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Augusta National Tops Golf Digest’s Best Georgia Courses for 25th Year

For the 25th straight time, Augusta National stands at the peak of Golf Digest’s state rankings. The magazine drew its findings from 1,700 expert players who rated courses throughout the past 10 years….

AUGUSTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 06: A general view of the Hogan Bridge on the 12th hole prior to the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 06, 2024 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

For the 25th straight time, Augusta National stands at the peak of Golf Digest's state rankings. The magazine drew its findings from 1,700 expert players who rated courses throughout the past 10 years.

"No club has tinkered with its golf course as often or as effectively over the decades as has Augusta National Golf Club, mainly to keep it competitive for the annual Masters Tournament, an event it has conducted since 1934, with time off during WWII," wrote Golf Digest.

More than 80,000 detailed evaluations were collected. Each course got marks in six key areas: short options, challenge, design variety, conditioning, aesthetics, and character. The scores paint a clear picture of what makes these courses stand out.

Recent work at Augusta shows its commitment to excellence. Workers lengthened the fifth hole in 2018. Updates were made to the 11th and 15th holes in 2022, and in 2023, 35 yards were added to the 13th hole.

Atlanta's Peachtree Golf Club claimed the second spot, the Ohoopee Match Club in Cobbtown took third, East Lake landed fourth, and Sea Island's Ocean Forest sits proudly in fifth place.