The tee-box deception that makes Augusta National’s toughest shot even tougher

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Every player at the Masters knows the proper line at Augusta National’s par-3 12th is over the left half of the bunker, so why do so many find Rae’s Creek, especially on Sunday? Greed, wind and poor swings are three common reasons cited, but a deceptive tee box might play a larger role than many think.

There are two rectangular tee boxes on Golden Bell, sitting adjacent and running parallel to each other. This hasn’t always been the case. When the course was first designed by Alister MacKenzie and Bobby Jones in the 1930s, the hole had just one circular tee box, but a 1965 renovation created the look we see today.

MORE: A Comprehensive History Of Every Change Made To Augusta National Golf Club

On course view of the 12th hole from the tee box during the 1992 Masters Tournament.

Augusta National

In creating two boxes that run parallel to each other, they aim the golfer in different areas. As you can see in the image below, the left tee box is aimed over the left side of the bunker and at the exact middle of the green—the line many players opt for to every pin. However, take a look at the right tee box. Since it runs parallel, it aims players well to the right of the bunker, toward the traditional Sunday pin cut hard on the right side of the green.

Whether intentional or a consequence of an aesthetic decision, the deception remains. The concept of aiming tee boxes toward trouble (or, at least, less than ideal places), is something Gil Hanse wrote about in the Links Magazine. (Hanse did not design the new boxes at Augusta’s 12th but remains a leading authority on course architecture having designed and restored many of the country’s top courses.)

Hanse says he and his team often build “ribbon” tees, like those at Streamsong Black and Ohoopee Match Club, which gently wrap around the landscape. These contrast to the rectangular boxes at Augusta, but his takeaway lends insight into why architects might be OK with this deceptive alignment.

“One concern we have heard is that this type of tee does not aim the golfer down the line of play,” Hanse wrote. “But we do not feel it is our duty to point the golfer in the correct direction off the tee. Which is not to say we intentionally point a golfer in the wrong direction, just that we believe a subtle shift of the tee is not a bad thing. It also places the onus on the golfer to pay attention to how they set up as opposed to the architect putting up ‘guardrails.’ ”

Jamie Squire

If a player loses focus and simply aims down the line of the right tee box on 12, they will likely be aiming well right of their desired line. Pair that with a Sunday pin on the right side of the green and a little greed, and a decent shot that leaks just a little right will find the water. Take a look at Tiger Woods in the image above from 2015. Notice how his feet are aimed well left of where the tee box is aimed.

The Masters typically rotates between the two tee boxes. This week, the right tee box was used on Friday and based on recent years, it is expected to be used on Sunday as well, when the traditional hole location will be on the far right side of the green—a subtle strategic decision that forces players to take one more factor into consideration.