17 at Sawgrass

[Nick Spears]

Ive been seeing pictures lately of #17 and there is some sort of rope fence bordering the back side of the walk up area and continues along side the back of the green. Is there a purpose for this? Looks extremely tacky to me. Without being there in person the pictures seem to make it less daunting from the tee.

[Anthony_Nysse]

Traffic control. Not sure it makes it any less daunting.

www.tpcsawgrassagronomy.com/2014/11/the-players-stadium-17-walk-bridge.html

[Cody Carroll]

Yeah believe me, it is still just as daunting especially with a back right pin. I hit in the water twice in a tournament, both shots landing within 12 feet of the hole. I made a six on my way to an awful 78. With that said, I think that the short par 3 with trouble everywhere isn't used enough. I feel that it is such a good test especially late in the round and it doesn't necessarily have to be an island green either. I think the postage stamp at Troon is a good example of such a hole.

[Matthew Rose]

I've always wondered why it was built that way to begin with (a land walkway) instead of a true island with a separate bridge.

[Joe Hancock]

Matthew,

Getting maintenance equipment to the green is much easier as configured.

Joe

[noonan]

I am 1 under par for 2 rounds on 17. It was a stock 8 iron with no wind. if there is any wind present it would be a tiny target.

No way I have the balls to aim at the right side of the green. Just left of the trap where you have your best chance.

[noonan]

Visually while on the tee of 17 - I believe you really cannot see much of the green surface except the front left. It handcuffs you as if the target is much smaller than it actually is.

[Cody Carroll]

Visually while on the tee of 17 - I believe you really cannot see much of the green surface except the front left. It handcuffs you as if the target is much smaller than it actually is.

Yeah that's what makes it an intimidating hole. The right pin looks like the green is 5 yards deep. It makes it very tough to commit to the tee shot. In my opinion It makes it that much better.

[Daniel Jones]

I hit in the water twice in a tournament, both shots landing within 12 feet of the hole. I made a six on my way to an awful 78.

I've got you beat here, Cody. Fanned two 8-irons right of the Sunday pin and then my 3rd found the rough near the bunker, all en route to a cool 8. The guy in the clubhouse said it was the highest score he'd ever engraved on the souvenir bag tag. I keep it on my bag as a humble reminder  I also put up a 78 that day, which beat my previous low there by 10, so in the end there was no complaining from yours truly.

[Cody Carroll]

I hit in the water twice in a tournament, both shots landing within 12 feet of the hole. I made a six on my way to an awful 78.

I've got you beat here, Cody. Fanned two 8-irons right of the Sunday pin and then my 3rd found the rough near the bunker, all en route to a cool 8. The guy in the clubhouse said it was the highest score he'd ever engraved on the souvenir bag tag. I keep it on my bag as a humble reminder  I also put up a 78 that day, which beat my previous low there by 10, so in the end there was no complaining from yours truly.

Daniel,
Haha yeah. I feel the best part of that hole location is that it suckers you into being aggressive when you have to just hit it 20-25 feet left and 2 putt and get out. Easier said than done😬

[Lyndell Young]

Removable walkup ramp to get the golfers entry point to the green away from normal area. Also they are very strict on the rest of the holes when I last played, they have greens roped off with ingress egress opening specified. Due to high play and semi dormant turf which is easily worn down. 

[Nick Spears]

Thanks Lyndell.  I suppose its impossible for that hole to be less daunting.  I'm even after just one attempt at it. One thing I feel that TV doesn't show is the ridge that runs across it and just how much of a difference there is from back to front. I'm curious if that has always been there? I know in Tigers "better than most" putt you really see what it does. But didn't they refurbish the green a few years back? Was anything changed?