Hole 17 - "Road Hole"

Hole 17 Map

Hole Overview

  • Par: 4
  • Length: 495 yards
  • Stroke Index: 1

Description

The Road Hole is arguably the most famous par 4 in golf. The blind tee shot over the Old Course Hotel leads to a narrow fairway, with the infamous Road Hole Bunker guarding the front left of the green and the stone wall and road lurking behind.

Strategy Tips

  • Aim over the "O" in "Hotel" on the shed for the ideal line
  • The further right the tee shot, the better angle for approach
  • Avoid the Road Hole Bunker at all costs
  • Better to miss long than short-left
  • Consider laying up if out of position

Historical Note

The Road Hole has been the scene of many dramatic moments in golf history, including Tom Watson's costly bogey in 1984 and Costantino Rocca's bunker struggles in 1995. The Road Hole Bunker is so deep and penal it's been nicknamed "The Sands of Nakajima" after Tommy Nakajima's struggles there in the 1978 Open.

Common Hazards

  • Road Hole Bunker (front-left of green)
  • The Road (behind green)
  • Stone wall
  • Out of bounds (right)

Green Reading

The green slopes significantly from front-right to back-left, making approach shots from the right side of the fairway particularly challenging. The surface is relatively small and firm, with the road and wall influencing strategy on nearly every pin position.