This blog will discuss everyday tourist opportunities, ideas and issues from various perspectives, focusing mostly on urban spaces, places and experiences. Yes, bootylicious is the word that best describes Augusta National Golf Course , with its fairways and greens having the bumps and curves of a voluptuous woman.
Augusta is well-manicured, even the pine needles under the trees have been combed so they are neat and tidy. The reds and pinks of the flowers resemble the lipsticks found in an upscale cosmetic boutique. The untouched white sand traps that dot the fairways and guard the greens look ornamental, like a broach or necklace. The smooth mirror-like ponds add a definite narcissistic element to the golf course.
Some might even call Augusta a vixen, with holes that can be both seductive and ill-tempered. Indeed, it had a very waxy, plastic feel. After spending a day at Augusta National for a practice round and then watching The Masters the next weekend I have a much greater appreciation for the sensuality and seductiveness of the golf course.
Augusta is drop-dead gorgeous; definitely eye-candy. The crowd was overwhelming for me; it was like Disneyland for golfers. It took me awhile to get use to the masses of people swarming everywhere 40, I think. I found it difficult to really appreciate the course with so many people on it. I also found it hard to appreciate the fairways looking at them from the sides. To me you have to walk down the middle of the fairways and onto the greens to really understand the golf course terrain.
Unlike a tournament day where most patrons would sit and watch, on practice days it is chaos as people walk all over the golf course. The same was true of the players - they wandered all over the course hitting balls from different spots on the fairway and greens. For me there was more intensity on the driving range as players worked with their coaches on their swing. I was also intrigued by all the swing aides used on the driving range and putting green. The pro shop was an amazing experience.
