INSIDE T H E TOUR IAN POULTER It feels like five minutes since I made my Masters’ debut, but as I head to Augusta for the 12th time, my love for the famous course is as great as ever. The Masters is the only major that has pretty much always been held at the same time of year. Apart from a couple that took place in March, including the first in 1934, early April is the time we all look forward to. It’s no coincidence that this time of year is also when the course is looking at its best. This is when spring hits the Deep South, when the azaleas and dogwoods are in full bloom, and when Bobby Jones rightly thought this former nursery would amaze the world with its beauty. And, although the golf season started in Malaysia in early January for me, the Masters is still the start of the season proper. Last year I shot two 67s over the weekend to finish in a tie for 6th, nine shots behind Jordan Spieth. What especially pleased me about 12 months ago was I found 60 of the 72 greens in regulation – five more than anyone else in the field. It was just a shame I didn’t get a good enough start to make the weekend pay! As the first major approaches, I begin to think more and more about the specific shots I will need to play Augusta National well; big hooks off the tee and a super-sharp short game. The course has a reputation for suiting players who move the ball right-to-left. That’s not my natural shape, but I love the place and think it sets up nicely for my game. Over the years, the ‘right-to-left’ factor has been taken out a little bit. A lot of limbs from trees have been lost due to the frost, which means you don’t have to sling it quite as far round the corner at the 10th, for instance; and the same at the 2nd. So a couple of drives have opened up, and because fairways are wide, a solid straight drive will pretty much always put you in a good position. For me, the par 5s and par 3s are key to Augusta. During the week, you’ll play <strong>16</strong> par 5s, and I always aim to be double-digits under par for these. That puts you in a really nice position. In order to achieve this, I practise hitting wedges from 50 to 90 yards off slightly downhill lies; a tough shot at the best of times, when there’s no crowds and no pressure. If you don’t hit a good drive at the 15th, you’re laying it up, on a downslope; and it’s the same on the 2nd. The 13th is a key hole, and again the chances are you’re going to be playing on a slight downslope, maybe with the ball above your feet, if you lay up. With the par 3s, I try to focus on playing them sensibly and avoiding a high number. There are a couple of very tricky pin ‘I used to put 50p pieces into the TV for a glimpse of the Masters... appearing in my first one is a memory I’ll take to the grave ’ locations on the right tier of the 6th, which make you use a lot of focus on the tee. At the 12th, it’s all too easy to make a mistake and get caught in the wind. And the <strong>16</strong>th has two very difficult pins on the right-hand side. But, for me, the real beauty is how it tests your imagination – you really have to manage distance control and constantly think about leaving yourself in a good position to putt. When I do miss greens, I feel very comfortable on the tight chipping areas; and it goes without saying that I love the fast greens. Having said that, much of my short game practise will be left until the week itself, just because it’s so difficult to replicate the conditions. It’s only those last few hours when you can get used to the wickedly fast left-to-righters, and right-to-lefters. It’s weird to think that I’m about to make my 12th appearance at Augusta. It doesn’t seem like that long ago when I made my debut, back in 2004. I can still remember the massive buzz when I got my first invitation through the post. The thrill of your first trip down Magnolia Lane and your first glance at the course from the balcony of the clubhouse never leaves you. If, like me, you spent some of your childhood putting 50 pence pieces into the back of a TV, turning the knob, and fiddling madly with the aerial well after bedtime just to make sure you could catch a glimpse of the action from the Masters, then appearing in your first one is a memory you will take to the grave. I’m looking forward to this year as much as ever. I just love the course, and it’s been a reasonably happy hunting ground for me – I’ve only once finished outside the top 35 (I missed the cut in 2013). As I write, the PGA Tour is on the verge of arriving at the Florida swing. It’s a time I always look forward to, not least because I can stay at home for some tournaments. Playing from ‘home’ makes you relaxed and happy. If only every week could be like that! I should really have won the Honda Classic last year; and just thinking about it still bugs me a bit, so I’ve got some unfinished business to sort out there! It was a massively disappointing week, given I had a three-shot lead going into the final round; and despite making two doubles and a triple, was only a shot out of the play-off. Ian Poulter is a 14-time Tour winner and Ryder Cup player. He writes exclusively for Golf World. 26 Golf World May 20<strong>16</strong>
THE NEW REIGN OF POWER Discover the optimum distance for your swing with dialled in adjustable sole weighting. Low and penetrating ball flight with the weight in the front, or high and towering with the weight in the back. More spin control. More speed. More precision. Extreme distance under your control. cobragolf.co.uk/king Official Equipment Partner of the PGA EuroPro Tour
Change language