Among Golf’s Majors, the Masters is unique because it always is played on the same course: Augusta National. As a result, even the casual golf fan is familiar with the look of the course. Below, you’ll find a chart with the names of each hole, the pars and the yardages for Augusta National.

Here’s one record that I think even Tiger will never own: When the Masters kicks off next week, Gary Player will tee it up for the fifty first time. And just not with a ceremonial first shot off the tee. Given what we know about the eternally young champion, he probably thinks he has a chance to make the weekend.

I wouldn’t put it past him. When I saw him at the Ford Championship two summers ago, I was amazed at the shots he was making.

But even if he doesn’t make the weekend, playing in 51 Masters is an incredible achievement. Most of the players he will face weren’t even alive when he first played Augusta National.

Ian Woosnam put the Masters Tournament record Gary Player will break in two weeks in perspective. 

“I’m 50 years of age, and he’s played there 51 years,” he said of Player, who will break the record for the most starts at Augusta National he currently shares with Arnold Palmer. “It is mind-boggling.”

Some have criticized Player, saying that he’s only hanging on to pass Palmer, but he doesn’t see it that way. The fitness fanatic says that his primary motivation is to serve as an inspiration for others.

Player said his main motivation for playing in a record number of tournaments isn’t something he views as a personal goal fulfilled, but an example for youth.

“What gives me the thrill is the fact that I can influence a lot of young people,” he said. “My dream now is to influence them to look after their bodies. We’re riddled with it, obesity. This is a concern to me. I want to see the young people look after their bodies. It’s a natural thing that I would like to leave a legacy, as far as young people are concerned.”

He certainly inspires me. Watching him play, I know that there are a LOT of good years of golf (and life) ahead of me.

You can read more about his appearance here.

ESPN columnist Bob Harig has a collection of the Masters memories of past Champions, including Sandy Lyle, Ben Crenshaw, Bernhard Langer, Mark O’Meara, Gary Player, Craig Stadler, Tom Watson, Ian Woosnam and Fuzzy Zoeller. It’s a nice collection because—aside from Player and Watson—these are not the ones typically interviewed about Augusta.

Stadler’s comments:

Craig Stadler led by six shots with nine holes to play in 1992, but fell into a tie with Dan Pohl, forcing a sudden-death playoff, which Stadler won with a par at the 10th hole, the first extra hole.

“Three-putting 18 stands out, if you really want to know. To fall back into the playoff. I hit two good shots to about 40 feet with a 4-iron. I thought I hit a pretty good first putt and left it 8 feet short. And hit a good second putt. So there you go. We went right to the playoff. Unfortunately, he returned the favor by three-putting 10. It worked out. Obviously, it would have been nice to stand there on 18 with my arms up after having made the putt. But that’s OK. I haven’t lost sleep over it.”

It’s no surprise that the oddsmakers at Bodog Life have Tiger Woods as the odd-on favorite to win the Masters at an astounding 1/1. No surprise either that Phil Mickelson clocks in second at 9/1.

The GolfBlogger’s favorite, however, is Vijay Singh. Bodog has him coming in at 22/1, but I like the way he’s retooled his swing and his putting seems to be more solid as of late.

Read the rest of the post to see the complete odds for the Masters, provided courtesy of Bodog.Com, the world’s largest online sports betting destination.

Another reason I’m glad I ditched Comcast and went to Direct TV: the satellite channel will offer “enhanced” Masters coverage this year:

The centerpiece of DIRECTV’s coverage of the Tournament will be the Masters Mix Channel, offering viewers a unique window on the fabled Augusta course with access to four different views on one screen, including a view dedicated to covering the famed “Amen Corner,” another focusing on critical finishing holes 15 and 16, a continuously updated highlight channel showcasing Tournament leaders and their scores, and the CBS national broadcast.

Viewers will also be able to access scores and stats, a top five leader board, Masters trivia and Tournament history by clicking on a small menu icon that appears on each channel.

There’s more, too, on two separate channels. It sounds really cool.

Here’s a swing analysis of 2007 Masters Champion Zach Johnson. His extension through the swing is just amazing.

Zach Johnson is, understandably, quite the hero in Iowa. For a perspective from that state, read The DesMoines Register’s article on what’s next for the Masters winner.