Which is more difficult, 12th at Augusta or 17th at TPC?

[Dabbler]

Having never been to either course, I'm interested to know what those who've been to both think. Gary Player says the 12th at Augusta is the most difficult par 3 in the world. Maybe also because of the pressure on the final Sunday.

[brightonrock]

12 @ Augusta has to be harder. It's the swirling wind you can't detect above the trees, the bunker short and long, has to be a precise shot but can be a 2-club difference depending on the breeze. 17 @ TPC is by no means a walk in the park and I haven't had the fortune to play it, but I've had a go at quite a few lesser known island greens from 120 to 190 yards, and not found to them to be particularly difficult.

[uttexas]

I've played replicas of both holes at Tour 18 in Flower Mound, TX

In equal conditions (no wind, pin in the middle, greens somewhat damp and receptive) the 12th at Augusta is more difficult for the average golfer.  For a high handicap golfer, I'd say the 17th at Sawgrass is more difficult.

No. 12 at Augusta National 155yds--pga pro historical scoring avg 3.3  Historically, the second hardest hole on the course (no. 10 Camelia is historically the most difficult at Augusta)

No. 17 at Sawgrass 137 yards--pga pro historical scoring avg 3.112.  Historically, the fourth hardest hole on the course (no. 18 is the most difficult at Sawgrass)

[VOX]

I have played both holes. I am one under on #12 at Augusta (played it twice) and two over on #17 at Sawgrass (only played it once). I know it isn't a statistically significant sample, but ...

[Whiskey84]

I think #12 at Augusta is the more difficult hole, but #17 at Sawgrass is the more visually intimidating hole...

[Dabbler]

Thanks for the responses all. It reads as though 12th Augusta (even with the few replies so far) will come out as the harder. I didn't appreciate the wind factor either because it would be more obvious at TPC and deceptive at Augusta.

[NEOHMark]

I gotta think Augusta #12 is harder as there is much less margin for error in terms of distance.  The TPC 17th green is fairly long - front to back - so I'd think it's more of the mental intimidation of the water than it being truly a harder hole.

[turtleback]

I think #12 is harder to birdie.  I think 17 is easier to get a 9 on.  I think that skews the hole averages.

But I don't recall any pin positions on #12 where balls landing in a fairly decent sized area roll down to near birdie range as on #17.

[clubchamp]

Neither are easy but #12 at Augusta is a much more difficult hole than #17 at sawgrass.

[ochmude]

I agree with others that #17 at Sawgrass is a mental challenge.  Replace all the water with rough and it's a pretty generic par 3 with a green that is not exceptionally difficult to hit for a tour pro.  A miss is will obviously penalize you more, but it's a more generous target, especially if you play a percentage shot.  Golden Bell's green has much less depth and a much smaller margin for error.  Even the percentage shots can be difficult to pull off.

[saevel25]

I would say number 12 is harder hole, i think the green is tougher to putt on number 12 than 17.

[jamo]

I would have to say 12 is harder, mostly because the green is so much smaller.

[Elvisliveson]

The 17th at TPC is penal, but the 12th at Augusta is diabolical and gets my vote.