Hole 17 at TPC Sawgrass (Stadium)
Par 3 • 141 Yards • Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
Hole 17 Caddie Notes
📖Hole Architecture & Course Overview▼
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Detailed Strategy Tips
At just 138 yards, this hole demands a precise mid-to-short iron — club selection matters more than power. Take one extra club if wind is present, as the water surrounding the green punishes any shot left short.
Aim for the center of the small green (3588 sq ft, 22y x 28y) rather than attacking pins tucked near the edges. With such a compact target surrounded by water, prioritizing the safe two-putt over a risky birdie attempt is the smart play for all skill levels.
The single greenside bunker sits at 131.4 yards, just short of the putting surface — while sand is a tough spot, it's far preferable to the water that surrounds the rest of the green. If in doubt, favor this bunker over the lake.
With a green measuring only 22 yards wide by 28 yards deep, precise distance control is critical. Misjudging by even a few yards on this small target can mean the difference between a tap-in par and a lost ball in the water.
Given the short 138-yard distance, tour players use a mid-iron under calm conditions, but recreational golfers should commit fully to their club choice and swing — hesitation or deceleration on this shot is a leading cause of shots finding the water.
How to Play This Hole
Off the Tee
Pick your target before you pick your club: the smart play on the Island Green is always the center of the putting surface, regardless of pin position. This green punishes precision-seekers who chase a tucked flag along the edges — the water doesn't care how close you were trying to get. Under calm conditions this is a mid-iron for most players, but the real skill is reading the wind off the lake; it swirls unpredictably around this amphitheater setting, so when in doubt, take one more club than you think you need. A committed, full swing at a stock number beats a soft, tentative shot every time — hesitation is what turns a routine wedge into a watery disaster.
Once you're on, treat this purely as a two-putt par hole. Don't get greedy trying to jam a birdie putt at the hole if it brings a big number back into play near an edge — respect the humps and subtle breaks Dye built into this small green.
If you miss, miss short of the bunker rather than long or wide — the greenside sand on the front is actually your friend compared to the water everywhere else. A bunker shot leaves you a chance to save par; anything that clears the green or drifts off-line typically means a drop and a penalty stroke. Above all, commit fully to your line and number — the Island Green has authored as many aces as double-digit scores, and confidence is often the difference between the two.
Hole 17 Green Complex & Slope
USGS 3DEP LiDAR DEM Green Elevation Analysis
Custom Digital Yardage & Strategy Packet — TPC Sawgrass (Stadium)
Hand-crafted 18-hole strategy & yardage packet tailored for your upcoming round at TPC Sawgrass (Stadium). Includes high-resolution 2D vector hole plots, green contour notes, hazard targets, and caddie advice.
Delivered directly to your inbox within 24 hours of purchase.
Detailed Strategy Tips
At just 138 yards, this hole demands a precise mid-to-short iron — club selection matters more than power. Take one extra club if wind is present, as the water surrounding the green punishes any shot left short.
Aim for the center of the small green (3588 sq ft, 22y x 28y) rather than attacking pins tucked near the edges. With such a compact target surrounded by water, prioritizing the safe two-putt over a risky birdie attempt is the smart play for all skill levels.
The single greenside bunker sits at 131.4 yards, just short of the putting surface — while sand is a tough spot, it's far preferable to the water that surrounds the rest of the green. If in doubt, favor this bunker over the lake.
With a green measuring only 22 yards wide by 28 yards deep, precise distance control is critical. Misjudging by even a few yards on this small target can mean the difference between a tap-in par and a lost ball in the water.
Given the short 138-yard distance, tour players use a mid-iron under calm conditions, but recreational golfers should commit fully to their club choice and swing — hesitation or deceleration on this shot is a leading cause of shots finding the water.
How to Play This Hole
Off the Tee
Pick your target before you pick your club: the smart play on the Island Green is always the center of the putting surface, regardless of pin position. This green punishes precision-seekers who chase a tucked flag along the edges — the water doesn't care how close you were trying to get. Under calm conditions this is a mid-iron for most players, but the real skill is reading the wind off the lake; it swirls unpredictably around this amphitheater setting, so when in doubt, take one more club than you think you need. A committed, full swing at a stock number beats a soft, tentative shot every time — hesitation is what turns a routine wedge into a watery disaster.
Once you're on, treat this purely as a two-putt par hole. Don't get greedy trying to jam a birdie putt at the hole if it brings a big number back into play near an edge — respect the humps and subtle breaks Dye built into this small green.
If you miss, miss short of the bunker rather than long or wide — the greenside sand on the front is actually your friend compared to the water everywhere else. A bunker shot leaves you a chance to save par; anything that clears the green or drifts off-line typically means a drop and a penalty stroke. Above all, commit fully to your line and number — the Island Green has authored as many aces as double-digit scores, and confidence is often the difference between the two.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is hole 17 called 'Island Green'?
Hole 17 at TPC Sawgrass earns the "Island Green" nickname because Pete Dye designed its green as a small, isolated peninsula-like target completely surrounded by water, with no direct land access. This visually intimidating design turns a short par 3 into one of golf's most pressure-packed shots, demanding precise commitment to the center of the green since anything short or offline finds the lake.
What club should I use on this par 3?
At 138 yards, most golfers will need a short iron (9-iron to PW) to reach this green. Adjust for elevation, wind, and pin position.
How difficult is hole 17?
This hole is a moderate challenge for most golfers. Key challenges include: water in play, small green.
What hazards should I watch out for on hole 17?
Key hazards include: 1 greenside bunker; water at 105.8 yards. Plan your shots to avoid these trouble spots.
How big is the green on hole 17?
The green is small and requires precision. Expect challenging pin positions with limited room for error.
What's a good score on hole 17?
This hole is a legitimate birdie opportunity for accurate iron players. Most golfers should target par, with birdie chances if you hit the green in regulation.
Can I practice hole 17 on a golf simulator at home?
Yes — many modern launch monitors and simulators include real course data for TPC Sawgrass (Stadium). You can play this exact par 3 shot-by-shot at home. Entry-level options like the SkyTrak+ (around $2,500) and Garmin Approach R10 (around $600) support course play, while premium systems from Trackman and Foresight offer tour-level accuracy. Most systems pay for themselves in a season or two versus green fees and range balls. Shop home golf simulators →
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Hole Stats
- Par
- 3
- Yardage
- 141 yds
- Green
- 3588 sq ft
- Bunkers
- 1
- Water
- Yes
- Course Slope
- 155
- Course Rating
- 76.8
Subscribe to AllGolfHoles Substack
Free Weekly NewsletterWeekly course debuts, PGA Tour tournament previews, caddie strategy notes, and hole deep-dives by Sloane.
Read current issues at allgolfholes.substack.com