Nick Faldo's Guide to Amen Corner

In late April 1958, legendary golf writer Herbert Warren Wind was looking for a catchy phrase to describe the three holes at Augusta National Golf Club – 11, 12 and 13 – that provided the most drama and excitement during the Masters of that year. Baseball had “Hot Corner”, while American Football had “Coffin Corner” – what could the golfing equivalent be? His answer: Amen Corner. Fast forward to 2012 and these three holes are still just as thrilling as they were 50 years ago. Three-time Masters champion Nick Faldo guides us around arguably the most famous acreage of terrain in the game.

 

Golden Bell

No. 12
155 yards
Par-3

Golden BellIt 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 12th.

Historical Stroke Average: 3.30
Historical Rank: 2

"Trusting your yardage – and yourself – is never more important than at the 12th."

Pages

Click here to see the published article.