Amen Corner: Golf’s most famous stretch of holes that plays a key role in deciding the Masters

The 12th hole at Augusta National is the most notorious part of Amen Corner.

Comprising a trio of treacherous holes, Amen Corner is one of the most sacred places in golf. The pros fear it and the fans love it for the exact same reason – it never fails to create drama.

“…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.”

Little did he know it at the time, but when the legendary golf writer Herbert Warren Wind wrote that following sentence in a 1958 issue of Sports Illustrated magazine, he unwittingly created one of the most iconic and enduring phrases in golf.

Wind claimed at the time that he had long been searching for a monicker that would appropriately describe the treacherous three-hole stretch tucked in at the far end of the Augusta National estate. Wind had considered a number of phrases that incorporated the word ‘corner’ but none felt quite right. “Amen Corner” was just perfect. Not only did it align nicely with one of the most frequently cited descriptions of Augusta National as a “cathedral in the pines”, it hinted at the golfer’s need for a little hope, faith and divine inspiration in successfully navigating the trio of holes.

Although Wind claimed that he’d been inspired by a jazz song he’d listened to while studying at Yale called “Shouting at Amen Corner” by Mezz Mezzrow, later research showed that he’d misremembered the name. The song in question was actually “Shoutin’ in that Amen Corner” by Mildred Bailey.

While many use it as a blanket term for the 11th, 12th and 13th holes, Amen Corner actually starts with the approach into the 11th green and concludes with the tee shot at the par-5 13th, at which point the mentally weary golfer is redirected back out into the heart of the golf course.

In addition to its propensity to deliver excitement year after year, what makes Amen Corner so special are the open vistas. From the 11th fairway, one can glance right and watch the group ahead tee off on 12 and peer into the distance to see golfers walk off the 13th tee. It’s an open amphitheater where the drama plays out right in front of you. 

The 11th hole: White Dogwood – Par 4, 505 yards 

Arguably the toughest approach shot on the course due to the pond and sharp slopes in front of the green.

The 12th hole: Golden Bell – Par 3, 155 yards 

A standard 9-iron for the top players under normal circumstances, but the swirling winds mess with the mind.

The 13th hole: Azalea – Par 5, 510 yards 

The ultimate strategic par 5 where the tee shot is everything. Rae’s Creek lurks menacingly and snaps up anything underhit.

Amen Corner’s famous bridges

The two bridges that traverse Rae’s Creek at Amen Corner each commemorate an important player and moment in Masters history.

Ben Hogan’s bridge, which leads to the left side of the 12th green, pays tribute to his record-low score of 274 in 1953, while Nelson bridge, which crosses the creek in front of the 13th tee, honors Byron Nelson’s 1937 win.