Inspiration
Creating a Masters-Inspired Outdoor Living Space
Story Highlights
It's that wonderful time of year when enthusiasts of sport, nature, and gardening unite for their love of one event: The Masters Tournament.
The Masters is one of sports' grandest spectacles and its host, Augusta National Golf Club, is a quintessential example of both nature's beauty and our ability to enhance it.
Because the event and stunning setting garner so much appreciation, many homeowners want to emulate the look and feel of Augusta National in their backyards. In Central Virginia, our setting and climate are similar to that of Augusta, Georgia, allowing us to perfectly replicate the Masters look. If you're interested in recreating Augusta at your home, this guide will provide the inspiration and tips to do just that!
When it comes to emulating Augusta
Everything begins with the Landscape
Augusta National Golf Club, host of the Masters Tournament, is built on the grounds of the former Fruitland Nursery. The nursery operated from 1857 to 1910 and became renowned for importing a wide variety of plants from around the world. When designing the golf course, architects (including two grandsons of Fruitland's original owner) embraced the history of the land by incorporating existing plantings and creating stunning landscaped scenes.
With this rich history of horticulture, it's essential to get the details of the landscape correct when emulating the look and feel of Augusta National.
Embrace & Enhance
Existing Beauty
“There’s no mountains, there’s no oceans—it’s just pure natural beauty,” Fuzzy Zoeller - 1979 Masters champion
The key to Augusta's beauty is the way its designers have always embraced and enhanced the land's history as a world-renowned nursery and its natural rolling hills, waterways, and stately pine trees.
When designing your Masters-inspired space, approach the project with the same philosophy. Embrace your property's topography and natural elements, including the pine trees that many homeowners prefer to remove.
Your landscape must start with
Azaleas & Dogwoods
Azaleas and dogwoods are as essential to the Masters as Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus. They are so essential in fact, that you could easily emulate the Masters look with only these two plants.
Tips
Pick out numerous varieties (Augusta features 30 varieties) and distribute them randomly for a natural look.
Consider reblooming varieties like "Encore" and "Bloom-a-thon" for a show in Spring and Autumn.
If you need privacy, create your own
Magnolia Lane
Fans of the Masters know that the most famous drive at Augusta National doesn’t involve golf at all.
Magnolia Lane is the famed club entrance that stretches 330 yards and is lined on each side with 61 magnolia trees, 122 total. The trees date to the 1850s when they were planted as seeds by the original family that started Fruitland Nursery.
Consider welcoming your guests the Augusta way with a Magnolia-lined driveway or possibly creating a "Magnolia Lane" privacy screen for your backyard space.
Pine Straw
Along with the stunning plantings, there is also another player in the Augusta National landscape; the copper-hued Georgia pine straw. For anyone not familiar with the term, pine straw is simply fallen pine needles used as mulch. Along with the traditional insulation and runoff benefits of most mulches, pine straw also provides nutrients for acid-loving plants like (you guessed it) azaleas!
If you don't like the look of pine straw, consider using shredded pine bark instead of the standard shredded hardwood mulch.
A Good Lawn
Let's be honest, no one is going to mistake your backyard for Augusta National if you don't have a good lawn. To be authentic, Augusta National’s primary grass is bermuda. During the hot and humid Georgia summer, bermuda's heat tolerance and overall toughness make it the perfect choice. In the Fall, as the nights become cooler, the bermuda goes dormant, stops growing, and turns brown. Once the weather is desirable to grow cool-season grasses, the bermudagrass is scalped down and perennial ryegrass seed is spread for fall, winter, and spring use.
If you don't want to work as hard as a professional greenskeeper (the process above is much more labor-intensive than it sounds), a well-maintained fescue lawn will certainly create the desired look.
If you need something to climb
Wisteria
If you are in need of a climbing plant for a pergola, pavilion, or fence, consider wisteria, an Augusta favorite. This invasive climber can be seen throughout the grounds, including one notable vine a the rear of the clubhouse. This particular wisteria vine is thought to be one of the first of its kind brought to the United States and possibly this country's oldest in existence.
For your Masters-inspired space, be sure to use American wisteria; it provides an almost identical look without the overly aggressive and invasive growth habits of Asian varieties.
fill out your landscape with the
Plants of Augusta
Famously, each hole at Augusta National is named for a tree, shrub, or flower found on the course. Along with azaleas and dogwoods, celebrated plants include forsythia, pyracantha (pictured), pampas grass, camellia, juniper, and more. Including these plants in your landscape will increase the authenticity of your Masters space as well as provide interest throughout the year. To learn more about the plants of Augusta National, be sure to check out our article that discusses the trees and shrubs, hole-by-hole.
