Hole 17 at Oakland Hills Country Club (South Course)

Par 3 • 201 Yards • Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

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Brutal

The 17th hole at Oakland Hills Country Club stands as a demanding par-3 test on Donald Ross's legendary "Monster" layout. This challenging one-shotter requires precision and nerve, embodying the strategic brilliance that has made Oakland Hills a formidable venue for major championships. The hole exemplifies Ross's philosophy of rewarding accurate shot-making while severely punishing wayward attempts.

Tees:

201y180y176y152y

Green:38y × 26y

5 Bunkers dogleg

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Oakland Hills Country Club (South Course)

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Hole Stats

Par: 3
Yardage: 201 yds
Green: 6483 sq ft
Bunkers: 5
Course Slope: 135
Course Rating: 75.5

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Recommended Gear

A hybrid or long iron makes this long par 3 far more manageable off the tee.

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Strategy Tips

tee shot

This 201-yard par-3 demands precision with your club selection - take one extra club to ensure you clear the bunkers positioned at 190.5 and 197.3 yards, which guard the front of the green.

green

The green measures 38 yards deep by 26 yards wide (6,483 sq ft), providing a generous target - aim for the center of the green rather than attacking pins to avoid the surrounding bunkers.

hazard warning

With bunkers strategically placed at 190.5, 197.3, and 201.4 yards - essentially surrounding the green at this 201-yard hole - any miss will likely find sand, making distance control critical.

approach

Since there's no fairway landing zone (0 yards from tee), this is a pure carry shot - commit fully to your club selection and swing with confidence to reach the putting surface.

green

The relatively large green size of 6,483 square feet gives you room for error - focus on two-putting rather than getting too aggressive with approach shots or putts.

train this shot at home

This par 3 is ideal for working on your long iron or hybrid. Launch monitors from $600 let you practice this exact shot with real course data from home.

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Scoring Tip

On long par 3s, hitting the green is a win — don't be afraid to take one extra club and aim center.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What club should I use on this par 3?

At 201 yards, most golfers will need a long iron or hybrid (5-iron to 6-iron) 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: long par 3, heavily bunkered.

What hazards should I watch out for on hole 17?

Key hazards include: 5 greenside bunkers. Plan your shots to avoid these trouble spots.

How big is the green on hole 17?

The green is fairly large with multiple pin positions. The green is wider than it is deep, rewarding shots that find the correct tier. Lag putting becomes important on longer putts.

What's a good score on hole 17?

This hole is a challenging par where bogey is acceptable. This longer par 3 will test your long iron or hybrid game. Par is a good score.

Can I practice hole 17 on a golf simulator at home?

Yes — many modern launch monitors and simulators include real course data for Oakland Hills Country Club (South Course). 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 →