First Impressions - Augusta 2008

It's been a long time coming and my God was it worth the wait. Luke Norman gets out and about to experience Augusta National for the very first time. Verdict – completely brilliant.

Masters - Final round

Man look at this grass, it's just so, I mean it's just so green.

I can totally empathise with this first-time all-American spectator I ran into by the 1st tee at Augusta today. As a fellow Masters virgin on my first reconnaissance mission all I can say is wow, wow, wow, oh and WOW.

Apologies but I think I am still suffering from severe shell shock, it's fair to say that the inane grin has certainly not left my boat. In fact, that's one of the first things that struck me about this very special place it's a dentist's nightmare, everyone has the same dis-believing smile permanently plastered to their face. It's like we have all entered a highly exclusive cult, drunk deeply from the intoxicating well and we're all rather pleased about it. It has got my vote.

I have to admit that I entered the gates today a little nervous, I was concerned that having been told how lucky I was by so many people, been informed about how incredible it was and heard countless classic stories from my travelling companions on the way here, I was going to be slightly disappointed or even worse I wasn't going to get it. Oh, no, no, no, no no I get it all right and I'm not sure I will ever leave.

So strong is the sense of well-being, contentment and inexhaustible goodwill towards all of God's creatures that consumes everyone privileged enough to be here that were I made Sec Gen of the UN (not inconceivable I may add) a trip here for Bush, Rice and Co would be top of my agenda.

The first real golfer so overwhelming is the course that you forget people are here to play a tournament I encountered was Zach Johnson teeing off at the 1st. Not a bad start then.

After that it was straight to Amen Corner I couldn't resist. The gradient at 11, the ludicrously difficult approach to follow, the sheer beauty of 12 and then the majestic horror that is 13. Woh, not sure quite how you play that bad boy.

Normally, at the Majors I have been lucky enough to attend, I am still totally star-struck and desperate to see my heroes in action. However, despite Woods, Mickelson, Rose, Karlsson and Garcia playing while I was out and about, it wasn't them I was looking to see, it was just the golf course. It's everything and then a whole lot more than I had been told about.

As I approached 18, a guy in the requisite baseball cap and Bermuda shorts was (half) jokingly asking the steward if he could dig up some turf and take it away with him. Good call from the Yank.

Best thing of all about the first wander around? It's got to be that there are another five days left!

Neil Tappin
Editor

In July 2023, Neil became just the 9th editor in Golf Monthly's 112-year history. Originally working with the best coaches in the UK to produce instruction content, he has also presented many Golf Monthly videos looking at all areas of the game from Tour player interviews to the rules of golf. 

Throughout his time with the brand he has also covered equipment launches that date back well over a decade. He clearly remembers the launch of the Callaway and Nike square drivers as well as the white TaylorMade driver families, such as the RocketBallz! If you take a look at the Golf Monthly YouTube channel, you'll see his equipment videos dating back over a decade! He has also conducted 'What's In The Bag' interviews with many of the game's best players like Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson and Jon Rahm. Over the years, Neil has tested a vast array of products in each category and at drastically different price-points. 


Neil is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade Stealth Plus Fairway Wood: Titleist TSR2 Hybrid: Titleist TS3 Irons: PING Blueprint S (4&5), PING Blueprint T (6-PW) Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM7 50˚, 54˚, 60˚ Putter: Odyssey Triple Track Ten Ball: Titleist Pro V1X