Recreating an icon
Yellow Pansies, Marigolds, & Mums
Arguably the most iconic off-course feature of Augusta National is the floral Masters' logo that greets members and visitors at the end of Magnolia Lane. During the Masters tournament, the logo is created using yellow pansies. As the weather warms, yellow marigolds replace the pansies. Chrysanthemums are then planted for the fall before being replaced, once again, by pansies.
Consider emulating this iconic seasonal practice with a simple circle planting or bordering an entry walkway.
Another Option
Not a fan of Annual Plantings?
If you do not want to go through the hassle and cost of replanting seasonal flowers, consider these long-blooming perennials and shrubs for your nod to the logo:
Consider reblooming daylilies like "Happy Returns" (pictured) and "Stella De Oro."
Consider "The Sunny" Knock Out Rose or "Lemon" and "Popcorn" Drift Roses.
Consider low-growing, long blooming varieties like "Moonbeam" and "Zagreb."
Additional Seasonal Color
Along with the seasonal color used for the iconic entrance logo, the Augusta National clubhouse also features two other simple and stunning plantings.
In the Clubhouse photo above, you can see the hanging baskets of Red Geraniums that welcome members and guests.
Red Geraniums
Hanging baskets of red geraniums can be found at the entrance and throughout the Augusta National Clubhouse.
In the furniture photos later in this article, you will see the small planters of begonias as centerpieces on all of the clubhouse's outdoor tables.
Red Begonias
Throughout the growing season, the clubhouse tables are adorned with small planters of red begonias.
With the landscape well covered, shift your focus to
Hardscapes & Structures
Though noted for its stunning landscapes, Augusta National also features beautiful hardscape, masonry, and carpentry work that can be emulated in your space.
For hardscapes, Draw inspiration from
The Walls & Bridges
For your hardscape structures (wall, grill island, outdoor kitchen, fire pit, fireplace, etc.), Augusta National provides plenty of inspiration in the form of walls and bridges.
Our favorite inspiration comes from the pictured retaining wall at the tee box of Azalea hole #13. A similar stacked stone style is also used on various bridges throughout the course.
The look of this fieldstone wall could be recreated using a mix of thin, wall, and building stone from a local supplier. If you're using a pre-made veneer product, consider a fieldstone with a "ledge" cut.
The Sarazen Bridge
The Sarazen Bridge is located to the left of the pond fronting the 15th green and commemorates Gene Sarazen’s double eagle on the 15th hole in the final round in 1935. It enabled him to tie Craig Wood, and Sarazen prevailed the next day in the tournament’s only 36-hole playoff.
Augusta National unveiled the Sarazen Bridge on April 6, 1955. The flat footbridge and wall were designed by Augusta architect H. Lowrey Stulb. “It isn’t a bridge,” Stulb said, “but we’ll call it that.”
To recreate this look, definitely consider a premade veneer with squared-off corners and cleaner lines (consider a mondern "ledge" cut or a stacked stone panel).
The Hogan & Nelson Bridges
The Nelson Bridge takes golfers from Augusta's 13th tee towards the fairway and commemorates Byron Nelson's charge of a birdie at No. 12 and an eagle at No. 13th to win the 1937 Masters. The Hogan Bridge takes golfers to the 12th green and honors Ben Hogan’s score of 274 in 1953, then the lowest 72-hole score in Masters history. These two bridges in Amen Corner were dedicated on the same day - April 2, 1958 – and thereby became the second and third dedicated bridges at Augusta National.
To emulate these bridges, design your structures using a split-face veneer with an "overgrout" mortar joint, and be sure to incorporate arches. If using a pre-made veneer, consider something rustic and jagged like Shadow Rock from Eldorado Stone.
FOr patios & walkways, emulate the
Brick Terrace
When looking for patio inspiration at Augusta National, consider the Press Center terrace that was introduced in 2017. The multi-toned brick and herringbone pattern creates an old-world look that is perfect for Augusta as well as your Masters-inspired backyard.
Notice the hanging baskets of red geraniums, as mentioned above.
Or be inspired by the stone on...
