Got a chance to play tpc sawgrass as a teen. That course and that hole is still one of my most beloved experiences I’ve ever had. Kudos to these guys that designed it and the guys that maintain it
Fantastic. Thank you so very much for this. I knew a lot of it, just not all. I can only imagine what we're not seeing? Sawgrass TPC Is absolutely special. Like is mentioned. It's mental. I have hardly missed a single shot in 20 years. Talk about crack?!
Golf is so cool when you’re a nerd, I love hearing about the little details of the hole and how it has been such a pivotal and significant hole for a long time.
This is an incredible informative video and I can only profusely apologize for seeing the thumbnail and assuming that this video was about prostate exams before reading the title
great video as always in this series. i've always thought it's a little gimmicky of a way to decide a tournament that consistently has an excellent field. it'd be obviously silly if it was surrounded with out of bounds stakes instead of water. but it's no doubt iconic
Completely disagree with it being gimmicky. The mental game seems to be just as important as the golfing ability itself for pros and this is a hole that puts it to the test. Every pro can hit a wedge within 20 yards, but can you do it when the stakes are high?
9:04 I thought there was an island green at Iron Valley in Cornwall pa. It was a P.B. Dye designed course. Not sure if that counts but I know it’s a cool course.
You listed so many island greens, but the most famous non par-3 with an island green is the hole that ended Ben Hogans run at the 1960 US Open at Cherry Hills in Denver.
You neglected to mention the island green at the 17th hole on Cherry Hills in Denver. William Flynn designed the course in 1922. The 17th was the watery grave for Ben Hogan's chances to win the 1960 US Open. He was tied with Palmer when he started the 17th, but spun his 3rd shot back into the water. Playing with Hogan that round was Jack Nicklaus, who actually led on the back 9, then started 3-putting ( Nicklaus!) to finish second, 2 shots behind Palmer.
Curry Park Golf Course in Milwaukee county was designed with a island green on hole #8, it should have been a short par #3 down hill over water to a island green but because of flooding they never put the green in, I have heard that the foundation for the green was done but stopped at that point.
The hole looks EXACTLY like the cross section of an eye. It has the optic nerve, the eye body, and the cornea/lens. You're welcome, now you'll never unsee it when looking at the hole.
the one at the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club Ocean Course was actually filled in several years ago during their big redesign. locals who have played it (me) sure do miss it though!
Better than most! One of the greatest call outs in golf. Nah, island greens are not frightening. I don't know why. I've played on several island/peninsula greens, including a copy of this green. The water is always there. You play the green like _any other green_ you'd play. And you just accept if you mishit it, it's a penalty. But it's a short shot, so your margin or error is much larger. There are WAY scarier holes even on public courses, let alone something as bespoke for the Professionals as The Stadium course. I just don't see why people think about what's around the green. Yeah, it's water. Think about your target. And if you make a bad swing, you make a bad swing.
A little factual error in the bit about Fowler... not sure how that got messed up, with how iconic of a day it was. He birdied it first at the end of regulation, then again in the 3-hole aggregate playoff (which Sergio subsequently lost), then went on to sudden death with Kevin Kisner and birdied it the third time.
Never understood why some play up the difficulty of this hole beyond just obviously penal nature of a miss. It’s a very large green and a short shot, you just have to hit a decent shot or it’s a drop. It’s iconic because of the beautiful look.
No Gordon Lakes Island Views island green? I hate that it wasn’t compared. Well I guess it’s Eisenhower lakes, but Augusta Ga is synonymous with golf. So unfortunate that an iconic Augusta tee shot was left off.
This is why LIV golf will fail. The greedy, sob players who jumped ship are just ego maniacs, just like their new boss Norman or Newman or whatever his name is. It's never been about the players as much as the history and the courses that we've all grown up watching every weekend! The names may change but it's like any other sport, it's the atmosphere and the history of the teams and arenas, stadiums and fields that we come to love and cherish. The PGA needs to get it's balls together and face down these sob's.
I’d say it’s the epitome of penal golf. I like the hole very much. But this whole head game thing is overrated. That’s a penal hole no matter how short. The drop area Might actually be tougher, which is why the pro players would rather re-tee
We need MUCH more of Ron. He's a great writer, speaker, and historian of our great game.
Ron Whitten is the best in the architecture golf game, the storytelling, voice, and base of knowledge is unparalleled in the community.
I just watched an 11 minute video about a golf hole. This dude deserves every penny he earns. I could listen to him tell stories for days
love this series
These are the best, need more Ron talking courses....
Excellent video. Love the quality of your course architecture and hole by hole videos.
Got a chance to play tpc sawgrass as a teen. That course and that hole is still one of my most beloved experiences I’ve ever had. Kudos to these guys that designed it and the guys that maintain it
i'm glad you shouted out Couer D'Alenes green. one of north idahos gems
Fantastic. Thank you so very much for this. I knew a lot of it, just not all. I can only imagine what we're not seeing? Sawgrass TPC Is absolutely special. Like is mentioned. It's mental. I have hardly missed a single shot in 20 years. Talk about crack?!
Golf is so cool when you’re a nerd, I love hearing about the little details of the hole and how it has been such a pivotal and significant hole for a long time.
Man. These videos are AWESOME
This is an incredible informative video and I can only profusely apologize for seeing the thumbnail and assuming that this video was about prostate exams before reading the title
Awesome breakdown!
I would love to play that course and that hole when it matters like in a competition. Thanks for sharing this.
I knew the story of the hole, but it was great to see so many good photos.
