The BWD Tournament Hole of the Week: September 1 – 4, 2017. The 12th at TPC Boston, Home of Dell Technologies Championship.

Tournament: Dell Technologies Championship – TPC Boston, Norton, MA
Hole: 12th – Par 4, 510 Yards
Architect: Arnold Palmer – 2001
Gil Hanse (redesign) – 2007
Player Consultant: Brad Faxon – 2007

Architectural Summary:
TPC Boston’s twelfth hole is a risk-reward par four measuring 510 yards. The dogleg left hole underwent recent renovations which lengthened the par four by 49 yards and added strategic bunkering to the previously only unbunkered hole on the course. From the tee, competitors will hit driver or 3 wood to the split level fairway which is separated by a rough area jutting into the fairway from 325 to 350 yards from the tee. The fairway is rather generous, measuring over 50 yards wide, at the first landing area where a fairway bunker is located on the left at 260 yards and a “Principal’s Nose” bunker complex is located at roughly 300 yards. Beyond the rough area separating the fairways, the playing area necks down to 18 yards. Competitors will look to find the left portion of the first landing area from the tee to achieve the optimal angle of approach and leave a mid to short iron up to the green. The green, which was moved back in the recent renovation away from the wetland hazard, measures 30 yards deep by 21 yards wide and features subtle undulations throughout. A single large greenside bunker guards the front right portion of the putting surface.

Statistical Analysis:

During the 2016 tournament, the twelfth hole played to a scoring average of 3.97 (64 Birdies, 229 Pars, 35 Bogeys, 9 Doubles, and 1 “Other”.) Following the 2017 renovation, we expect the hole to play slightly above par due to its increased length and the addition of several hazards.

Fun Facts:

  • This year marks the 15th PGA Tour tournament at TPC Boston over the Labor Day weekend. The course 40 miles outside of Boston has hosted the second leg of the FedExCup playoffs since the season ending series was started during the 2006-2007 season.
  • 2016 tournament champion Rory McIlroy saw a number of highs and lows on the 12th hole, scoring two birdies as well as a double bogey and a triple bogey en route to his victory.
  • Prior to the opening of TPC Boston in 2001, the course site was used as a gravel mine as well as for charcoal production used in the jewelry, brick, and iron industries.