We eliminated the obvious choice – Golden Bell, the slender par-3 that has been a watery grave for many Green Jacket hopes – although Collin Morikawa was quick to point out he never said that hole was scary.
Jon Rahm cleverly asked, “Does the walk to 12 count?” and Jim Furyk voted for the dreaded third shot at 12. Sorry, Collin, 12 is take-your-par-and-run scary and that’s a fact.
The votes have been tabulated and Nos. 1, 4, 5, 7, 11, 15 and 18 all have been tabbed as “scary.” Our favorite answer has to be Jack Nicklaus, who made it clear he wasn’t scared of any of them but then gave a master class on the six scary shots that must be handled to have success at Augusta National. A scary thought, indeed.
Here’s what the pros had to say about the scariest hole at Augusta National, and why it’s No. 11.
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Keegan Bradley
“Easily 11. It’s probably the hardest hole we play on Tour all year. It’s 500 yards, there’s water and you can’t bail out. Just as hard as they come.”
Keegan Bradley reacts after an errant tee shot on the 7th hole during the third round of The Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports)
Sam Burns
“The second shot at 15. You’re trying to take the water out of play but if you carry it just long it can go in the water.”
Corey Conners
“No. 11. The approach shot is really difficult.”
Corey Conners reacts to missing a putt on the 11th green during the second round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 09, 2021 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Harris English
“Five is the most underrated hole. They’ve lengthened it and it’s just a beast. Now, we’re hitting between 5- to 7-iron in there and that green is really tough. To me, that’s the hardest hole out there.”
Harris English talks with his caddy Eric Larson during the final round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2021 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Tony Finau
“I’m happy you said outside of 12 because that’s the one that gets us the most. Probably 11. Scared isn’t the word but it gets your attention. You have to hit two great shots to hit the green.”
Tony Finau plays his shot from the 11th fairway straw during the third round of The Masters golf tournament at Augusta National GC. (Photo: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports)
Matt Fitzpatrick
“The 11th. The second shot in particular.”
Matt Fitzpatrick plays his shot from the 11th tee during the first round of The Masters golf tournament. (Photo: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports)
Tommy Fleetwood
“I’ve always been nervous on the first tee and then probably the 11th.”
Jim Furyk
“If you happen to hit it in the water at 12, the drop is much tougher than the original shot. I’ll go with the third shot at 12.”
Jim Furyk tees off on the 12th hole during the second round of the 2013 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2013 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Max Homo
“The second shot on 11 is really hard. I don’t think people realize the elevation change. That’s a tough one. There’s also a wedge shot on 15 to the left pin and to the front right pin when it’s very firm if you have to lay up. It’s not that hard a shot but it’s a lot harder than I had given credit for before. If you mess it up, it’s very bad.”
Max Homa plays a shot on the 11th hole during a practice round prior to the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 05, 2021 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Billy Horschel
“The fourth. If you’re not in the right spot you’re going to be struggling for a couple.”
Billy Horschel follows his shot from the fourth tee during the second round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 08, 2022 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Viktor Hovland
“The back right pins and even the front pins at No. 4, there’s not much room to land it. It’s really hard.”
Viktor Hovland reacts to his shot from the fourth tee during the second round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 08, 2022 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Trevor Immelman
“Probably the 15th because you could make anything from 3-10 there. The volatility is what makes it so great.”
Trevor Immelman pitches to the 15th green during the third round of the 2008 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2008 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Kevin Kisner
“Four. It’s 240 into the wind and it feels like I’m never going to make a par.”
Kevin Kisner plays his shot from the fourth tee during the third round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 09, 2022 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Matt Kuchar
“The second and potentially third shot at 15 are some of the scariest shots in golf.”
Zach Johnson
“Eleven. It’s 500 yards and water is lurking even if you hit a good tee shot.”
Zach Johnson hits out of the woods on the 11th hole in 2007 during the second round of the Masters in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo: Jeff Haynes/AFP)
Collin Morikawa
“I never said 12 scares me. I’d say 11. I’ve played it so badly. I’m going to change that. I’m going to make some couples.”
Jack Nicklaus
“There isn’t any hole that scares me, but there’s about six shots at Augusta that you have to handle. The tee shot on No. 2, the second shot at 11, the tee shot at No. 12, the tee shot and second shot at 13, and the second shot at 15. Those are the six shots that are key to play well there.”
Jack Nicklaus hits a shot from the woods along the 2nd fairway during the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia on April 10, 1965.
Gary Player
“18 on Sunday. Too many tournaments have been lost on that hole, in particular, including me.”
Gary Player reacts after making a birdie on the 18th to win the 1978 Masters, making him a three-time winner of the Masters. (Photo: AP)
Jon Rahm
“Does the walk to 12 count? Maybe the fourth or fifth holes because of how difficult they are.”
Jon Rahm picks up his club after throwing it on the 12th fairway during the third round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports)
Xander Schauffele
“Any hole with water if the wind is blowing.”
Adam Scott
“No. 1. I think the first green is the hardest green on the golf course and it’s right out of the gate when you can’t feel your fingers or toes. It’s a lot to deal with.”
Adam Scott during a practice round ahead of the 2021 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports)
Jordan Spieth
“11, mainly the second shot. Five tee is a pretty scary spot now.”
Jordan Spieth and caddy Michael Greller walk up the 5th fairway during a practice round at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports)
Scott Stallings
“The fifth is a really hard hole.”
Kevin Streelman
“The tee shot on 4 is so difficult to the back right flag. It’s 240, downhill and you have about 5 yards to land it.”
Kevin Streelman on the fourth tee during the final round of the 2014 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 13, 2014 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Gary Woodland
“11 is just a brutal hole. It’s the most intimidating.”
Gary Woodland plays a shot on the 11th hole during the first round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on November 12, 2020 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Will Zalatoris
“I’d say the par-3 4th because it’s a beast.”
Will Zalatoris walks on the fourth hole during the third round of the Masters. (Photo: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports)
Story originally appeared on GolfWeek