Is The 17th Hole at TPC Sawgrass The Most Famous Golf Hole in the World?
I seldom make bold statements in my articles so the reader has the opportunity to formulate his or her own opinion. Today, however, I feel strongly about this so I will come right out and say it. The 17th at TPC Sawgrass is the most recognizable golf hole in the world.
(The 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida)
As I golfer, I could name a dozen golf holes throughout the world in just a few minutes I think are "iconic" or "legendary". I look at The Road Hole (17th) at St. Andrews, the 18th at Pebble Beach, and Amen Corner at August National (ok, that's three holes but still popular) as some of the most well known holes throughout the world but would a non-golfer recognize them? If you walked up to someone who didn't play the game and showed them pictures, which one do you think they are most likely to recognize?
Fame within the golf community is important but a golf hole being recognized by non-golfers is something you don't see often. This is not to say a non-golfer would be able to name the course, big tournament that is played there or even the hole number but I believe they would say something along the lines of, "Oh yeah, I've seen that before". Maybe they have seen it in a commercial, heard their friends talk about it or have seen the picture online but the important thing is they know it exists.
It's a hole that people will watch just to see the end result. It's golf (and sports) in its simplest form. One ball, one swing, one landing area. Some people watch just to see the best golfers in the world make a splash. Others, like myself, are watching to see how these guys do with when they face the pressure of one of the biggest stages in golf. It's about 130 yards (give or take) from tee to green, a shot golfers hit millions of times in their career and suddenly, panic sets in.
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