[M. Shea Sweeney]

 Ive played Sawgrass 3 times and  pared 17 everytime. I did not have one of those round destroying experiences.

With that said the past week I have been pretty sour on the 17th. Pretty much the same thoughts as some have already expressed about the hole. Gimmicky, lack of strategy, etc.

However, I think one must keep an open mind with 17. What makes 17 so much different than the "postage stamp", the 7th at Shinnecock, hell I played national today and the redan ruined my round because I missed short and left.

I think we can come up with plenty of holes on great golf courses that with one wary shot your round can be "destroyed".  So I say don't be so quick to flame the hole if your not ready to flame several holes on golf courses that we consider "great".

[Jonathan Cummings]

Mike - I love Sawgrass and the finsihing series.  I've play TPC many times and have always found it's good golf from both a playing and viewing standpoint.

I think the PGA screwed up yesterday starting their playoff on 17 NOT because it's a controverial/gimmecky/all-or-nothing hole, but because any par 3 is a lousy hole on which to decide a match.  A par 4 or 5 is much better because heroic recoveries, risky attempts, defensive plays are all possible for a par 4 and 5 but not with a par 3.  I would have started the playoff at 16.

JC

[Wayne_Freedman]

I've never played it, but remember the Bobby Jones quote about the most difficult real estate being the inches between your ears.

By that definition, 17 is a fine hole. Just look at the problems posed by what should be an otherwise simple shot. 

[Jordan Wall]

Mr. Sweeney,

I think any hole which generates this much back and forth discussion must be some sort of good hole.  I personally love it.

Cheers,
Jordan

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