Bernhard Langer Augusta National Course Guide: Hole 16

A guide to the sixteenth 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 16

A guide to the sixteenth 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 16

Augusta National Hole 16 Par 3 170 yards

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

The difficulty of the 16th hole is entirely dependant on the pin position. It’s only a mid-iron, but it’s extremely difficult to get close when the flag is perched just over sand on the right side of the green. A huge ridge runs through the middle of the green, so when the flag is on the lower portion (normally on Thursday and Sunday) players can aim 20 feet right and let the slope do its work. It’s normally a pivotal hole come Sunday afternoon and 15 holes-in-one have been recorded here since the Masters began.

Langer: “The water on the left tempts you to aim for the right half of the green but that can leave a wicked, curling putt if the pin is low and left. You want to avoid putting with your back to the hole – it can happen.”

Best ever score: 1 Worst ever score: 14 (Billy Casper, unofficial)

Bernhard Langer Augusta National Course Guide: Hole 16

Bernhard Langer walks with his caddie across the 16th hole during the 1980s Masters Tournament

Memorable moment: With his ball left of the sloping green on hole 16, Tiger Woods knew he was staring down the barrel. He and Chris DiMarco would settle the war in a play-off, but one of the biggest psychological battles was won by Woods with his inch-perfect chip on Redbud.

After a lengthy assessment of the angles involved, he sent the ball well to the left of the hole, relying on the slope to bring his ball back towards the pin. It rolled tantalisingly close before losing all pace and stopping a hair's breadth from the cup.

As those in DiMarco's corner would have begun to breathe a sigh of relief, the ball dropped in, sending the majority of those gathered on Redbud wild.

Expand How Can I Play Augusta National?

Play Augusta National

How Can I Play Augusta National?

This is one of the most exclusive golf…

Expand Golf Courses With Augusta-Inspired Holes

Golf Courses With Augusta-Inspired Holes

Golf Courses With Augusta-Inspired Holes

These courses built replica holes from Augusta National's…

Expand The Greatest Masters Moments Of The Last 30 years

Play Augusta National

The Greatest Masters Moments Of The Last 30 years

The Masters rarely serves up anything less than…

Worst moment: Ask Greg Norman which shot he'd like to play again during his torrid final round in the 1996 Masters and you can be sure his tee shot on the 16th would be high on the list.

The Australian led Nick Faldo by six shots at the start of the final round, but launched his tee shot into the water on Redbud. Norman cut an inconsolable figure as he stalked down the fairway. The writing was on the wall and was clear to the spectators gathered around him. It was advantage Faldo.

Neil Tappin
Digital Editor

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