AmateurGolfNet

You may not be able to get a round at Augusta National in Georgia but you can play the 12th & 16th Augusta ‘Tribute’ holes at Northwick Park in Harrow, Middlesex.

The Majors course at Northwick Park was voted the UK’s top 9-hole course in 2009, it’s superb greens and accurately crafted replications of the key holes at Major Championship venues like Royal Troon, The Belfry, Royal Birkdale and of course Augusta make the layout a great challenge at a very affordable price.

The Augusta tribute holes

Hole 1: Riviera Golf & Country Club (tribute to the 6th hole)
What a start to this unique course, a par 3 with a bunker in the middle of a green whose contours allow you to putt around it.

Hole 2: Ganton Golf Club (tribute to the 4th & 14th holes)
The tee shot brings to mind the short 14th par 4 at Ganton where an iron for position is a much better choice than a driver for length, while the approach to the green takes inspiration from Ganton’s 4th hole where the pin is guarded by the right hand bunker.

Hole 3: Oak Hill Golf Club (tribute to the 6th hole)
Another Ryder Cup inspired hole this tough par 3 often plays into the wind, with a very distinctive bunker that protects a green which has tricky slopes to negotiate, get a birdie here and you can celebrate a Ryder Cup point.

Hole 4: The Belfry (tribute to the 9th hole on the Brabazon course)
This can be a tough hole when played into the wind, the approach to the green is a challenging one, any shots straying right will splash down into the lake and you could be left with a very fast putt on the three-tier green.

Hole 5: Royal Birkdale (tribute to the 12th hole)
Tom Watson once described the 12th at Royal Birkdale as one of the world’s great par 3′s and it is recreated here, aim just left of the hump and you should be fine, too far right and you will find the dreaded bank.

Hole 6: Royal Troon (tribute to the 8th hole)
The Postage Stamp is the shortest hole on the Open Championship rota but this does not make it the easiest, surrounded by small, steep-sided pot bunkers the only thing missing from this hole is the wind off the sea.

Hole 7: Augusta National (tribute to the 16th hole)
A double-green awaits you at the 7th, the right hand side is the tribute to Augusta’s 16th hole ‘Redbud’, miss the green and you may get a chance to recreate Tiger’s amazing chip.

Hole 8: Walton Heath (tribute to the 11th hole)
From nearing the end of your round at The Masters you have the chance to sink the winning putt at The Ryder Cup. This par 3 is heavily bunkered so an accurate shot is required to find the putting surface which has a step through the middle of a two tier green that can leave you with a nightmare putt.

Hole 9: Augusta Nationa (tribute to the 12th hole)
It’s back to The Masters for the last to play Augusta’s 12th hole ‘Golden Bell’. Facing the same challenge the Pro’s do, a shot over water to what looks like an extremely slim target with a front bunker that will swallow up anything short and twin back bunkers that leave you with a nightmare shot back towards the water!

The course looks great

Superb value for money

Plus you get a decent practice