A Transformation Unlike Any Other

While Augusta National Golf Club has undergone numerous changes since its opening in 1933, the fundamental concepts of Alister MacKenzie and Bobby Jones' designs remain largely recognizable—with one notable exception. The 16th hole stands apart as the only hole on the course that was not merely modified, but entirely reimagined more than a decade after the course first opened.


Today, the par-3 16th, known as “Redbud,” is one of the most famous and recognizable holes in golf. It is an integral part of the thrilling back-nine stretch at The Masters, where the pressure of the green jacket often hinges on the results of these final holes. However, the hole we see today—set in a beautiful pine grove across a signature reflection pond—is a far cry from the original vision.


The Original Design and Post-War Rethinking

The original 16th hole, designed by MacKenzie and Jones, was a shorter par-3 inspired by the seventh hole at Stoke Park in England. It played in an east-west orientation, essentially serving as a continuation of the 15th. It was a modest hole, measuring only 145 yards for the tournament, and lacked the intimidation factor that define modern Augusta holes.


Following the club’s closure during World War II, leadership viewed the course with fresh eyes. It became clear that the 16th was unsatisfactory for championship play; it felt too similar to the 12th in concept but lacked its psychological and environmental challenges. With MacKenzie having passed away in 1934, Bobby Jones and Chairman Clifford Roberts turned to the era’s most prominent architect, Robert Trent Jones, to breathe new life into the hole.


The Birth of a Modern Classic

In 1946, the decision was made to completely reorient the hole. The designers shifted it to a north-south alignment, constructing a new green on the near side of the creek. Most significantly, the fairway area was dredged to create a large, artificial basin. Legend has it that during construction, heavy rains filled the basin so rapidly that workers had to scramble to move machinery, foreshadowing the dramatic water feature that would eventually define the hole.


While Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts initially downplayed the role of Robert Trent Jones in the design, the finished hole bore all the hallmarks of his architectural style:

  • A long, runway-style tee box.
  • A bold, man-made water hazard.
  • A complex, multi-tiered green designed for professional-level strategy.

“The design,” Trent Jones later wrote, “was mine.”

Strategic Mastery and Legendary Moments

The design of the 16th is almost scientific in its ability to influence scoring. The crescent-shaped green is divided by a massive diagonal ridge, effectively creating four distinct sectors. This high-low bifurcation ensures that a tee shot must be struck with absolute precision.


The back-left hole location, in particular, has become legendary. Because of the green’s slope, this area acts as a funnel, gathering balls that land in the correct spot and rolling them toward the cup. This feature has paved the way for some of the most iconic moments in Masters history, including Tiger Woods’s remarkable performance in 2019, where he utilized the slope to secure a critical birdie, and his unbelievable chip-in from behind the green in 2005.


Though the hole has seen further adjustments—including the shortening of the tee distance to 170 yards in 1982 and various green renovations by architect Tom Fazio—the essence of the 1948 redesign remains. It stands today as a testament to the evolution of golf architecture and remains a centerpiece of the most exciting moments in the sport.