A tradition unlike any other almost included a 90-yard duel to the death. Every golf fan knows the 18 holes of Augusta National Golf Club. The pristine fairways, the white-sand bunkers, Amen Corner — it’s sacred ground in the sport. But what if we told you there was supposed to be a 19th hole? A short par-3, designed not for championships, but for settling bets and bruised egos — a little extra drama after the scorecards were signed.
Yes, Augusta almost had a playoff hole for your wallet, courtesy of legendary architect Alister MacKenzie.
A Postscript to Perfection
In the early 1930s, as Augusta National was being imagined into existence by Bobby Jones and Alister MacKenzie, the two dreamed up more than just 18 holes. MacKenzie’s original blueprints included a 19th hole: a short par-3 tucked into a narrow corridor between the 9th and 18th greens.
But this wasn’t just any filler hole. It was built for one purpose: double or nothing. MacKenzie envisioned it as a final showdown, a dramatic side-bet solution where golfers could get their revenge — or lose even more — after a tough match…