Love these deep dives!
I love this series!
More please, love them
The springs at Borrego in borrego springs California has a true Island green on hole 9
great video as always in this series. i've always thought it's a little gimmicky of a way to decide a tournament that consistently has an excellent field. it'd be obviously silly if it was surrounded with out of bounds stakes instead of water. but it's no doubt iconic
Completely disagree with it being gimmicky. The mental game seems to be just as important as the golfing ability itself for pros and this is a hole that puts it to the test. Every pro can hit a wedge within 20 yards, but can you do it when the stakes are high?
9:04 I thought there was an island green at Iron Valley in Cornwall pa. It was a P.B. Dye designed course. Not sure if that counts but I know it’s a cool course.
Great video, once again.
You listed so many island greens, but the most famous non par-3 with an island green is the hole that ended Ben Hogans run at the 1960 US Open at Cherry Hills in Denver.
You neglected to mention the island green at the 17th hole on Cherry Hills in Denver. William Flynn designed the course in 1922. The 17th was the watery grave for Ben Hogan's chances to win the 1960 US Open. He was tied with Palmer when he started the 17th, but spun his 3rd shot back into the water. Playing with Hogan that round was Jack Nicklaus, who actually led on the back 9, then started 3-putting ( Nicklaus!) to finish second, 2 shots behind Palmer.
There is a Foot by Foot replica of this hole at Eagle Eye Golf Club in Bath Michigan.
Gary Player designed par 5 at Sun City in South Africa 😮.....island green also
Curry Park Golf Course in Milwaukee county was designed with a island green on hole #8, it should have been a short par #3 down hill over water to a island green but because of flooding they never put the green in, I have heard that the foundation for the green was done but stopped at that point.
s tier video can i get a playlist of this guy
The hole looks EXACTLY like the cross section of an eye. It has the optic nerve, the eye body, and the cornea/lens. You're welcome, now you'll never unsee it when looking at the hole.
There's a course here where I live that has a hole very similar to the 17th, I've played it once and made it on my first try
the one at the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club Ocean Course was actually filled in several years ago during their big redesign.
locals who have played it (me) sure do miss it though!
Satellite imagery shows it unchanged since the 90's
Nope, number 9 is still an island green.
9 is still an island green. I’ve played it more times than I can count
Correction 1:45, Tony Boselli hit 25 on the green, 20 in the water, 1 in the bunker, and only 4 on the collar. As spoken, Tony hit 51 shots
I’m playing a course in South Carolina next week that has an island green, Lancaster GC hole #7. And yes, I’m already thinking about it…😂
What about the island green on the par-5 15th at TPC Scottsdale?
Love ya, Ron!
Thank you!
There’s a replica in Ontario Canada that’s super fun to play. Very accurate
Felt so bad yesterday, saw someone spin it back, miss the hole by an inch, and then trickle back into the water. Tough
Better than most! One of the greatest call outs in golf.
Nah, island greens are not frightening. I don't know why. I've played on several island/peninsula greens, including a copy of this green.
The water is always there. You play the green like _any other green_ you'd play. And you just accept if you mishit it, it's a penalty. But it's a short shot, so your margin or error is much larger.
There are WAY scarier holes even on public courses, let alone something as bespoke for the Professionals as The Stadium course.
I just don't see why people think about what's around the green. Yeah, it's water. Think about your target. And if you make a bad swing, you make a bad swing.
And the 17th at Wooden Sticks in Uxbridge Ontario
Galen Hall is not in Philadelphia. It's in Wernersville, PA in Berks County.
A little factual error in the bit about Fowler... not sure how that got messed up, with how iconic of a day it was. He birdied it first at the end of regulation, then again in the 3-hole aggregate playoff (which Sergio subsequently lost), then went on to sudden death with Kevin Kisner and birdied it the third time.
a par 3 course near me has the 18th modeled after Sawgrass 17, last tim eo played there i landed within 2 fet of the hole, wont live that down
Never understood why some play up the difficulty of this hole beyond just obviously penal nature of a miss. It’s a very large green and a short shot, you just have to hit a decent shot or it’s a drop. It’s iconic because of the beautiful look.
what about the creek club island green
Kudos to Mrs. Dye for her suggestion.
No Gordon Lakes Island Views island green? I hate that it wasn’t compared. Well I guess it’s Eisenhower lakes, but Augusta Ga is synonymous with golf. So unfortunate that an iconic Augusta tee shot was left off.
They replay the same video every year 😂
The World Tour Golf Links~The Open 9 Hole #3 Is a replica of 17 at Sawgrass.
this guy is sick af
❤
9th hole at Divi Golf Aruba…..Island Green. says 1 fool and a boat.
Great job of downplaying Alice Dye’s role!
2:18 Donald Trump-inspired design...
The only annoying thing is thats is not the 18th
I wish the tree was more in play on this hole. Make it real difficult as you have to hit it over the tree to get to the green mwhahah
I'll take hard to read video titles for 300
This is why LIV golf will fail. The greedy, sob players who jumped ship are just ego maniacs, just like their new boss Norman or Newman or whatever his name is. It's never been about the players as much as the history and the courses that we've all grown up watching every weekend! The names may change but it's like any other sport, it's the atmosphere and the history of the teams and arenas, stadiums and fields that we come to love and cherish. The PGA needs to get it's balls together and face down these sob's.
I’d say it’s the epitome of penal golf. I like the hole very much. But this whole head game thing is overrated. That’s a penal hole no matter how short.
The drop area Might actually be tougher, which is why the pro players would rather re-tee