Hole 17 at Pinehurst Resort #8

Par 5500 Yards • Pinehurst, North Carolina

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Moderate

As the penultimate hole on Tom Fazio's "Centennial Course," the 17th at Pinehurst No. 8 sets up the dramatic finale that awaits at the iconic clubhouse. This strategic par 5 demands thoughtful course management as players navigate toward one of golf's most celebrated finishing stretches.

Tees:
500y489y464y459y
Green:28y × 29y
2 Bunkers dogleg

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Hole Stats

Par
5
Yardage
500 yds
Green
5001 sq ft
Bunkers
2
Course Slope
138
Course Rating
74.1

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Strategy Tips

tee shot

This 500-yard par 5 requires strategic positioning off the tee. With the fairway measuring 37 yards wide at the 200-yard mark but completely disappearing at 250 yards, accuracy trumps distance. Consider laying up with a 3-wood or long iron to stay within the safe landing zone.

approach

After a conservative tee shot, your second shot becomes critical on this par 5. With bunkers positioned at 363 and 365 yards from the tee, longer hitters attempting to reach in two must navigate these hazards while aiming for the relatively compact 5,001 square foot green.

green

The green measures just 28 by 29 yards, making it a challenging target for approach shots on this 500-yard hole. Given the compact putting surface of only 5,001 square feet, precision is essential whether you're going for the green in two or laying up for a wedge third shot.

hazard warning

The complete absence of fairway at 250 yards creates a strategic bottleneck that defines this hole. Players must resist the temptation to bomb driver and instead focus on finding the 37-yard-wide fairway at 200 yards to set up the best angle for their second shot.

approach

For those laying up on their second shot, position yourself short of the bunkers at 363-365 yards to leave a comfortable wedge distance to the small green. This conservative strategy often yields better scoring opportunities than attempting the risky carry over the hazards.

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This 500-yard par 5 is ideal for working on your driver accuracy. Launch monitors from $600 let you practice this exact shot with real course data from home.

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Scoring Tip

Scoring on par 5s starts with a smart second shot. Laying up to your favorite wedge distance gives you the best birdie chance.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can this par 5 be reached in two?

At 500 yards, Reachable in two for longer hitters. Consider laying up short of hazards if going for it is risky.

How difficult is hole 17?

This hole is a good scoring opportunity for most golfers.

What hazards should I watch out for on hole 17?

Key hazards include: 2 greenside bunkers. Plan your shots to avoid these trouble spots.

How big is the green on hole 17?

The green is medium-sized with moderate targets. Pay attention to pin placement when selecting your approach club.

What's a good score on hole 17?

This hole is a solid birdie opportunity with smart layup strategy. Most golfers can reach in three. Position your layup to leave a comfortable wedge.

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

Yes — many modern launch monitors and simulators include real course data for Pinehurst Resort #8. You can play this exact par 5 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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