AUGUSTA, Ga. – Jack Nicklaus, who won the first of six green jackets 50 years ago this week, has never shied away from the issue of technology and what some see as out-of-control distance gains, and on Tuesday he didn’t disappoint.
“With what happened to the golf ball, (Augusta National) is the only golf course that’s kept up with it,” Nicklaus said. “I don’t think another course in the world has kept up with this golf course. I don’t think another course in the world had enough money to do it.”
In 2002 Augusta National officials lengthened nine holes to increase the overall distance from 6,985 yards to 7,270 yards, and extended more tees in 2006 to bring the modern total to 7,435 yards.
That, said Nicklaus, isn’t really an option for most venues that host major championships once a decade or so.
“If you have an Open someplace, they add another tee or they add something here. They really are not overhauling the situation the way they have here,” Nicklaus said.