The 12th at TOC

[BCrosby]

Some of the old hands at GCA may recall a thing called a TEP Value -  the mathematical correlative of the now incredibly famous TEP Conjecture. It is basically a measurement of the spread of scores on a hole.

The reason that scoring spreads are worth looking at is based on the theory that great strategic holes offer choices. Golfers take on risks voluntarily if there is a potential of lower scores. The heart of the theory is TEP's insight that the more effective the temptations offered by the hole, the better it is strategically. Attractive risks, risks that actually tempt golfers, are preferrable to risks you merely avoid or ignore. (Trying to be as pretentious as possible, we have called that the TEP Conjecture. )

It follows from the TEP Conjecture that great strategic holes ought to have wide scoring spreads. The more widely AND evenly the spread of scoring, the more strategic the hole is. You want to see roughly similar numbers of under, even and over par scores. Such scoring implies (i) lots of golfers were tempted to take risks and (ii) some succeeded and some failed.

Looking briefly at the TEP Values at the Open, what jumps off the page is the scoring spreads on the 12th.

I had always thought it was a wonderful little par 4. But now, with everyone hitting it so far, it may be an even more strategic than it was previously. More people appear to be tempted to drive the green. The consequence is that more people are getting in big trouble off the tee, while others are left with easy chips or two putt birdies. The 12th caused some to fail ignominiously and some to succeed gloriously. Can't ask architecture to get any better than that.

The 12th at TOC ought to be seen as a much better hole than it usually is. If TEP Values are any guide, it played as one of the most interesting holes at the Open last week.

Bob

[Michael Moore]

My understanding is that TOC 12 has long been considered one of the great shortish holes in the world.

[BCrosby]

Michael -

The 12th is not usually grouped with the 11th, 14th, 16th and 17th as the greatest of the Old Course holes. It ought to join that lofty group.

If your readings suggest otherwise, you are reading more astute commentators than I am.

Bob

[Mark_Rowlinson]

Bob, I think if you talk to the locals they would always rate this hole highly.  Even from the members' tees at around 300 yards it is a great challenge because it asks you to nominate your tee shot and carry it out precisely.  Yes, it can be driven, but the margin for error is minimal and there is dreadful trouble awaiting the serious mishit.  For those of my lack of length we have to choose which side of the bunkers to try to steer our tee shot.  But, in the end, it all depends on where the hole is cut.  Even the 9th presented more of a spread than usual with almost everyone trying to drive the green and even Tiger had to lift out of the gorse on one occasion.  Some, but not many, of those who drove the 9th green got eagles - some three-putted for par.  It's a nothing hole to look at, but the fact that it is so open and tempting makes it rather a good hole.  The 8th is another bland looking hole which is far from as easy as it appears on TV.

[BCrosby]

Mark -

Interestingly, the 9th yielded more birdies than pars at The Open. The spread of scores was skewed pretty heavily towards the under par numbers there.

What is remarkable about the 12th is how (relatively) evenly balanced the spread of scores was between over, even and under par numbers. No other hole at TOC had anything like the same balance. Again, on a relative basis.

Other holes tended to be skewed to over par scores (see 2, 13, and 17) or to under par scores (see 5, 9 and 18) or to par scores (see 6, 8 and 10). In this reagard, the 12th was pretty unique and, based on the numbers, a true outlier.

Bob  

[Mike Hendren]

Bob,

Thank you for dedicating a thread to the 12th.  This hole is among my favorites notwithstanding the fact that it owns me lock, stock and barrel.  For those of us who cannot carry the driver a great distance, it is highly problematic, requiring incredible precision from the tee as Mark rightly points out.  There is simply no obvious place to drive the ball.  My caddies suggested a  fairway wood down the right-hand side.  First time charm.  Second time, a little thin into the pot just right of Stroke Bunker - jailed.  I liken the fairway to a piece of swiss cheese. The shelved green is pure delight to play into.

[BCrosby]

Bogey -

Yes. Agreed. Anyone who brings up the 10th at Riviera or the 5th at Cuscowilla or whatever and fails to mention the 12th at TOC as one of the greatest short par 4's, should be executed and have their organs sold at market prices and the proceeds used to publish better books on TOC.

Bob

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

Bob, Under that threat, I must agree with you. Actually I do feel most consider 12 to be the best or one of the best of the short par 4's there. I still like 11 and 16 better and will go along with 17. It is no shame to be the 4 to 6th best hole at TOC. I never really try to compare TOC holes with the rest of the world except for 11 because of the sheer uniqueness of them and the setting.  13 which is a very good hole in many eyes is my least enjoyable to play.

[James Bennett]

'Michael -

The 12th is not usually grouped with the 11th, 14th, 16th and 17th as the greatest of the Old Course holes. It ought to join that lofty group.

If your readings suggest otherwise, you are reading more astute commentators than I am.

Bob'

_________________

Jack Nicklaus's favourite 4 short par-4's in Championship Golf(circa 1980's) were

12 at St Andrews
10 at Riviera
7 at Augusta
11 at Merion (influenced in part as the hole where Bobby Jones completed his Grand Slam in the match-play final).

I think three of these holes have remained true to their design over the last decade.

[BCrosby]

I've always said that Nicklaus was under-appreciated here at GCA.

I disagree with his choice of the 7th at ANGC and the 11th at Merion as beng among the four best short par 4's at major venues. Heck, there are better short par fours at each of those courses. The 3rd is a much better short par 4 at ANGC and any of the 1st, the 7th and the 8th are better short par's 4 at Merion. IMHO, of course.

But, hey, to each his own.

Bob