Some Gimmicks are Better Than Others

by Mulligan Stu on May 7, 2008 11:09 AM EDT

Tiger Woods once called the island green 17th at TPC Sawgrass "gimmicky."

And from an old-school, golf-course-architecture standpoint, maybe it is. Woods explained his statement by saying that he had no problem with island greens, he just felt this one comes too late in the round. (Giving a single hole - a single shot, really - too much emphasis.)

That hole wasn't the first island green, and architects have gone a little island green-crazy since then (there's even one tour course - although I'm drawing a blank at the moment on which tour and which course) that finishes with two island greens in a row.

And we should all blame - or thank - Pete Dye's wife Alice, who is the one who actually suggested an island green. And keep an eye on Woods' golf course designs to see if he incorporates any island greens.

But some gimmicks are better than others. And even if the 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass really is "gimmicky," then - in this case, anyway - I'm all in favor of gimmicks.

Tiger isn't playing this week. And sad to say, but that usually causes my interest level in a tournament to go down. (I know, I know, but it does.)

But Tiger or no Tiger, I eagerly await Live@17 on pgatour.com, and watching The Players Championship coverage on the Golf Channel and NBC. And especially watching how the leaders handle that fourth-round tee shot on that gimmicky No. 17.

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"Island" greens

There is a pretty funny post at ForeRight.com about a possible protest at 17 this week. The protestors are complaining that calling the 17th at Sawgrass an "island" green is incorrect.

http://foreright-bob.blogspot.com/2008/04/breaking-protest-at-players.html

Technially, it IS a peninsula green since you can walk dry land (isthmus) to get to the green. While a protest is pretty much silly and embarrassing, the point is correct - the media has called it an island green for so long that it is just accepted as correct.

We also have to put up with broadcasters who say things like "he has not gotten UNTRACKED". This one drives me nuts. This is a railroad metaphor. Trains that get "untracked" wreck. Trains are supposed to get ON track. But what can you do ? These guys are broadcasters, not English speaking professionals. :-)

Sadly - about Live@ this week - Brian Katrek will still not be hosting. Way to go PGA Tour Productions - you pretty much blew that one. Katrek's delivery should be on network TV or xxx Golf Channel at worst. Not bringing him back for Live@ really drops the quality of the broadcast.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on May 7, 2008 11:59 AM EDT reply actions

Oh...

...I only know of two true island greens - not that there aren't more.

#14 at The Coeur d'Alene Resort in Idaho - a 15,000 sq/ft man made floating green that can be moved for different yardages and conditions.

#3 at The Punta Mita Four Seasons resort - a true island green when the tide is in. There are two greens that are played depending on conditions, but having to pull a 4-iron or more into the wind over the surf is nerve wracking and exhilerating at the same time.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on May 7, 2008 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions