Augusta-area muni is a must-play — particularly through the Masters

For one week each April, Augusta, Ga., turns into the middle of the golf universe. That is, in fact, because of the Masters. It’s probably the most prestigious match in golf — and the rendezvous for nearly each stakeholder and fan within the sport.

With so many golf nuts descending upon the city of 200,000, scoring a tee time could be powerful. Augusta Nation Membership, which sits proper subsequent door to Augusta Nationwide, is a well-liked spot and its tee sheet stays jam-packed Sunday to Sunday. Augusta Municipal — a.ok.a. The Patch — has its personal appeal (which is able to solely develop with Augusta Nationwide’s future funding), however the situations of its fairways and greens is a far cry from what is perhaps thought-about main high quality. Palmetto Golf Membership (the house membership of Kevin Kisner) in close by Aiken, S.C., is one other in style choice, however with out the correct connections, you’ll be SOL. Thankfully, there’s one other nice choice for Masters week golf — and it’s open to the general public.

Enter Aiken Golf Membership. This Donal Ross-designed muni is a par-70 that measures out to only shy of 5,800 yards from the information. Better of all? It prices simply $35 to stroll throughout peak instances. However don’t be fooled by the pint-sized yardage (and price ticket!), this course packs a punch.

It’s the right course for schlepping your bag with its quick yardage and compact format, nevertheless it’s certainly not a stroll within the park. There’s some severe elevation change all through the property that’ll have you ever sucking wind on a few the holes. For that motive, it’s an important place to get out a Sunday bag and convey about six golf equipment.

I received my first publicity to Aiken Golf Membership throughout this yr’s Masters week. I used to be in Augusta the week prior for the Augusta Nationwide Girls’s Beginner, and on Drive, Chip and Putt Sunday I used to be nonetheless within the Augusta space. A buddy of mine from a unique publication had simply flown in and was seeking to play slightly twilight golf.

“Ever been to Aiken?” he requested

It didn’t take lengthy for me to conform to a late-afternoon tee time. And from the second I stepped on property, I used to be hooked.

Carolina pines body nearly each gap, and sandy dunes characteristic prominently within the routing. The course winds by means of the encompassing neighborhood, however the houses on the perimeter are removed from intrusive. In case you’re a fan of Pinehurst Resort, Aiken Golf Membership could have you smitten.

The greens are tiny and undulating, whereas the fairways have tons of tilt. In case you’e not snug hitting off uneven lies, this course will eat your lunch. Oh, and I hope you understand how to hit off sandy lies. In case you stray off line, you’re all however sure to be hitting out of a waste space.

Agency-and-fast fairways are on a regular basis situations at Aiken and grainy Bermuda greens make holing putts a tall activity. However on the finish of the day, there’s not rather more enjoyable you possibly can have on a golf course than spending a stroll among the many lengthy shadows at Aiken Golf Membership.

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Zephyr Melton

Golf.com Editor

Zephyr Melton is an assistant editor for GOLF.com the place he spends his days running a blog, producing and enhancing. Previous to becoming a member of the staff at GOLF, he attended the College of Texas adopted by stops with the Texas Golf Affiliation, Workforce USA, the Inexperienced Bay Packers and the PGA Tour. He assists on all issues instruction and covers newbie and girls’s golf. He could be reached at zephyr_melton@golf.com.