Hole 17 at Golf Club of Houston (Tournament Course)

Par 4 • 487 Yards • Humble, Texas

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Brutal

The penultimate hole at Golf Club of Houston (Tournament Course) presents a formidable test of precision and power, earning its ranking as the second-hardest hole on the course. This demanding 487-yard par 4 challenges golfers with a straight, no-nonsense layout that rewards accuracy over aggression. The tee shot requires careful placement down a generous fairway, setting up a crucial approach to a small, well-defended green complex. With minimal hazards to distract, the hole's difficulty lies in its length and the premium it places on distance control into the compact putting surface. This classic risk-reward design exemplifies championship golf, demanding both strategic thinking and precise execution as players navigate toward the demanding finishing stretch.

Tees:

487y417y417y372y372y372y

Green:34y × 35y

Fairway @250y:12y wide

5 BunkersWater dogleg

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Golf Club of Houston (Tournament Course)

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Hole Stats

Par: 4
Yardage: 487 yds
Green: 6266 sq ft
Bunkers: 5
Water: Yes
Course Slope: 144
Course Rating: 76

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Strategy Tips

tee shot

With the fairway measuring just 12 yards wide at both 200 and 250 yards, accuracy is absolutely critical off the tee. Consider hitting a controlled 3-wood or long iron to stay in the short grass rather than risking driver.

hazard warning

Bunkers positioned at 242 yards create a significant strategic challenge. Plan your tee shot to either lay up short of this distance or carry well beyond to avoid these hazards.

approach

At 487 yards total length, most players will face a mid to long iron approach shot. With bunkers at 242 yards, your second shot will likely be from 245+ yards out, requiring precise distance control.

green

The generous 6,266 square foot green (34x34 yards) provides a large target for approach shots, but pin position will be crucial for scoring opportunities on this long par 4.

tee shot

The extremely narrow 12-yard fairway width at the prime landing zones means course management is essential - prioritize finding the fairway over distance to set up a manageable approach shot.

train this shot at home

This 487-yard par 4 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

When water is in play, commit to a conservative target. A bogey beats a big number every time.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best strategy off the tee?

For this 487-yard par 4, most players will hit driver to set up a comfortable approach.

How difficult is hole 17?

This hole is one of the tougher holes on the course for most golfers. Key challenges include: long par 4, water in play.

What hazards should I watch out for on hole 17?

Key hazards include: water at 208.0 yards. 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. Lag putting becomes important on longer putts.

What's a good score on hole 17?

This hole is one of the tougher holes where par feels like birdie. A challenging par 4. Accept that bogey happens and avoid big numbers.

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

Yes — many modern launch monitors and simulators include real course data for Golf Club of Houston (Tournament Course). You can play this exact 487-yard par 4 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 →