Countdown: My 2nd Favorite Hole At Augusta National

Riggs4/05/2018 5:03 PM

Welcome

Countdown time! The Masters has begun so we’re incredibly close to reaching the finale of our countdown of my favorite holes at Augusta National. Not a math guy but according to my calculations, we should wrap this thing up on Friday. Perfect timing.

18 holes. 18 days. Here’s my 2nd favorite.

12th hole, 155 yards, par 3– Golden Bell

The 12th at Augusta is probably the most famous par 3 in the world. With Rae’s Creek in front, the hourglass green sandwiched between the bunkers, and the impossibly tall Georgia pines behind, it’s as beautiful and recognizable a scene as you can find in golf. Perhaps in the world.

It’s got a rare risk/reward element for a par 3. When the pin’s right, the traditional Sunday location, firing at it can leave a short, flat putt, but is a longer carry that brings the creek into play. Firing at the center is safer, but that section of the green is skinnier. Front left pins are always gettable, and we’ll see one up there for sure.

Today it’s right in the middle. It’ll yield some birdies.

The hole hasn’t changed a ton since 1934. The bunkers were skinnier and the creek was less dramatic, but really it’s played pretty similarly for 80+ years.

Here’s a look at it near its original form.

Here it is in 1961.

Later in the 60s.

And here it is nowadays.

Right in the heart of Amen Corner, the 12th has proven pivotal many, many, many times. Most infamously in most peoples’ brains today is Jordan Spieth.

Greg Norman.

Conversely, Freddie Couples got a rare fortunate break here. He hit one that probably should’ve gone in the water, but held up en route to his first and only Masters win.

Phil Mickelson was 3 shots back of Ernie Els while walking across the Hogan Bridge while chasing his first major championship in 2004. He’d birdie 12 to kickstart a blazing hot closing stretch and earn his first green jacket.