Fresh Drone Images Show Progress Of Augusta National Clean-Up Operation Following Hurricane Helene
Per photos via Eureka Earth on X, several holes at Augusta National appear very different to normal after damage to the course caused by Hurricane Helene


Fresh drone images courtesy of Eureka Earth appear to show the latest progress of Augusta National Golf Club's clean-up operation following damage caused by Hurricane Helene earlier this year.
The extreme weather front struck Florida's 'Big Bend' region during late September and has reportedly contributed to at least 228 deaths since, also damaging thousands of homes and wreaking havoc on vast areas of the natural landscape.
Winds of up to 70mph and excessive amounts of rain caused more than 200,000 residents to lose power, while it created significant problems for the home of The Masters as well.
Pictures posted to social media in the immediate aftermath exhibited dozens of fallen trees down Washington Road and Magnolia Lane plus an overflowing Rae's Creek, which flows right through the heart of Amen Corner.
At the time, X user @ed_bodenhamer - owner of said drone images - said that the 16th hole was "wrecked" after trees had fallen around the edge and onto the green and that his other shots highlighted damage which was "represented pretty much across the entire course.”
⛳🌀👀 Before-and-after images from our photo library show some of Hurricane Helene's effects on Augusta National Golf Club.( 📸©30MAY2024 EurekaEarth) ( 📸©19OCT2024 EurekaEarth)#TheMasters #Masters2025 pic.twitter.com/uHmSwBi6w6November 5, 2024
Speaking to X user @EurekaEarthPlus about the method of fixing issues caused by uprooted trees, renowned golf course architect Tom Fazio said: "Having trees fall on your green, what does that mean? You pick up the trees, you fill in the divots and holes they left. Then you re-sod and you’re ready to go."
The project to repair any damage and ensure the first Major of the year takes place on time began as soon as it was possible, according to Augusta National chairman, Fred Ridley.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
Two images shared by Eureka Earth in early November claimed to show a before and after look at the area around the 16th green, with circa 50% fewer trees shading the putting surface and 17th tee box as well as restoration work on the 16th green.
The former photo, taken on May 30, 2024, highlighted the usual work undertaken by Augusta National ground staff in the weeks and months after The Masters has finished while the second reflected a very tidy Augusta National - albeit with a lot less shrubbery framing the holes. That was said to have been taken on October 19, 2024.
A view of the 11th green during the final round of The Masters in April 2024
It was a similar picture by the 11th, too, as the three standalone pines which watched over many an iconic moment appear to be absent from the updated bird's-eye-view image.
At the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in October, the Augusta National chairman assured golf fans that the club was planning to open as soon as possible and certainly before the 2025 Major season begins on April 10.
💚⛳👀 A closer look at No. 11 - White Dogwood three weeks after Hurricane #Helene #AmenCorner ( 📸©19OCT2024 EurekaEarth)#TheMasters #Masters2025🛩️📷sponsored by @AugPropTransfer pic.twitter.com/swmIX8ri2MOctober 29, 2024
Mr Ridley said: “As far as the golf course, it really was affected just as the rest of the community was – there was a lot of damage and we have a lot of people working hard to get us back up and running.
"We don't really know exactly what that's going to mean, but I can tell you if it’s humanly possible, we will be back in business sooner rather than later. The Masters will be held, it will be on the dates it’s scheduled to be held.”

Jonny Leighfield is our Staff News Writer who joined Golf Monthly just in time for the 2023 Solheim Cup and Ryder Cup. He graduated from the University of Brighton with a degree in Sport Journalism in 2017 and spent almost five years as the sole sports reporter at his local newspaper. During his time with Golf Monthly, Jonny has interviewed several stars of the game, including Robert MacIntyre, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, and Joaquin Niemann. An improving golfer himself, Jonny enjoys learning as much about the game as he can and recently reached his Handicap goal of 18 for the first time. He attended both the 150th and 151st Open Championships and dreams of attending The Masters one day.
-
Watch Bryson DeChambeau Smash 400+ Yard Monster Drive In LIV Golf Mexico Practice
DeChambeau is hitting mega drives this week in the 7,800ft altitude setting of Golf Club de Chapultepec in Mexico City
By Elliott Heath
-
Tiger Woods Heads 8 Golfers To Make All Time Rich List Of Top 50 Highest Paid Athletes
Tiger Woods is the second highest paid athlete of all time behind only Michael Jordan in a new top 50 rich list from Sportico
By Paul Higham
-
'I’ve Never Seen Someone Hit A Driver That Good. He Played So Freaking Good. And You Almost Feel Like, How Do I Compete With That?' - Akshay Bhatia Wowed By McIlroy's Masters Display
Akshay Bhatia lavished praise on Rory McIlroy's game at the Masters after playing the opening two rounds alongside the eventual champion at Augusta
By Paul Higham
-
Rory McIlroy Career Grand Slam Celebrated With Royal Mail Postmark
Rory McIlroy's Masters win, which made him the sixth player to complete the career Grand Slam, was celebrated with a special postmark by the Royal Mail
By Mike Hall
-
The Most Wanted Item From The Masters Shop Is Being Listed On Ebay At Almost 4,000% Higher Than Its Original Price
The 2025 Masters Gnome is called 'Peaches' and has been commanding an extremely sour price after being put up for sale online this week....
By Jonny Leighfield
-
Rory McIlroy's Sports Psychologist Explains Why He 'Didn't Talk' To Bryson DeChambeau In Masters Final Round
DeChambeau raised eyebrows at Augusta National when claiming that McIlroy wouldn't engage in conversation during the final round of The Masters
By Jonny Leighfield
-
'He Won't Stop Striving For Improvement' - Sports Psychologist Believes Rory McIlroy Has The 'Mindset, Focus And Drive' To Carry On Excellent Start To 2025 Season
We spoke to experienced Sports Psychologist, Gareth Shaw, about McIlroy's incredible Masters win and how the five-time Major can push on even further in 2025
By Matt Cradock
-
Rory McIlroy's Masters Win More Popular Than Tiger Woods In 2019 As Incredible TV Ratings Released
McIlroy's role as golf's primary needle-mover continued on Sunday as the Northern Irishman's fifth Major attracted an awful lot of eyeballs in the USA...
By Jonny Leighfield
-
The Watches Of The Masters - Bubba Watson's $2.5 Million Richard Mille Features Again While Rory McIlroy Celebrates Victory In $15,000 Omega
Several stars from the world of golf were spotted wearing designer watches throughout the week at Augusta National, where Rory McIlroy claimed his first Green Jacket
By Matt Cradock
-
'You Can't Win Them All If You Don't Win The First' - McIlroy Grand Slam Odds Shorten After Masters Victory
McIlroy completed the Career Grand Slam after winning The Masters, with his odds of claiming the Grand Slam in 2025 slashed after his Green Jacket victory
By Matt Cradock