GOLF
What is Amen Corner at Augusta National? The Masters’ 11th, 12th and 13th holes
The start of the back nine can make or break players’ rounds and tournaments, as Jordan Spieth in particular has found out the hard way.
Over the years we’ve seen some great shots at the iconic 11th, 12th and 13th holes in the Masters at Augusta National, played by some of the best golfers in the world. Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods and Bubba Watson come to mind when thinking about some of the most memorable plays into no. 13, for instance. But, when it comes to rounds being ruined, all golf fans immediately think of Jordan Spieth’s shots into the water on no. 12 in 2016 and 2017. Let’s take a look at these holes and where the name ‘Amen Corner’ comes from.
Who named holes 11, 12 and 13 ‘Amen Corner’?
History has it that in 1958 sportswriter Herbert Warren Wind was inspired by a jazz song called “Shoutin’ in that Amen Corner” when asked about where his inspiration came from. The Sports Illustrated journalist penned the term in an article, “At the farthest reach of the Augusta National course-down in the Amen Corner where Rae’s Creek intersects the 13th fairway near the tee, then parallels the front edge of the green on the short 12th and finally swirls alongside the 11th green.”
The 11th hole: ‘White Dogwood’
This par-4 is 520 yards long and is the first of three at Amen Corner. The wind often comes into play and the tee shot is downhill and left to right. The green is guarded by a pond on the left and a bunker is placed right center to make things even more complicated.
Larry Mize’s miraculous chip-in to defeat Greg Norman in a playoff in the 1987 Masters took place on this hole.
The hole can cause some frustration to even the most seasoned golfers on tour, although Tiger pulled off this sensational escape from the trees back in 2010.
The 12th hole: ‘Golden Bell’
This is one of the most famous golf holes in the world thanks to its picturesque setting. But, don’t let Augusta National’s shortest par three fool you. Ask Jordan Spieth, choosing the right club and hitting it solid is tough due to varying winds, which can make players choose between three or four different clubs. Nobody wants to go into Rae’s Creek at the front of the green, but flying the hole can cause problems too with a daunting chip back on to the putting surface. One of the most Instagrammable places on the course is where golfers walk across the Ben Hogan Bridge to reach the green.
The 13th hole: ‘Azalea’
This par-5, 545-dogleg left hole is the last one at Amen corner. Players can reach it in two, but have to hit a perfect teeshot and an even better second shot into agree that is protected by a stream in front of the raised green and bunkers behind it.
It’s another hole that has made and broken players’ rounds at the Masters and has provided fans with many memorable moments. In 2023, the hole was lengthened by 35 yards, which really challenged players to make some tough decisions.
Most golf fans will be familiar with the back nine at Augusta, which has decided the fate, for good and for bad, of so many over the years. Navigating Amen Corner as safely as possible will surely be vital for the aspiring winner in 2024, as has been the case since the very first Masters.