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I guess they'll learn when a short hitter wins on the new, longer Augusta National.

It will be interesting to see how the old girl plays this year. I tend to believe most of what Jack, Arnie, and Nick have to say about golf. It would be interesting to take all the weekend player's driving averages, average them, and see who does better. I know Augusta has always favored the long hitter but I think Jack, Arnie, and Nick's point is that with the latest changes Augusta is favoring the long hitters even more so.

I was just reading an article on Tiger Woods' website about him sneaking up to play a practice round at Augusta. Although the course wasn't in tournament shape yet (Tiger said the greens were running about an 11 on the stimp), he managed a 2-under 70 on the track. Amongst the highlights...Tiger came up short of the 4th green with a 3 iron. This means that possibly the longest hitter in the field (depending on if Holmes, Daly or Watson make it...there are others ahead in the stats but only those three are truly in Tiger's league off the tee) will be hitting a fairway wood into that par 3. What will a guy like David Toms have to hit? Also, on #15, Tiger hit his best drive of the day and reached the green with a 5 iron. This is in line with what the longest hitters were hitting into 15 in the mid-'80s, so it appears Hootie and company have accomplished their objective of keeping guys from making it a driver-wedge hole.

Whatever Jack says, I believe.

2 antennas on a roof met, fell in love, and got married. The wedding ceremony wasn't much, but the reception was excellent.

I see logic in Jack's words. Just because a short hitter can compete, doesnt necesarrily mean it isnt playing into the hands of the longer hitters. Stats cannot easily back up any arguement here, you just have to use logic.

And by "realistic", I'm guessing the intent is to say under normal circumstances. Fred Funk has game, but is taken out of so many courses just because he can't realistically think about birdie on several par 4's. To say that if Tiger is on his game and Funk is playing his best he'd still lose is obvious because Tiger is better all around anyway, but even some golfers of less ability with more length could compete with a Funk type golfer.

If it rains, I think Jack will be proved right , as there will be no roll for the shorter hitters.Hitting four iron and higher intot he tricky greens will be tough.

If the fairways are firm and roll , then the shorter hitters will be in touch.

I would have thought that if it rains and the greens are more receptive the short hitters would have a better chance because it would be easier to get the ball close with a long iron.

This will be a bigger factor

It always rains leading up to The Masters.

Read the article in this week's Golf Digest. Jack isn't concerned ONLY about the length of the course, but the larger bunkers, the limited landing areas.

His basic argument was that Bobby Jones wanted you to have plenty of landing area and be able to put the ball in various places on the fairway and have different routes to the hole. Jack said that a lot of the changes to Augusta have limited those options, and that is his main concern, not necessarily the distance.

And for the record, saying "When will folks like Nicklaus and Nick Price learn?" earns a poster one of these

This is a tricky one. There are valid arguments on both sides of this issue. Personally, I like watching a long drive, but I LOVE watching a great approach shot.

This is one of the top tournaments in PROFESSIONAL golf, thus it should be one of the toughest. Let's face it the game is changing. The equipment has improved and since Tiger came along so has the conditioning of the players. Now, golfers train like athletes. I think this has added a lot to golf at the professional level.

More and more of the young players are long hitters and more are on the way. Call this the Tiger legacy. These players have a distinct advantage, because they can play driver & wedge on a lot of holes. Changing the course so they will be required to use more mid-iron approach shots makes the game a bit more difficult for these guys. That is the side of the argument that says they are adding skill requirement to the tournament. You may hit it long, but you will still have a tough approach shot.

The tough thing is that if you can't hit it long, well, you will probably really struggle on these holes now. Long iron and fairway wood approach shots are tough. Especially on greens like these.

They have made the changes. The game has changed and now we will need to see what happens after a few seasons. This is PROFESSIONAL golf and it should be tough and it should reward the best overall player. The guy that is long off the tee AND can hit solid mid-iron approaches is the better player.

The best player for the week will win the Masters. It will take accurate irons (whether it is a long iron or short iron), great short game (especially putting) and taking advantage of opportunities, when presented.

The good news is that 15 will demand a "go vs no-go" decision and some have the length to make it worth going for. This hole was definitely improved.

I think the fairway bunkers and length will put an extra thought into the driver's mind, and this is a good thing. Accuracy is still rewarded. See Luke D, Jim F, and Chris D last year.

By the way, we all seem to forget that David Toms won a PGA hitting a 5 wood into a Par 3 for an incredible ace. I would expect that most players will be hitting a 5 wood into the 4th hole. They can always move the tee up, if the conditions warrant it.

Let's wait a few years to judge how the course performs. Jack may be correct, but he should be more cautionary in his course comments.

I personally think he is a little miffed that he does not get consulted with the changes. He even attacks Fazio in his rant.

Grow the rough, add some bunkers in long distance landing areas and sabotage Tiger's golf bag and the rest of the PGA tour may have a chance.

If it's firm and fast, they'll still be hitting longer irons into greens that are very springy and not able to hold as well. I tend to think rainy conditions are what has allowed the shorter hitters a shot at the thing the last few years. Give Tiger 8 and 9 irons into the greens and Luke Donald 5 and 6 irons in and Luke would be hard pressed to keep pace if the turf is bouncy.