Hole of the day: No. 12 Golden Bell
Web posted
Sunday, April 10, 2005
The question can be asked: Is this the most famous par-3 in the world?
Certainly, there are other great holes: No. 16 at Augusta National Golf Club; No. 17 at TPC at Sawgrass; No. 7 at Pebble Beach; and No. 8 at Royal Troon, the Postage Stamp.
But few holes are as dangerous, yet as beautiful, as the center of Amen Corner.
"I think it's one of the best holes I've ever played," said Charles Coody, the 1971 Masters champion. "It's not a long hole, but it's one of the toughest. That proves you don't have to lengthen holes to make them tough."
The 155-yard hole is the shortest on the course. It is not the easiest, though. It ranks second-toughest among the holes in Masters Tournament history, playing to a 3.30 average.
The trouble with No. 12 lies with the hazards. A shot too long can find one of the two bunkers beyond the green. An approach too short will flirt with the kidney-shaped bunker - if the ball flies over Rae's Creek. Any shot short of the green most likely will hit the bank and roll back in the water. Unless you're Fred Couples.
In 1992, Couples landed his tee shot short of the green in the final round. His ball hit the bank and rolled back toward the water, but miraculously stopped a foot short.
From there, he got up and down for par and went on to win the green jacket by two shots.
Windy conditions also can throw a wrench into golfers' strategies. Especially if the pin sits on the right shelf - its traditional Sunday placement - and there's a crosswind.
"Sometimes, you'll see the flag on 11 blowing right," Coody said. "Then you see the flag on 12 blowing left."
Last year, Phil Mickelson kick-started his final round by hitting an aggressive shot to the pin and making birdie. It marked the first of five birdies on the back nine as he went on to win his first major by one shot.
FANS' VIEW
Russ Spickerd, of Hoopeston, Ill., has been coming to the Masters every year since 1970. This is his 36th time in Augusta.
He said benign days present a boring No. 12. But the wind changes everything.
"When it's a quiet day, it's not quite the challenge," he said. "It's not an easy hole, especially with the wind. You get that crosswind, and it can really tear it up."
Richard Canino, of Sandusky, Ohio, is making his 10th Masters visit. He said the best vantage point on the course might be behind the No. 12 tee.
Last year in the final round, he watched Ernie Els eagle the par-5 13th from there just before Mickelson made birdie on No. 12.
"I think I'm in the best spot," Canino said.
WORKER'S VIEW
A worker said seeing No. 12 in person reveals features of the hole that are not so apparent on television.
"You don't see the beauty," the worker said, "until you get out here."
