Augusta National

I’ve never seen a golf course more beautiful than Augusta National. On this day, Monday's practice round, the weather was cold, damp and overcast, but even drab skies couldn’t take away from this course's radiance.

The azaleas and dogwoods were blooming, and coupled with Rae’s Creek and the tall Georgia pines, they painted a stunning masterpiece -- often repeated through reflections in the ponds.

Even after Tiger Woods and his throng of thousands that followed his every move finished Amen Corner, the 11th, 12th and 13th holes outlined with flowers and the meandering creek and its picturesque bridges, many stayed behind. There was nobody to watch. Masters practice was in full swing, but Tiger had little company in his wake. The grandstands that overlooked the 12th hole, Golden Bell, remained packed. At that moment I realized that people weren’t necessarily here to watch Woods, or even golf for that matter. Many were at this very spot simply because it is mesmerizing. People talked, drank and took pictures. They were in golf heaven, sacred ground, and didn’t want to leave.

Watching Masters practice is fun because the players aren’t as serious, other than Tiger spouting a few unnecessary F-bombs, and take numerous turns chipping and putting around the greens from multiple angles. Pin placements will be different each round, so they wanted to get a feel for all areas of the greens.

Another thing that caught my eye was the grass. That stuff is immaculate. It’s so soft and green, it doesn’t look real.

Also, the practice rounds are the only rounds patrons (that’s a fancy term for fans) can bring cameras and photograph PGA Tour stars to death. Everyone wanted Tiger’s picture. That’s why it was so difficult taking close-ups of the tournament favorite. I had no problem standing beside the tee box when defending champ Zach Johnson pulled out his driver and was practically alone when Ben Crenshaw, Trevor Immelman and Steve Flesch approached the second green.

If you’ve always wanted to walk Augusta National, the practice rounds are your best bet. Badges are available along Washington Road, the four-lane street outside the course, from people looking to make a profit. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so why not head to Augusta one year in the near future? Concessions are very inexpensive and the course is fan-friendly. You get to walk across the famous fairways from time to time. That’s like walking across Lambeau Field.

There is no reason to analyze this course from a competitor's standpoint since I will never swing a club here. Sure, this course plays long, its fairways are undulated and its greens devilish, but why examine the best options on how to play the 13th hole, pictured above with Tiger, when that opportunity will not present itself? Instead for us, Augusta National is left to be admired and appreciated from a spectators' standpoint.

This is the Holy Grail of golf. If you drool at the chance to stroll on the grounds and see the world’s best, try heading to a practice round in the future.