By Brendon Elliott, PGA
With the azaleas in full bloom and the pines standing tall, Augusta National Golf Club once again welcomed the world’s best golfers to the most revered tournament in golf last month. While the spotlight shines brightest on Amen Corner and the 18th green, there’s a space at Augusta that holds a special place in my heart: the tournament practice facility, a masterpiece of design that continues to evolve with the game itself.
My love affair with this practice facility began in 2010, which just so happened to be the year it opened. Since then, I’ve made the pilgrimage to Augusta National every April (save for the COVID-disrupted years of 2020 and 2021), accumulating what I estimate to be around 200 hours watching the world’s best prepare for golf’s most prestigious tournament. There’s something almost meditative about sitting in those bleachers, observing the meticulous routines of champions past, present and future.
The Evolution Continues
This year marks the 16th Masters since the current practice facility opened, and the changes in the game continue to push its boundaries. What was once considered future-proof is now being tested by the modern game’s power. When the facility opened, the 400-yard range seemed more than adequate. Now, as players like Rory, Bryson and Scottie routinely carry drives over 320 yards, one wonders how long before Augusta National considers further adaptations.
The practice facility sits on what was once an 18-acre parking lot. I still remember my first glimpse in 2010 – I was in awe. But when hearing from patrons who had been there in years before 2010 about the transformation from asphalt to golfing paradise, it literally stopped me in my tracks.
A Living Laboratory
Walking the grounds that week, I noticed subtle refinements to the practice area. The maintenance team at Augusta National leaves nothing to chance. The turf conditions mirrored precisely what players faced on the course, from the firmness of the fairways to the speed of the greens. It’s this attention to detail that makes this facility not just a warm-up area but a crucial strategic preparation tool.
I spent several hours on the Tuesday of this past Masters watching Scottie, the world number one and 2022 and 2024 champion, working meticulously on controlling his trajectory. His focus on flight control seemed particularly purposeful. Nearby, Bryson spent an extended session on the short game area, his intensity palpable even from the grandstand.
The Components of Augusta National’s World-Class Practice Facility
The Range
The range itself, designed by renowned golf course architect Tom Fazio, remains a marvel of thoughtful design. The V-shaped configuration, with pine trees splitting the fairways about 235 yards out, allows players to practice both draws and fades from any position on the tee. Target greens are positioned at 75, 150, 180 and 210 yards, with the closest one mirroring the second hole’s green complex, complete with its distinctive bunkering.
The tee area, large enough to comfortably accommodate 36 players, features Bermuda grass overseeded with Rye and cut to a precise 5/16″. The target greens match the course greens exactly – A1 Bentgrass cut to 1/8″ – giving players the exact feel they’ll encounter during competition.
This year, I noticed players spending more time hitting to specific targets, perhaps a response to the course’s strategic demands. The precision required at Augusta National has never been greater, and the practice facility provides the perfect canvas for honing that accuracy.
The Grandstands
The permanent grandstand behind the range tee expanded in 2012, accommodating up to 600 patrons. This year, except for Monday’s washout, seats were filled from sunrise to sunset. The energy was different this year – there was a palpable enthusiasm among patrons eager to soak in every moment of the Masters experience.
I found myself sitting next to first-time attendees and 40-year veterans, sharing stories and observations. On Thursday, an elderly gentleman beside me recounted watching Jack Nicklaus practice on the old range before his historic 1986 win. These shared moments of connection are as much a part of the Masters tradition as the golf itself.
The Short Game Area
The short game area, with its two greens and five bunkers, continues to be perhaps the most crucial practice space at Augusta National. The tournament often comes down to touch around the lightning-fast greens, and players know it.
This year, I watched players such as McIlroy, Garcia and Rahm spend considerable amounts of time perfecting delicate chips from tight lies while DeChambeau worked extensively on bunker play. We saw the fruits of those sessions play out well for him during the tournament. The short game area replicates the exact conditions players face on the course, from the grain of the grass to the texture of the sand. It’s this authenticity that makes practice here so valuable.
The Practice Facility Putting Green
The putting green at the practice facility serves as the laboratory where players decode Augusta’s infamous greens. Unlike the putting green near the first tee, which is primarily for last-minute warm-ups, this green is where the serious work happens.
This year, I watched Sergio and his caddie work on breaking putts in the 15–20-foot range. The green, maintained at the exact same speed as those on the course, provides the perfect training ground.
What struck me this year was how many players were practicing putts with their caddies standing behind them, mimicking the tournament scenario where they’ll need to make crucial reads without the luxury of walking around the hole from all angles.
Golf Services Building
The Golf Services Building, with its colonnade reminiscent of the main clubhouse, continues to serve as the social hub of the practice area. This year, I noticed more players lingering in this space, perhaps a reflection of the increasing social nature of the modern PGA TOUR.
Inside, beyond the view of patrons, players have access to club repair facilities, fitness trailers and a grill area. The building also houses caddie services, including club storage and lockers. It’s a sanctuary of sorts where players can momentarily escape the intensity of Masters week.
The Human Element
What continues to fascinate me about the practice facility is the human drama that unfolds there. This year, as I have so many previous years, I watched Freddie Couples play “Mayor of Augusta National,” saying hello and chatting it up with all who walked by.
These moments of camaraderie happen daily at the practice facility, often away from the cameras. It’s where Masters rookies can be seen soaking up wisdom from veterans like Adam Scott, Bernhard Langer or Tom Watson. It’s where friendships are strengthened and competitive fires stoked. That component is not much different than the public ranges at which we all gather.
Technology Meets Tradition
While Augusta National embraces tradition, the practice facility subtly incorporates modern technology. Over the years, there has been a steady increase in players using portable launch monitors during their sessions, to the point where it is out of the norm to see a player without one. This is done with characteristic Augusta discretion – no flashy displays or loud discussions of numbers.
The balance between tradition and innovation is delicate, but Augusta National continues to find that sweet spot. The practice facility provides players’ data while they practice for viewers on TV, the Masters app and Masters.com.
A Reflection of Excellence
As I once again sat in the grandstand on Wednesday afternoon watching the final preparations before the opening round, I was struck by how the practice facility embodies Augusta National’s ethos: a relentless pursuit of excellence, attention to every detail and a deep respect for the game’s traditions.
“It’s the Masters. It’s Augusta National. Their practice facility was really, really good before the addition, and now it’s off the chain, as they say…It’s as good as you’ll ever see.”
~ Zach Johnson, 2007 Masters Champion
Johnson’s words ring as true in 2025 as they did when the facility first opened. In a game constantly evolving, with players hitting the ball farther and technology advancing rapidly, the Masters Tournament Practice Facility remains the gold standard – a perfect blend of functionality, beauty and reverence for the game.
As the sun set on the Sunday of this year’s Masters, with Rory finally donning the Green Jacket, I found myself grateful for this space where golf’s greatest talents prepare for their date with history. In many ways, the story of the tournament begins there, on that immaculate practice ground, where champions calibrate their games for the challenge that awaits.
I will see you again next April Augusta National. I can’t wait to do it all once again at one of the game’s best practice areas.
