Hole of the Month - 17th Hole TPC Sawgrass

One of the most famous (infamous) holes in all of golf, the 17th at TPC Sawgrass strikes fear into the hearts of all, from the weekend hacker to the touring pro. The 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass' THE PLAYERS Stadium Course is iconic because of its island green. It's the course's shortest hole, and one of its most dramatic. Players make plenty of birdies there, but also are one swing away from a round-ruining double-bogey or worse

Technically the 17th hole on the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass, one of the most photographed and cursed short holes in all of golf, is a peninsula. There is no question through that the daily clash with the gentle yet terrifying hole can leave even the most elite golfers in the world feeling like they’re lost on an island, marooned in their thoughts of misery and ruin

During The Players Championship, the PGA Tour’s flagship event, the 17th hole lives in the minds of the players. Just 137 yards on the scorecard — a simple shot requiring a pitching wedge or 9-iron for most — the hole still gets the ticker thumping and the mind racing.
Situated in an amphitheater of fans and trees but exposed to winds that can whip up at the worst moments, the hole that is nearly surrounded by H2O is where some scorecards go to die.

In simple terms, there is no bailout, nowhere to hide.
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Interestingly, one of the most famous holes in the world of golf was actually designed by complete accident. The plan for the hole was originally meant to have the lake only partially surrounding the green, but as a result of construction creating a large carter, an island green was suggested. The idea came from course designer Pete Dye’s wife, Alice. Dye was sceptical about the idea at first but went ahead with it and thus one of the games iconic holes was born.

A few fun facts about this iconic hole:
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• One hundred and twenty thousand - Yes, that is the number of balls that the water is thought to claim every year. Staggering. Divers reportedly search for golf balls four times each year – during January, April, July and October – and it’s said that they are paid seven cents for each one that they retrieve.

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• The highest score ever made at No. 17 is a 12 by Bob Tway in 2005.
• There have been eight aces with the most recent being Sergio Garcia's in 2017.
• The scoring average has only been under par one time since 1997 when it was 2.99 in 2014.
• Adam Scott has the most birdies on No. 17 since 2003 with 15. Two European Ryder Cup players -- Martin Kaymer and Sergio Garcia -- both have 13. 
• On the flip side, Aaron Baddeley -- has the most balls in the water since 2003 with 13. Phil Mickelson and Bob Tway have nine a piece.
• Only two golfers have ever birdied No. 17 in all four rounds. Kyle Stanley in 2017 and Paul Azinger in 1987.
• A 60-foot putt? It’s better than most…Technically, Bernhard Langer’s 59 feet and nine inches effort in 2008 is the longest putt made at the 17th. This is because, under official PGA rules, Tiger Woods’ famous 60-foot putt in 2001 was made from the fringe, so it doesn’t count as a putt. However, it would be unjust not to mention Woods’ phenomenal effort, which propelled him to victory in 2001. Gary Koch’s famous ‘better than most’ commentary is still repeated to this day.
• Maybe the most hilarious shot in the history of the 17th is the hole out Fred Couples made for par at the 1999 Players after hitting his first in the water.

Step up to the tee, take a deep breath and commit to the shot. Maybe you can conquer this short little par 3 and make memories for life!!

If you would like to travel to this, or any other great golf hole of the world, contact the Golf Away Team and we will be happy to make the dream come true.