Smylie Explains Royal Birkdale's Revamped 12th Hole & Design

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Challenging Changes to the 12th Hole

The 12th hole, a par 3 playing at 186 yards, has seen significant alterations, particularly around its green. Previously equipped with four bunkers in a square layout, two on the left have been removed and replaced with a tightly mown runoff area. Additionally, a large dune behind the green has been eliminated, according to Tom McKenzie, with changes aimed primarily at enhancing playability for club members. These modifications have shifted the hole's defense predominantly to the right side of the green, positing a potentially tougher recovery from the runoff area compared to a bunker.

Golf professional Padraig Harrington describes the 12th as the most exposed hole on the course, where crosswinds frequently influence club selection, making it a demanding challenge on a typical links day. Moreover, Smylie Kaufman offers insights into strategy, indicating a preference for playing shorter to the front of the green to avoid the difficulty in holding the green in downwind conditions. He suggests that anything beyond 10 yards into the green is risky, as the breeze makes it hard to stop the ball, thus intensifying the challenge of a back pin position. According to Kaufman, while a shot long might traditionally lead to a bogey, achieving a par from beyond the green would be an impressive feat under these conditions.