Advertisement

Countdown: My 2nd Favorite Hole At Augusta National

GettyImages-488793457-11

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.

General view of the 12th hole

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.

Screen Shot 2018-04-05 at 12.34.13 PM

Here it is in 1961.

Augusta National Archive

Later in the 60s.

Augusta National Archive

And here it is nowadays.

The Masters - Round One

Masters 3rd Round

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.

The 12th is beautiful, strategic, tricky, fair, and absolutely critical during every Masters.

My 2nd favorite hole at Augusta = the 12th hole.

Also see:

My 18th favorite hole.

My 17th favorite hole.

My 16th favorite hole.

My 15th favorite hole.

My 14th favorite hole.

My 13th favorite hole.

My 12th favorite hole.

My 11th favorite hole.

My 10th favorite hole.

My 9th favorite hole.

My 8th favorite hole.

My 7th favorite hole.

My 6th favorite hole.

My 5th favorite hole.

My 4th favorite hole.

My 3rd favorite hole.