As golf technology advances rapidly, it’s becoming harder and harder to give the world’s best players a real challenge.
Historic, iconic venues struggle to stand the test of time, and their answer to the ever-increasing distances players can generate is to move the tee boxes back. But according to Justin Thomas, that really isn’t necessary to create a great hole.
Augusta National has seen a series of changes to keep up with modern golf, but surprisingly, one hole that has barely changed is the third, a short par four. Measuring at just 350 yards, “Flowering Peach” can still give players a real challenge.
It’s seen minor modifications in years past, but the fundamental values of the hole remain intact. Players can drive the green with tremendous risk, flirt with the bunkers to the left of the fairway to give themselves 100 yards in, or lay up with an iron but face a treacherous approach shot.
The strategy and shot-making required on this hole made Justin Thomas call it the best short par four in the world.
Justin Thomas calls hole three at Augusta National the best short par four in the world
Thomas took to X to declare his love for this hole. He replied to a video from Fried Egg Golf breaking down the hole, posting: “The more I play it, the more I think it might be the best short par 4 in golf.
“Right in front of you, nothing hidden, zero trouble in play… we’re thinking birdie probably every time we step on the tee… and can be grinding for par so quickly. Incredible design.”
This hole demonstrates to golf courses everywhere that distance isn’t the only way to keep players honest off the tee. The 10th hole at Riviera does the same, but when that was put to Thomas by former PGA Tour pro Robert Damron, he still gave Augusta the edge.
Thomas replied: “I think so. 10 at riv you completely know what you’re getting after your tee shot. 3 at Augusta you can make 5 so quickly with a great tee shot. A lot of it has to do with how the ball sits at Augusta as well. Not getting the same lie each time adds to it imo.”
The third hole bared it’s teeth last year during Rory McIlroy’s Masters win. It produced one of the tournament’s turning points.
What Bryson DeChambeau did on the third hole of The Masters that Rory McIlroy ‘could not believe’
According to McIlroy, his duel with DeChambeau on the final day of The Masters last year was decided on the third hole. There was plenty of golf played after that, but with DeChambeau having just taken the lead on the second, his strategy on the third shocked McIlroy.
Speaking to Fried Egg Golf in December, he said, “It’s interesting because I could not believe that Bryson laid up. I couldn’t believe it.
“I didn’t realise, but I know now that is what he has been doing all week, especially to left pins, but I thought with how firm the greens were, it was hard to get a wedge shot close anyway, and I thought he had a chance to drive it on the green. I did not think I could quite get there, but I thought he had a chance.
“He had just got one ahead, I felt like even though it was early in the round, if he were to take driver out there and hit it on the green, it really is like taking the tournament by the scruff of the neck.
“I was just so surprised he hit iron. He then three-putts, and I end up making a three. I just thought that was such a huge moment. Then I hit that good shot into four and made the putt.
“If I didn’t have those two holes after such a rough start, I probably don’t go on to win.”
It’s a largely unassuming hole, but it’s not one that players can overlook in the slightest.
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