Deceptive Photographs - #17 at Sand Hills

[Tim Bert]

#17 at Sand Hills has to be one of the most photographed holes on the course.  Without fail, the view offered by these photos is similar to the one in this photo - Elevated, green fully in view, #18 in the distance, and room to miss left or right as long as the distance is accurate.



Imagine my surprise as I stepped up to the tee, and saw this image - slightly uphill shot to a skyline green that is barely visible, no sign of #18 existing, claustrophobic shot with little room for error.



While this hole is definitely more scenic from above, I think it is a better (and more challenging) golf hole from where the tee exists.  I'm just surprised that my first encounter with such a famous and frequently photographed hole was a completely different experience than expected.

What other famous or frequently photographed holes are only commonly seen at different elevations or angles (or both) than actually played?

[Adam Clayman]

Also the 17th, only at Pebble Beach.

It's obvious those that disparage this wonderful hole are letting thier expectations show.

[Patrick_Mucci]

Tim Bert,

The 17th hole is exponentially more challenging from the upper, abandoned tee.

[Jeff_Mingay]

Tim,

Pat beat me to it by a couple minutes... nonetheless, I recall there was/is a high tee, which presents the view illustrated in the upper photo you've posted. I, too, though prefer play from the low tee.

[Tim Bert]

There is still a flattish spot where the old tee was, but it is quite overgrown.  My first photo is from the dune above that old tee.

I can see how the extra distance, elevation, and wind could cause the hole to be a bit tougher from the top.  My comparison was intended with regards to my expectation of how the hole was going to play based on photos.  I thought the current back and middle tees were going to play the distance they are now, but from the angle that the old tee presented.  I also expected a downhill shot.

Patrick - do you think the hole would be more difficult than it is today if the distance were the same as the current tees, but the angle was moved left and the elevation was flipped?  Perhaps a tee placed partially up that hill behind the current front tee?

[Adam Clayman]

Exponentially more difficult is the exact reason the tee was abandoned.

[Patrick_Mucci]

Tim Bert,

Even if a high tee were equidistant, I think the influence of the WIND would make the upper tee more difficult.

You're sheltered on the lower tee, you're buffeted on the upper tee.

[Tim Bert]

We did play in very low wind for two days, so I'm probably biased from that.  We didn't get anything close to the winds I've experienced at Bandon or other windy sites.  I would guess that the wind wasn't blowing more than 10 mph for more than a couple holes the entire trip.

In the wind we played, I think I would have rather had the angle from the left.  I can certainly understand the sentiments expressed by those that have experienced the real force of the wind at Sand Hills.

Anyone have an answer for my original question?  I'm still interested to know if there are other world class holes where the vast majority of shared photos are from a different angle and elevation than the teeing ground.

[Adam Clayman]

8th, 9th and 10th at Pebble

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