Bill...
I totally agree with you on 9. Great hole. Every shot has interest.
On 17, I think our discussion on the course really hit home on some good points. I've heard people who've played East Lake before the fairly recent rennovations say that it was a better hole before. I think the green was more right...kind of where the tee box for 18 is now and the fairway was more right. Maybe that made for a better hole, but here is the kicker in my opinion...
Where the hole is placed on the course, that is the penultimate hole, makes its danger all the more intriguing. Especially considering it is a Championship Course where the Tour Championship is decided. As you can see from the tee shot, that carry over the water into a slim fairway is not the easiest shot. And with the bunkers on the right, don't miss there either. Now let's factor in the new tee box which might be in play for this years Tour Championship will make that carry from tee to clear the water 280.
Bill, as you mentioned playing up and to the right of those bunkers opens up the lane to the green and avoids a carry over that deep bunker, which engulfs the entire front of the green, into a green that is usually rock hard where the back fringe quickly drops right off into the water. But if you choose to play that angle and avoid the bunker carry, beware the flyer out of the rough. Right? You will be wet, no doubt about it.
But playing down the fairway still leaves you that bunker carry to the rock hard green with water behind it.
Pick your poison.
Now, is this a good hole? Frankly, it is debateable. But if the Tour Championship (or the match you are playing on any given day) is on the line coming down the stretch the routing of the holes will certainly put some interest on each and every shot...and this pressure won't end until the ball is in the cup on 18.
At least those are my thoughts.