Bernhard Langer Augusta National Course Guide: Hole 13

published 1 April 2021

A guide to the thirteenth hole at Augusta National, including tips from two-time Masters champion and 37-time Masters competitor Bernhard Langer

Bernhard Langer Augusta National Course Guide: Hole 13

Augusta National Hole 13 Par 5 510 yards

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18

The 13th marks the start of the most scoreable stretch at Augusta National, and a number of victories can be attributed to low scoring from holes 13-17.

This is another tee shot that requires a right-to-left ball flight, with many players choosing to hit 3-wood to impart more spin on the ball.

Related: The Flora At Augusta National

Every player will be able to reach in two, although an uneven stance for the second, the Rae’s Creek-fronted putting surface and bunkers behind the green certainly give players something to think about. That said, you’ll see more eagles here than double-bogeys.

Langer: “I love this hole, classic ‘risk and reward’. The tee shot needs to hook around and hug the left of the fairway by the creek because that shortens the second shot and gives you a flatter lie. Even then the second shot is played above your feet.”

Best ever score: 2 Worst ever score: 13

Memorable moment: Phil Mickelson pulled off one of the most audacious shots Augusta National has ever seen on the 13th in 2010. With his ball resting on the pine straw between two formidable trees, the American launched an outstanding shot to within just four feet of the flag.

Maybe it was the occasion, but for Mickelson, already regarded as an aggressive ball-striker, to send the ball clear of the trees and Rae's Creek was extraordinary. Many might contemplate the shot Mickelson hit, but only a select few have the innate champion's touch to make it. It was no surprise, then, that he saw the job through to claim his third Masters title.

Worst moment: It's a slim consolation to Tom Weiskopf, but he's not the only player to have made a 13 at the Masters.

Expand How Can I Play Augusta National?

How Can I Play Augusta National?

This is one of the most exclusive golf…

Expand Why Are The Augusta National Bunkers White?

Why Are The Augusta National Bunkers White?

Why are the bunkers at Augusta National white,…

Expand 10 Things You Can’t Do At Augusta National

10 Things You Can’t Do At Augusta National

Augusta National, annual host of the Masters, has…

Tommy Nakajima found Rae's Creek to be the scourge of his efforts to leave Azalea with a respectable score. After struggling with the water, he was forced to add a number of penalty strokes to his score before he could eventually get to within putting distance, with the ball even hitting his foot at one point.

In his current role, Neil is responsible for testing drivers and golf balls. Having been a part of the Golf Monthly team for over 15 years and playing off a handicap of 3, he has the experience to compare performance between models, brands and generations. For 2022 he thinks the main trend in drivers is: "In a word, consistency. Whilst all the brands are talking about ball speed (and the new drivers are certainly long), my biggest finding has been how much more consistent the ball flights are. Mishits don't seem to be causing the same level of drop-off or increase in the spin numbers. This means that more shots seem to be flying the way you want them to!" As far as golf balls are concerned the biggest development is in the, "three piece, non-Tour, urethane-covered section. For regular golfers, these models offer superb performance at both ends of the bag without denting your wallet quite as much as the premium Tour-played options."

Originally working with the best coaches in the UK to produce instruction content, he is now the brand's Digital Editor and covers everything from Tour player interviews to gear reviews. In his time at Golf Monthly, he has covered equipment launches that date back well over a decade. He clearly remembers the launch of the Callaway and Nike square drivers as well as the white TaylorMade driver families, such as the RocketBallz! If you take a look at the Golf Monthly YouTube channel, you'll see his equipment videos dating back over a decade! He has also conducted 'What's In The Bag' interviews with many of the game's best players like Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson and Jon Rahm. Over the years, Neil has tested a vast array of products in each category and at drastically different price-points.

Neil is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade Stealth Plus Fairway Wood: Titleist TSR2 Hybrid: Titleist TS3 Irons (4-9): Mizuno JPX 919 Forged Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM7 46˚, 50˚, 54˚, 60˚ Putter: Odyssey Triple Track Ten Ball: Titleist Pro V1X