Ok. We have a pretty learned group here. Is the 12th at TPC Boston a great hole, a good hole, a so-so hole or a bad hole?
We have a central hazard forcing a choice. So far so good, right?
The short bunker on the left seems pretty irrelevant to the pros because they can carry it with almost anything to land in a rectangle short of the central bunker at the end of the fairway that seems to be about 45 yards wide and 40 yards long.
You are telling me the pros can't hit the ball into the rectangle every single time, which forces (gasp!) a 4-6 iron approach??
If they want to get closer, yes, they can run out of real estate down the left side. Is it a tenet of "good' design that they should be able to hit a straight drive an endless distance?
If they choose to go left of that central hazard, the fairway appears to be 20-25 yards wide, which seems ample for players of their ability taking a risk to get the reward of the shortest possible approach.
I think a tree that blocks the view of the 13th fairway is probably in order for sure to prevent players taking that line.
I haven't played it or walked or (or even seen it on TV), but I don't see anything here that doesn't make some sense architecturally.
Would love to hear other specific opinions about what this hole gets right or wrong.