The Sarazen Bridge
If you're not a fan of brick, consider drawing your patio inspiration from The Sarazen Bridge. The bridge, dedicated in 1955, crosses the pond in front of the 15th green and is composed of a brown-hued pattern flagstone.
The bridge commemorates the ‘shot that was heard around the world.’ When the Masters first started, it was regarded as a 'smaller' tournament. However, in 1935, Gene Sarazen holed out in two on the par-5 15th; attracting global attention and giving the tournament a huge boost in coverage.
If the brown tones do not work with your home, a pattern bluestone would also work wonderfully in a Masters' themed space.
or consider a...
Grass Patio
If you want to be truly authentic (and save a little on your budget) consider a grass patio. To do this, make sure to create a flat lawn area with a subtle pitch to allow for proper drainage. Always be on the lookout for settling spots as well as divots created by pets and wildlife; these areas will create standing water and wreak havoc on your furniture use. Also, if you go the grass patio route, be sure to select furniture with a sled or cantilever base; traditional furniture legs will dig into the lawn, creating divots and an unenjoyable experience.
If you want to avoid all of these issues, build your grass patio using artificial turf! Today's products are incredibly realistic and are installed over a traditional patio foundation that provides a sturdy, well-draining surface.
For Porches & Pavilions emulate
The Clubhouse
If your outdoor space is going to include a porch or pavilion, consider designing your structure to resemble the Augusta National Clubhouse.
Whether painted or wrapped with PVC, your structure should feature clean, white finishes, including the railings. For the ceiling, take inspiration from the press center terrace (pictured previously) and use beadboard with recessed lights. To top the structure, a hip or pyramid roof with grey asphalt shingles and a cupola will provide the perfect look! To get the look exact, flare the eaves of your roof for that extra Augusta touch.
the final touches
Take your Masters theme to the next level
As with any theme, there are always a few final touches that can elevate your outdoor living space to the next level. If you're looking to create an outdoor space that is unmistakenly Masters-inspired, consider adding the following features.
furnish your space with
Green & White
When it comes to furnishing your Masters-themed outdoor space, this picture of Augusta's patio area is all you need for inspiration. From the white-framed furniture to the green and white striped umbrella, this picture says it all. When you're selecting furniture, fabrics, and accessories, do not diverge from green and white.
Also, notice the centerpieces featuring red begonias, as discussed above.
Add a Running Riverbed
If you're looking to truly recreate Augusta National in your backyard, consider adding a simple running riverbed (maybe with a stone bridge?) as a nod to Rae's Creek (pictured).
Fans of the Masters Tournament are familiar with Rae's Creek. The peaceful waterway winds through Augusta National at Amen Corner, the famous stretch of holes that is often instrumental in deciding the Masters winner. The creek flows in front of the 12th green and behind the 11th green. A tributary (seen here) also runs up the left side of the 13th fairway and in front of the greens.
Add a Putting Green
Whether it's meant to help you with your short game, provide fun for the kids, or simply add to your theme, a putting green would be right at home in a Masters-inspired outdoor living space. In the hands of a good designer, this feature will be a stunning focal point that also provides hours of fun. If you have a favorite hole at Augusta, don't hesitate to ask your designer to emulate the green in your backyard; most designers would welcome the opportunity!
And finally, don't forget to add an
Outdoor Television
What's the point of having a yard inspired by Augusta National if you can't enjoy it while watching the Masters? Whether you include an Outdoor Television (like those from SunBrite) or an indoor one protected by a weatherproof case (like those from Storm Shell), be sure to include a television in your Masters-inspired Outdoor Living Space!
Looking for more inspiration?
Check out our Masters-inspired poolscape as well as some of our favorite photos of Augusta National Golf Club.
A Masters-inspired
Poolscape
This swimming pool project is a great example of of a stunning outdoor space that subtly evokes the Masters and Augusta National. For the pool decking, the homeowner went with a combination of pattern bluestone and brick; the materials beautifully compliment their house as well as emulate the Sarazen Bridge and press center terrace. The landscape is composed of Augusta staples including over 10 varieties of azaleas as well as dogwoods, boxwood, hollies, and nandina. For the final Augusta touches, the space is furnished with green umbrellas as well as green and white striped pillows and pool towels.
Holiday Decorating Tips for your Patio or Deck
Holiday Decorating Tips for your Patio or Deck
Whether you're incorporating your outdoor living space into your holiday gatherings or you simply want to see something festive when you look out your back windows, our tips will help you to create a beautiful holiday scene on your patio, deck, or porch.