience. There's probably no other golf tournament in the world that requires as much patience as the Masters. In fact, you can overcome deficiencies in other parts of your game if you remain patient and so I've been working hard on that.  Trying to realize there are 72 holes and each one is important will be the key.

Overall, I'm looking forward to a great week. The Masters is such a wonderful tournament and Augusta National such a special place.

As always, thanks for your support

Mike