Banff Springs Hole #12

Banff Springs Hole #12 "Big Bow" 442-yard Par4 Handicap 8

One of the game’sgreat two shotters, the flag is visible from the tee and lures the golfer toward in that direction, i.e. the shortest route home. Any slight push on that line and the golfer will have tree trouble on his second. The green is angled to better receive shots from the left center of the fairway and with a deep bunker left and the Bow River right, requires the most exacting approach shot on the course.

Thompson's diagonal bunker that slashes into the fairway 180 yards from the tee breaks up the relatively flat landscape and helps lend the hole great visual interest. The bunker in the distance is 280 yards from the tee and the green opens up from near there.

A recovery shot from the left greenside bunker is a ticklish one, as the green is narrow and the Bow River is right behind.

As seen from behind the twelfth, with the Bow River a few paces off the right of the green and the deep bunker left, only the truly brave - or foolish - do anything other than aim for the front middle of the green.

Banff Springs GC:

Amazingly, this course (the original 18) was built in 1928, using mules and wagons, but it could not be more contemporary. The back of some of the sand hazards are sculpted to match the mountains in the background. How cool is that. You should be prepared to let the elk play through, as they freely roam the property. You should also be prepared to see their little hoofprints on the greens. I've played The Old Course at St. Andrews, and Pinehurst #2 among many fine other courses, and The Stanley Thompson 18 is as memorable. You'll never forget his one. I try to get up there every other year or so, and play this old friend. The old number 8 defies description. The last five holes when the wind is howling at 20 - 30 MPH were as good a test as you could get.

Banff - Things to Do:

Bow Falls - This is a nice place to stop off to hang out for about half an hour or less. Its shortly before the Banff Springs Hotel. Its a rocky beach-like terrain aside the bow river. I actually didn't mean to go to Bow Falls, but I meant to find a place to sit down and eat and I happened to fall upon this place that I heard about. I took a throw mat, my food and some tea and sat down against a rock and enjoyed the scenery. (I think people saw me and envied me for the idea). It is very rocky, so its not very comfortable to sit down unless you're going to take something to sit down on. The parking lot is right there, so bring as many supplies as you like!....Elk roaming around there up close…. This is an excellent excursion as it is only about 5 minutes drive from Banff town, close enough for many people to walk. No entry fee.

Directions: Travel along Banff Ave, cross the Bow River Bridge and immediately turn left and continue along Glenn Ave till you reach the Banff Springs Hotel, the falls are past the hotel.