US Masters In-play Guide: Trading tips, hole by hole

Hole 1: Tea Olive
445 yard par-four 
2012 ranking: Hardest

Augusta starts with a very tough hole, so it makes little sense carrying too much risk on a player until they've safely negotiated it. This ranked as the hardest hole last year, so everyone should be happy with a solid par. 

Hole 2: Pink Dogwood
575 yard par-five 
2012 ranking: 18th hardest

In complete contrast to the opening hole, this par-five rated the easiest last year and represents the ideal time to back your pick as there are plenty more opportunities looming. Par will be a backward step.

Hole 3: Flowering Peach
350 yard par-four 
2012 ranking: 14th hardest

Now it's time for a classic risk-reward affair that usually yields more birdies than any hole beside the par-fives. At just 350 yards, the third hole is well within range for the longest hitters, but the most rewarding approach tends to involve laying up short of the bunkers, leaving a full second shot with maximum control. A good birdie opportunity.

Hole 4: Flowering Crab Apple
240 yard par-three 
2012 ranking: 10th hardest

No short hole on a course like Augusta is going to be easy, but there will be plenty of birdies here too. Par, nevertheless, is a good score.

Hole 5: Magnolia

455 yard par-four 
2012 ranking: 8th hardest

Another mid-ranking hole. Finding the fairway bunkers will probably cost a bogey but an accurate tee shot sets up a birdie chance.

Hole 6: Juniper
180 yard par-three 
2012 ranking: 12th hardest

This is usually the least penal of Augusta's short holes so we're still in the section of the course where contenders are likelier to be moving forward, rather than back.

Hole 7: Pampas
450 yard par-four 
2012 ranking: 7th hardest

Tee-to-green accuracy is the order of the day here to obtain the best fairway lie and then avoid the greenside bunkers. Par is a good score on another tough hole.

Hole 8: Yellow Jasmine
570 yard par-five 
2012 ranking: 15th hardest

The final hole of the good early scoring stretch. In the last four Masters, this has been the hardest of Augusta's long holes but it always averages under par.

Hole 9: Carolina Cherry
460 yard par-four 
2012 ranking: 2nd hardest

We are now at the stage where it makes sense to lay back, or take all the risk out of earlier positions, because troubling is looming. The ninth ranked much harder than usual last year, faring the second toughest hole. That's unlikely to be the case again and we will see some birdies here, but anything other than a perfect second-shot can be unduly penalised, rolling backwards off a sloping green. 

Hole 10: Camellia
495 yard par-four 
2012 ranking: 4th hardest

Any player in the field will happily take level par over the next three holes, so you definitely want to be laying rather than backing them throughout this stretch. First up, the long par-four that derailed Rory McIlroy in 2011.

Hole 11: White Dogwood
505 yard par-four 
2012 ranking: 4th hardest

The first stopping point of Amen Corner ranked fourth last year, but is more often regarded as the toughest hole on the course. A long second shot must clear the pond guarding the front-left of this green, so players often take the safer option of bailing out right, leaving a tough scramble for par. Birdies here are like gold-dust, and par always an excellent score.

Hole 12: Golden Bell
155 yard par-three 
2012 ranking: 13th hardest

This short hole is just a flick with a wedge but no picnic by any means. Numerous challenges have folded here over the years. If the player you're following safely finds the green, this is the ideal time to switch direction and become a backer once again. Plenty of birdies are made on this green and the easiest stretch of the course awaits.

Hole 13: Azalea
510 yard par-five 
2012 ranking: 16th hardest

With three good birdie chances on the run ahead, the 13th is a time to be backing, rather than laying, players. This is one of the great long holes in tournament golf, which always produces plenty of eagles as well as threatening ruin for players finding Rae's Creek if their second shot comes up short. 

Hole 14: Chinese Fir
440 yard par-four 
2012 ranking: 9th hardest

This played harder than usual last year but remains one of the better birdie chances due to the lack of penal bunkers. As always though, a pinpoint iron approach is essential.

Hole 15: Firethorn
530 yard par-five 
2012 ranking: 17th hardest

Arguably the most exciting and pivotal hole on the course. This green is usually within range and will yield plenty of eagles, but the second shot requires perfect precision to clear the water and hold the green. Those hitting it long will face a devilish eagle chip downhill towards the water.

Hole 16: Redbud
170 yard par-three 
2012 ranking: 11th hardest

Another pivotal hole down the stretch and, increasingly, a birdie chance. The final day pin position offers a genuine hole-in-one chance but anything past or left of the pin leaves a brutal putt or chip.

Hole 17: Nandina
440 yard par-four 
2012 ranking: 6th hardest

The best scoring chances have now gone so it's mostly about protecting your score from here. The 17th didn't use to be that difficult but ranked second hardest in 2011 and played tough again last year. At this stage, it makes sense to lay or take the risk out of players you've already backed. Check the earlier scores that day on this hole first though, because depending on the pin position it can play quite easy. 

Hole 18: Holly 
465 yard par-four
2012 ranking: 3rd hardest

Again, this is not a tee-shot where you want to be carrying too much risk, as the bunkers down the left always snare a few victims. From there, a double-bogey becomes a real possibility. The best betting ploy at this late stage is to back the clubhouse leaders, in expectation of other contenders dropping shots on these last couple of holes.