17th at the TPC

[USER1999]

I was watching the golf channel last night, and they were looking at their top 10 most intimidating golf holes. NOw this hole came in at number one.

One of the ments made was this:

There are roughly 40k rounds played at Sawgrass each year, and they pull 170k golf balls out of the lake each year.

That means the average player hits 4.25 balls in the lake. Now given that someone must hit th green every now and then, some people must be putting in 6 or 7 balls.

It is only 135 yards, how hard can it be?

If you played it, would you continue knobbing balls into the pond til you got one on the green?

 

[john0]

What they failed to say is that after pulling 170k balls out of the lake, they then shot the 150k Top-flites, Ultras, Pinnacles etc back in. Cant see most people using the best ProV's on that hole

 

[freddielong]

The crazy thing is its all in your head, if there was no water there, 135 yrds par 3 flat should be fairly straight forward the green is big enough.

I guess as well though they get a lot of corporate golfers who only play once a year, who possibly empty the ball pocket into the water

 

[Smiffy]

That means the average player hits 4.25 balls in the lake.

The .25 of a ball I can understand 'cos that would wobble through the air a bit.
But the other 4?

There must be some right old hackers playing that course

 

[w1ndw1ll]

Played it on the playstation, piece of cake, haven't lost 1 ball!

 

[Imurg]

I would have thought you'd need a decent ball to get it to stop. Lets face it, you can't be long. It needs a hit'n'sit shot.
As I'd be playing stableford round Sawgrass I'd dunk 2 and walk it. Unless the 2 had been duffs then I'd have another go.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I agree that it's mental but standing there must be intimidating. Not that much to aim at but I am guessing Mr Corporate Golfer and Mr once in a Blue Moon country member are responsible for the majority. I'm sure any GM forummers lucky enough to play it would uphold the quality of UK and Irish golf (and not forgetting our European friends on here) and hit it first time

 

[Marko77]

All the commentators describe it as being a very large green.

It does appear small(ish) on the tv.

It must just be pure nerves as it is one of those holes that can make a pro look like a haddy in front of millions.

For regular folks like us I can see why some would pump 4 or 5 balls into the water. Your not going to play that course and leave without putting one on the green. "what did you score on 17?" 10, 9 off the tee and sunk the putt

 

[EaseNgrace]

At the range I use there is an exact replica of the 17th green at Sawgrass, On a calm day I can hit 50 balls in a row onto the island green. In the wind it's hard to do 2, if there was a lake around it aswell it would be a really daunting shot.

 

[daymond]

My son in law played it two weeks ago. 3ft from the pin: one putt: birdie; and it was his one and only shot. Well done Wayne.
He plays off 8

 

[JustOne]

My son in law played it two weeks ago. 3ft from the pin: one putt: birdie; and it was his one and only shot. Well done Wayne.
He plays off 8

That's the kind of guy that deserves to be sleeping with your daughter

Well done Wayne!

 

[muttleee]

There are roughly 40k rounds played at Sawgrass each year, and they pull 170k golf balls out of the lake each year.

Are all the balls from the 17th? Don't the 16th and 18th run alongside the same lake?

 

[USER1999]

The lake is pretty small, and my guess is if you are really wild you would miss it. It is also only about 3ft deep, so easy to empty.

 

[funkyfred]

Are all the balls from the 17th? Don't the 16th and 18th run alongside the same lake?

[/QUOTE]

The 16th runs in the opposite direction to the 17th with the lake on your right hand side, only a few balls actually go in the water on that side of the pond as most of the pros play to the green or the left hand side, I could imagine though that a few corporate guys will slice a few in from that side.
As for the 18th, that is another pond and not the same one as used for the 17th.

I think what really causes the problem on the 17th is the cross wind, normally left to right. Was it Fred Couples who dumped his first ball into the drink and then chipped in from the drop zone to register a par.

Also wasn't there a crocodile in the pond near the 17th green a couple of years ago?

 

[Ethan]

You get alligators in Florida, not crocs.

I wouldn't be surprised to see 1 ball per player average gets dunked, but 4.25 balls per person is hard to believe.

It is really not a good hole, in my opinion. Watchable and entertaining, just not very good. 10th at The Belfry is another watchable but not good (possibly even less good) hole.

 

[JJF69]

You get alligators in Florida, not crocs.

I wouldn't be surprised to see 1 ball per player average gets dunked, but 4.25 balls per person is hard to believe.

It is really not a good hole, in my opinion. Watchable and entertaining, just not very good. 10th at The Belfry is another watchable but not good (possibly even less good) hole.

Dude cmon! Both holes you mention are absolutely brilliant. 2 of the best and most recognisable holes in World golf. Holes like that, that want you to go and play a course.

 

[freddielong]

I think holes that appear easy but get you thinking are genius peices of design, I would say both the mentioned holes fall into that category

 

[Imurg]

I wonder if the 17th at Sawgrass has ever played downwind in a howling gale - now that would be an intimidating shot.

10th at the Belfry is an average hole at best to the top players. Unless they're chasing a score they won't go for the green off the tee, 6 iron it down the (generous!) fairway and wedge it on close enough to have a birdie chance. Its us hackers that try for the green and end up dunking it.

 

[Spinn77]

The 10th at athe Belfry isnt an easy hole, the green runs on the diagnal and there's the water in front and a few pot like bunkers running down the back. The further up the fairway you hit it the smaller the green appears. Not easy by any means.

Going for the green from the Tee takes a great shot, and laying up for the pro's makes it a good birdee chance. but its no certainty

 

[Imurg]

Never said it was easy - just average for the Tour Pro. They look on it as a par 3. If they make par they probably feel as they've dropped a shot.