Widely regarded as the most famous drive in golf, there is no approach to a golf club quite as symbolic and awe-inspiring as the drive down Magnolia Lane towards the Augusta National clubhouse, which every player in the 94 man field will make with a smile on their face this week.
Alongside Amen Corner, Magnolia Lane is one of the most recognisable and endearing features of the historic Masters Tournament, with its 60 trees synonymous with the blooming of the golfing calendar’s first Major Championship.
The 300 metre drive is one nearly every player, both young and old, make sure they take the opportunity to film or photograph as they make their way towards the clubhouse.
Some players always like to be different though, with four time Masters Champion Gary Player walking up the famous stretch of road earlier this week.
Taking my traditional walk down Magnolia Lane @themasters still gives me goosebumps #memories #thebigthree pic.twitter.com/DE5qDW8mkJ
— Gary Player (@garyplayer) April 3, 2017
Six-time Masters Champion Jack Nicklaus filmed his entire journey up Magnolia Lane last year, showing that even having 18 Majors to your name does not prevent you from getting stopped by security three times.
Henrik Stenson took a different approach at last year’s Masters Tournament, with ‘The Iceman’ rather aptly cruising along to Vanilla Ice’s famous ‘Ice, Ice, Baby’, and also sharing the video for us to enjoy.
Stenson might have made that famous journey for the last 11 consecutive years, but many other players are not so lucky, with only those who belong to Augusta National, or who are competing at the Masters, being allowed the chance to experience it.
Two players who got to make that journey for the first time this year were Jon Rahm and Tommy Fleetwood. Although Rahm went the Player route and walked, both reflected on the experience afterwards.
“It really is amazing just to walk down Magnolia Lane and feel how well respected the game of golf is,” said Rahm. “It's truly amazing.” With Fleetwood remarking; “It doesn't disappoint when you arrive and you drive down Magnolia Lane. It’s what dreams are all about.”
Tournament patrons are allowed to view the famous driveway, whose history was recently chronicled by famed golf writer David Owen. Not every road to leading to a golf clubhouse gets its own book you know…
However, there are less magnolias than there once were, with a storm during the 2011 Masters uprooted one that had been planted before the American Civil War, leaving 60 magnolias still standing.
Despite the acrimonious death of one magnolia, there is still so much to savour and enjoy about Magnolia Lane.
