What makes The Masters more than just a golf tournament!?  Is it that Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus are the youngest first time and two-time champions respectively!?  Is it that Jack Nicklaus has won 6 green jackets!?  Is it because in 1935 Gene Sarazen’s double eagle on 15^th hole coined “the shot heard ‘round the world”!? There are only four wire-to-wire champions. Is it that the oldest Masters champion is golf’s great Jack Nicklaus at age 46?  Phil Mickelson’s shot from behind a tree on the 13^th hole to 5 feet from the pin. Regardless of the event, it is easy to see why this tournament captures the eye of the golfing world, as millions of viewers will be glued to the TV waiting for history to unfold!

The Masters is just around the corner. The excitement is building and most golfing fanatics are slowly counting the seconds tick away. This is a yearly tradition for most players as the first Major of the year marks the start of the golf season, especially those of us in the northern climes!

Augusta National Golf Club is steep in history and in my opinion is a notch above most courses. Each hole has its own name and offers its own set of challenges. The manicured fairways, challenging hazards and lightning greens force a player, at least for four rounds, to be a complete player. Having 17 multiple green jacket winners, these players demonstrated that their game is a cut above the rest, at least for the first Major of the year.

Recently, I asked a question about the skills of the young guns in golf and what skill would you choose if given a choice. Here is what the masses said:

As you can see, there was a bit of a mix, however, putting was the overall winner with just about 40% of the vote. I was a bit surprised that Jordan Spieth’s chipping was not higher on the list, but I maybe if I replace him with Phil Mickelson, the results would have been different.

Regardless of what everyone chose, I believe that the short game (chipping and putting) will decide the next Master’s champion. Augusta National is such a tough track, and Bubba Watson did destroy it in his last win with crazy length, however, it was the past champions’ short game that was the deciding factor.

There are only nine days left until the tee off at The Masters, any thoughts? Any predictions?

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!