“Golden Bell”
No. 12 155 yards Par-3 It is the shortest hole on the course but you have to be so precise because of the angle of the green. If the pin is on the left then it is probably only around 135 yards, but if you pull it then you are in the flowerbeds and goodness knows what. If the pin is cut in the centre it brings in the front bunker, and the depth of the green there is only a matter of yards. There is really only about an eight-foot circle when you can land it. When the flag is on the right, where it normally is on the final day, the water [Rae’s Creek] is more of a factor. The back bunkers is definitely not the place to be either; you have to be so delicate just to keep it on the green from there. What compounds everything is the infamous Amen Corner wind. If it is swirling then club selection is so much harder. Downwind – the ball just seems to carry forever, like it is on some kind of jet stream. If it is blowing in your face then you have to try and take the spin off the ball and make sure it does not balloon on you. Trusting your yardage – and yourself – is never more important than at the twelfth.
Historical Stroke Average: 3.30 Historical Rank: 2
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